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Child care gaps cost Missouri $869 million annually, MU Extension research finds
ST. LOUIS — Analysis from University of Missouri Extension reveals that Missouri loses an estimated $869 million annually due to child care shortages. This includes $723 million in employer costs from absentee workers and turnover along with $146 million in tax revenue that would otherwise be collected to support state and local economies.
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Plan for drought by choosing the right forage plan
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
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Early control needed for poison hemlock
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Poison hemlock, a plant that can kill livestock, is one of the first weeds to appear in Missouri pastures, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. It also can cause birth defects in the offspring of pregnant livestock, especially when eaten in its earlier growth stage by animals in their first trimester of pregnancy, says MU Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.
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Expert tips to tackle cyberbullying and protect yourself online
“One of the many reasons people may not want to connect online or use online applications is cyberbullying,” notes Joe Lear, a consultant for the University of Missouri Broadband Initiative. “Cyberbullying can have long-term consequences for the mental health of both youth and adults.
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Extension horticulturist named Conservationist of the Year
KEARNEY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Todd Higgins was recently named Conservationist of the Year by the Show-Me chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
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Severe weather resources from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As shown by recent severe weather in Missouri, emergency preparedness is crucial this time of year due to the increased risk of tornadoes and flooding, and even late-season winter storms that may hit some parts of the state, says Conne Burnham, University of Missouri Extension emergency management coordinator with the Missouri Extension Disaster Education Network.
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March is the time to plant hardy, heady, healthy cabbage and kale
COLUMBIA, Mo. – March is the ideal month to plant two of the hardiest and most nutritious vegetables a home gardener can grow easily: cabbage and kale, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Both are attractive in the garden, with colors ranging from pale green through dark blue to deep reddish purple. Flavors range from mild to strong, and both lend themselves to dishes both raw and cooked.
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Douglas County Livestock Showmanship Clinic is March 22 in Ava
AVA, Mo. – Are you interested in learning more about showing livestock? University of Missouri Extension is hosting a Livestock Showmanship Clinic at the Douglas County Fairgrounds 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 22.
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Veteran R.E.A.D.S. hosts Jason Kander
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Veteran R.E.A.D.S. Signature Speaker Series will feature Jason Kander, Afghanistan veteran, best-selling author and the 39th secretary of state of Missouri.
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Pre-breeding exams for replacement heifer selection
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – For cow-calf producers, it is ideal to have one healthy calf on the ground per cow per year. Producers should also strive to have cows that are productive in the herd for many years. On average, a cow must stay in the herd for six years for the producer to break even on that cow’s initial investment along with yearly maintenance costs.
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5 tips to protect your pet from household hazards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National Pet Poison Prevention Month in March is a good time to review how household items can endanger pets, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans. Evans lists a few things to check in your home: 1. Safely store all household items that could be a danger to your pet. Pay particular attention to bedside or tableside medications that could cause serious injury or death to your pet.
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Free soil health workshops offered in Waynesville, Owensville
University of Missouri Extension will offer free training on “Understanding Your Soil Needs” March 19 in Waynesville and April 26 in Owensville. “This comprehensive in-person class will help you improve your land’s productivity,” says MU Extension agronomist Rudra Baral. “Whether you’re a farmer, gardener or landowner, you’ll gain practical knowledge and learn hands-on techniques to improve soil health and boost crop growth.”
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Survey seeks insights from Missouri sheep, goat producers
Missouri sheep and goat producers are encouraged to participate in a survey to help shape the future of the state’s small ruminant industry. The initiative is a collaboration between University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension.
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Kick-start the gardening season by turning it inside out
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is hard to think about gardening when the weather is cool. “However, now is the perfect time to start seeds of certain garden plants indoors so they will be ready for transplant when warmer weather arrives,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein. By kick-starting the growing season, you will have flowers and produce earlier, said Trinklein.
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MU Extension holds short-term operating plan workshops
WARSAW, Mo. – If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue? Starting March 27, University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected.
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Spring cleaning for the mind, body and spirit
UNION, Mo. – Spring can be a great time to hit reset in multiple facets of life. Many think about cleaning up a messy space in their home or refreshing their natural spaces. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home but also can be for your mind, body and spirit. • Create a list of short- and long-term goals and prioritize them.
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4-H'ers shine at State Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest on March 1 drew 88 4-H members from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton. The event provided youths and their coaches the opportunity to tour the university’s facilities and learn more about its equine program from faculty and staff, said Kelsey Fuller, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Top 10 competitors, ages 8-10
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MU Extension offers webinar series on warm-season gardening
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a webinar series on growing summer vegetables 6-8 p.m. on April 8, 10, 15 and 17 to help small farmers grow warm-season crops.
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Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures and proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis feels sacrifice pastures may be needed to help in promoting forage production for the rest of the grazing season.
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Add magnesium to prevent grass tetany in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As spring and lush grass growth arrives cattle producers need to plan for prevention of grass tetany,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Grass tetany arises from a cattle mineral imbalance, so Davis suggests cattle producers use management strategies discussed below to reduce the incidence in their cattle operations.
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SW Mo. All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale is March 31 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – “The 105th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale is scheduled for March 31,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The offering consists of 37 bulls, and the breed breakdown includes 34 Angus bulls, two Gelbvieh bulls and one Balancer bull. This long-running sale put on by the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association will be held 7 p.m.
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Women in livestock webinar series starts March 25
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Pearls of Production committee is hosting five online sessions for women livestock producers across the state over the next few months. Although the content is created for women producers, all producers are welcome to attend.
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Harvest all season long with succession sowing
ST. LOUIS – With a little bit of planning, gardeners can enjoy small amounts of fresh produce throughout the season by succession sowing, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Eliza Pessereau. Succession sowing, sometimes called relay planting, means planting seeds of a particular crop at regular intervals so that the plants mature at different times.
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Regenerative ag businesses can unlock potential of direct marketing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with the Missouri Forage and Grasslands Council and the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture, will host a free, hands-on direct marketing workshop March 21 in Mount Vernon.
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Understanding grass tetany in beef cows
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’ve ever seen a cow suddenly collapse in early spring, seemingly out of nowhere, you might have witnessed a case of grass tetany, says University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.