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Corn planting pops at MU Hundley-Whaley Center
ALBANY, Mo. – Things are popping at University of Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center in Albany. The center’s soils are rich for growing field corn, sweet corn and popcorn. For more than a decade, popcorn has been an intriguing and popular favorite in the northwestern Missouri farming community.
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Crop conference speaker shares research on how bigger equipment can mean smaller yields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – An Iowa State University biosystems engineer will explain how bigger is not always better when it comes to farm equipment during the 2024 University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 4-5 in Columbia. MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley, who heads the annual event, said Mehari Tekeste will talk about how big equipment causes soil compaction that reduces crop yield due to reduced water infiltration and…
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October Pork Month and biosecurity go hand in hand
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The safety of the U.S. pork supply is achieved through biosecurity protocols not only during National Pork Month in October but every day of the year to safeguard animal health, food safety, the environment and the economy. University of Missouri Extension’s Swine Team educates pork producers and workers on safety protocols throughout the year, working with industry partners, said Magdiel Lopez, MU Extension state swine…
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Free winter cattle feeding, pasture management workshop Nov. 21 in Lockwood
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As cattle producers prepare for winter, nutritional management and hay feeding are important topics,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Depending on availability of forage resources, some cattle producers may be meeting animal nutrient needs with new supplement strategies. Since hay and supplementation are expensive, efficient utilization to meet animal nutrient needs is…
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Applying nitrogen to forages now is high risk, low reward
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote fall forage growth has passed, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. Applying now does not promote growth and may increase the risk of forages accumulating nitrate.
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Learn to 'Jump-Start Your Farm' at MU Extension webinar
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – If you’ve been thinking about getting into farming, University of Missouri Extension’s upcoming “Jump-Start Your Farm” webinar will help you gain insight into what to do before purchasing a farm property or starting an agricultural-related business, says horticulture specialist Justin Keay. The webinar is 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19.
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Celebrate Pork Month by considering value-added production
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The average Missourian eats 63 pounds of pork each year. “If you’ve thought about supplying pork to Missouri markets but haven’t decided for sure, then Intel for Ag (www.intelforag.org) can help,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension state specialist and Intel for Ag contributor.
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Nov. 8 event offers fun learning for women in ag
GREEN CASTLE, Mo. – The Northeast Missouri Women in Agriculture event, Nov. 8 in Green Castle, offers fun and facts for women wanting to improve their gardens, forests and farms. University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Jennifer Schutter says one timely topic will disaster preparedness. MU Extension community development specialist Darla Campbell will give practical tips on how to plan for and survive a natural disaster.
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National Forest Products Week presentation and panel discussion Oct. 24
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forestry faculty from the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources will share findings of their recently published report showing wood products can play an important role in long-term carbon storage. A presentation and panel discussion will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in room 123 of the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building on the MU campus.
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Topics to discuss before incorporating conservation into your land lease
FORSYTH, Mo. – Despite the benefits of conservation practices on farmland, differing goals and expectations can create tension between landowners and tenants when talking about incorporating them into a land lease. According University of Missouri Extension agribusiness specialist Jacob Hefley, thoughtful conversations and clearly outlined provisions between the two parties can ease this tension.
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Midwest Crops Conference set for Jan. 21-22
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Midwest Crops Conference promises updates from three Midwestern universities on ways to improve farm yields and profits in 2025. “This conference offers a comprehensive exploration of current and critical crop topics,” says Denice Ferguson, agricultural business and policy specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
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Registration open for Great Plains Growers Conference
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Registration is now open for the 2025 Great Plains Grower Conference, Jan. 9-11 on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. The three-day conference draws vegetable, fruit, flower and specialty crop growers from across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Nebraska, says Denice Ferguson, an agricultural business and policy specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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Free winter cattle feeding and pasture management workshop set for Nov. 12 in Lamar
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As cattle producers prepare for winter, nutritional management and hay feeding are important topics,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
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Big changes for private pesticide applicators coming in 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Big changes are coming for private pesticide applicator training next year. University of Missouri Extension private pesticide applicator training coordinator Rusty Lee says extension specialists will hold workshops across the state after Jan. 1, 2025, to train those who apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) on owned or rented property. New federal rules change the requirements to earn a private pesticide applicator…
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Seal your home to keep insects from spending the winter with you
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You aren’t the only one getting cozy for fall. While you are pulling out the flannels, insects are looking for a place to be snug as a bug in a rug for the winter. “Over the next few weeks, it is critical to ensure your home is properly sealed to avoid insect roommates this fall,” says Emily Althoff, University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist.
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MU workshop teaches how to find food and money in the forest
GRAVOIS MILLS, Mo. – Learn how to find food and make money in the woods during a forest farming workshop 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in Morgan County. University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Joni Harper says attendees will learn about forest management and how to make an enterprise budget for a small acreage.
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Free soils workshop offered Nov. 6 in Tuscumbia
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and Lake Area Master Gardeners will offer a free 90-minute training on “Understanding Your Soil Needs” on Nov. 6 in Tuscumbia. “This comprehensive in-person class will help you improve your land’s productivity,” says Rudra Baral, MU Extension agronomist. “Whether you’re a farmer, gardener or landowner, you’ll gain practical knowledge and learn hands-on techniques to improve soil health…
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Pumpkin: An ancient vegetable still in vogue today
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This fall, millions of Americans will purchase a vegetable they, unfortunately, are very unlikely to eat, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In the United States, this colorful member of the gourd plant family is used primarily for decoration, but many people throughout the world use pumpkin as a staple in their diets, Trinklein said.
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Early grape harvest in Missouri in 2024: low yield but high quality
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s grape harvest this year is, for the most part, early throughout the state. The reason for the early harvest is the low crop yield, which is mainly due to frost last spring, according to Dean Volenberg, interim director of the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute and viticulture program leader. “The good news is the grape quality is very high this year; it should be a very good vintage,” Volenberg…
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New location, new diseases top 2024 MU Crop Management Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Leading agricultural experts will give updates to improve the bottom line at the annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 4-5 at a new location, the Columbia Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center.
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MU Extension offering value-added food safety training
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering three different food safety training workshops through early November to help food processors add product value and meet safety requirements. All events will be in person at the Eckles Event Center on the MU campus in Columbia. Oct. 17-18: Applied Food Safety Microbiology Training
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Received a strange text? Be vigilant against 'smishing'
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Smishing, a combination of “SMS” and “phishing,” is a type of cyberattack that targets individuals through SMS or other forms of text messages.
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Youths gather for State 4-H Public Speaking Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H’ers from across the state recently participated in one of Missouri 4-H’s oldest competitions: the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Held Sept. 28 in Columbia on the University of Missouri campus, the event drew 59 youths from 25 counties.
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Rebuild your cow herd with proper heifer development
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Proper heifer development is key to a successful cattle herd and profitable operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. As herds rebuild from drought or old cow turnover due to favorable prices, heifer development is taking place to build the next cow herd. Also, as cattle producers look to buy replacement heifers, this can be a way to add value to your cattle operation.
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All Breed Performance Tested Bull Sale is Oct. 28 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – “When buying a bull, it is important to look at performance and genomics when selecting the next herd sire,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.