MU Graves-Chapple field day is Aug. 22
FAIRFAX, Mo. – The Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center Field Day, Tuesday, Aug. 22, will include a ribbon-cutting for the new facility at the center in northwestern Missouri.
MU Extension offers Direct Marketing Beef School
UNION, Mo. – Cattle producers are invited to the first-of-its-kind Direct Marketing Beef School, offered Aug. 17-18 in Union, Mo., by University of Missouri Extension livestock specialists.The two-day training follows four successful Beef Feedlot Schools over the past two years, said MU Extension state beef specialist Eric Bailey.
Perilla mint poisoning of livestock worsens during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists are getting reports of illness and death in cows and small ruminants that may have ingested perilla mint.Perilla mint, a toxic summer annual, is also known as rattlesnake weed, purple mint and beefsteak plant.Most healthy animals will eat around perilla mint if other, more palatable feed is available, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.
5 reasons you need your veterinarian more than ever during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During drought, beef producers might find a best friend in their local veterinarian, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.“Although veterinarians always provide a valuable service to animal owners, their value to livestock producers becomes increasingly important during drought, high heat and limited forage availability,” says Evans.
Helping dairy cows through extreme heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Heat waves put extra stress on livestock. A University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist advises taking specific, ongoing steps for dairy cows throughout heat waves.Heat abatement“Dairy cows become heat-stressed starting at 65 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Scott Poock, state extension specialist in veterinary medicine. “Fans should start running at that temperature and by 70 degrees, soakers should be started.”
Cover Crop Decision Tool provides choices for grazing
TROY, Mo. – Row crop farmers have a Cover Crop Decision Tool to help them decide which cover crop will work best on their farms for potential fall/winter grazing.The free online tool simplifies decision-making and reduce risks for those wanting to plant cover crops, says University of Missouri Extension specialist Charles Ellis.The Cover Crop Decision Tool is an initiative of the Midwest Cover Crops Council. Ellis serves on the council…
Now is time to use water resources available from agencies
HERMITAGE, Mo. – In the midst of drought, Missouri livestock producers face dwindling water supplies for their herds.Few options remain for this year, but producers can explore resources from local, state and federal agencies for the future, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Terry Halleran.Halleran says it is important to plan now since the application process for many programs can take six months or more.
MU Extension to hold soybean walk Aug. 8 in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Producers in northwestern Missouri can hear crop updates from University of Missouri Extension specialists Aug. 8 at the Northwest Missouri Soybean Walk.
Deciding when to green chop drought-stressed corn or turn into silage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many Missouri corn growers are unsure about when to green chop and/or ensile their drought-stressed crops. There are key points to take into consideration on both the crop and livestock side, according to University of Missouri Extension specialists.Agronomy recommendations (MU Extension state agronomy specialist Kelly Nelson):
MU Extension receives CDC funding to promote nutrition, physical activity
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has received $768,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the first year of a five-year project to tackle high rates of obesity in 10 Missouri counties. “This funding supports local programs to improve access to fresh, healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity with the goal of reducing chronic diseases,” said Terry O’Toole of the CDC’s Division of…
Turn up the flavor and nutrition by planting turnips
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may not be able to squeeze blood from a turnip, but you can easily grow this tasty and nutritious vegetable.“Turnip is an underappreciated and underused fall vegetable crop,” said David Trinklein, horticulture state specialist for University of Missouri Extension.Plant turnip seed in late summer
Webinar helps specialty crop growers with organic production
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering a nine-part webinar series on organic production of specialty crops.The series, which runs Sept. 26 to Nov. 28, begins with an overview of the organic certification process. Other topics include soil and fertility and management of weeds, insects and diseases in organic systems. There also will be individual classes on organic production of tomatoes, leafy greens and…
MU Extension to hold crop and forage chat in Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. - Producers in northeastern Missouri can hear crop and forage updates from University of Missouri Extension specialists at a free event in August.The MU Extension Crop and Forage Chat will be 9-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Shawn Kiefaber/Kenny Lovelace Farm, 1 mile west of Palmyra, off U.S. 61 on County Road 318. In the event of rain, the event will move to the fairgrounds livestock barn at Flower City Park, 1000 W. New…
MU Extension offers help for crops, livestock and people during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought. You're either in it, preparing for it or recovering from it.That’s how University of Missouri Extension specialists describe the sentiments of farm families facing yet another year of uncertainty.“Missouri stands at the precipice of its fourth significant drought in six years,” says Rob Kallenbach, associate dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
If you still have grass, grow now, graze later
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Small pockets of Missouri pastures may have gone unscathed by 2023 drought. Those lucky enough to have grass should consider stockpiling tall fescue, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.
Incentive funds for cover crops and silvopasture available
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture has announced that about $2 million in initial funding will be available for Missouri producers interested in using cover crops or silvopasture approaches on their farmland.
Our Community, Our Health: learning from local voices
BENTON, Mo. – Maude Harris really wants to know what people in Scott County think about the COVID-19 vaccine and other community health measures.
Now is time for 911 emergency forages
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought. BOONVILLE, Mo. – Forage producers searching for options amid sustained drought should consider emergency forages, says Todd Lorenz, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.The drought is not going away and producers need to find a way to fill feed gaps, he says. Three years of back-to-back drought leave producers searching for…
Drought meetings offered in SW Missouri Aug. 4
GALENA, Mo. – Poor forage stands carried over from last year’s drought, lower hay yields, less fertilizer used and a drought again for 2023 have created major uncertainty in the Missouri beef industry.These challenges will affect livestock producers preparing to feed cattle this winter with little forage and hay on hand, says Tim Schnakenberg, a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist based in Galena.
Avoid 'ASF fatigue' during pig showing season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the summer fair season ramps up, biosecurity should be top of mind for those who show animals, especially in the case of swine, where keeping African swine fever out of the country is a top goal. University of Missouri Extension veterinarian Cory Bromfield said she’s noticed less concern overall about African swine fever (ASF) among pork producers and those who show pigs. She calls it “ASF fatigue.”
Early weaning calves to reduce nutrient needs during drought
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Early wean calves to reduce cow herd nutrient needs to match drought-limited feed resources,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In addition, early weaning can improve calf performance because calves are put on a more nutritious diet following weaning.Davis discusses strategies to help cattle producers be successful in early weaning calves:
Seed for an 'annual pasture within a perennial pasture'
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers looking for ways to grow forages during drought might consider planting an “annual pasture within a perennial pasture,” says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann.Naumann says this is a good year to add cool-season annual grass seed to perennial pastures. Cool-season grasses can extend the growing season, provide excellent nutritive value and complement thin pastures.
MU Extension Better Process Control School now free for first 25 Missouri attendees
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold an in-person Better Process Control School (BPCS) training for food processors Aug. 1-3, and the first 25 people to sign up will now be enrolled for free.
Use caution when using drought-stricken corn for relief feed
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought. COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some drought-stricken corn may have more value as cattle feed than grain this year.Droughty corn offers options when feed supplies are tight, but producers should think the process through, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz.There are three main things to do before deciding to use droughty…
Benton County to host 2023 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities
This year’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference, Sept. 20-21 in Benton County, will provide several days of learning about rural innovations for leaders with an eye on business growth. Participants will tour businesses in Cole Camp, Warsaw and Lincoln.