NE Missouri couple learns about forestry on 55th wedding anniversary
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A forestry field day might seem like an unlikely place to spend a wedding anniversary, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Brian Schweiss. But a northeastern Missouri couple thought it sounded like “a good outing to someplace we had never been before” to celebrate 55 years of a marriage as strong as the forest’s trees.
Project helps reduce Missouri feral hog population by 65%
SALEM, Mo. – Kevin Crider knows a troublemaker when he sees one, whether it be two-legged or four-legged.
Test for soybean cyst nematode this fall
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Oct. 2 is National Nematode Day and marks a good time to test fields for soybean cyst nematode (SCN), the No. 1 pathogen of soybean in the United States.“We anticipate the highest SCN levels to occur at the end of the season. Identifying problematic areas this fall can help with 2024 planting decisions,” said Mandy Bish, University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist and director of the SCN Diagnostics clinic.
Average first frost about 2 weeks away in northern Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s northernmost counties could soon see the first frost of fall, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor.Although near-freezing temperatures are not currently in the forecast, daily temperature normals are dropping about one-half degree daily, and daylight is dwindling at a rate of 2-3 minutes less per day.
MU Extension studies loneliness in rural areas
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Montana State University is partnering with University of Missouri Extension and the MU Department of Psychological Sciences to research the connection between loneliness and mental health in agricultural workers and rural residents. The study will increase understanding of how isolation contributes to the mental health crisis in rural communities, with the goal of providing insights into targeting future interventions.
MU Extension selects Lake area leaders as co-chairs for Elevate women's event
LAKE OZARK, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension regional economic development specialist Ashley Brown announced the 10 community co-chairs for “#Elevate: An Empowering Experience for Women.”#Elevate, set for March 2, 2024, at The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, is designed to educate and connect women to one another and themselves, Brown says.
Women in dairy invited to Sept. 12 lavender tour in Centralia
CENTRALIA, Mo. – Women involved in the dairy industry are invited to attend an on-farm field trip to learn more about lavender production.The University of Missouri’s Women in Dairy group is scheduled to tour and smell the lavender fields at Battlefield Lavender in Centralia 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.“Lavender production holds the opportunity to supplement your income or at minimum lift your spirits,” says MU Extension dairy…
Elevating Excellence: 2023 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inductees
SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H community honored the 2023 inductees into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame in August at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.
Classes on Missouri farm leases offered in September
MEXICO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialists will offer a program on Missouri farm leases in September. Participants may attend Sept. 12 or Sept. 13 in person at sites throughout the state or through Zoom.
Missouri Steer Feedout
Are you a cattle producer that has a small number of cattle but wants to experience feeding cattle in the feedyard, evaluate your cattle’s feedyard performance, and determine whether your cattle meet certain targets at slaughter that influence their profitability? Then consider enrolling steers in the Missouri Steer Feedout. This program is a cooperation between MU Extension, Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri…
Bull development and management for optimum breeding season performance
STOCKTON, Mo. - Bull development and management is important to promote optimum breeding season performance. Optimum breeding season performance promotes optimum herd pregnancy rates which is important to cattle herd productivity and profitability. Therefore, this article will provide tips in selection, development, and management of bulls for optimum breeding season performance.
Smoketree: A sizzling hot plant that's not just for summer
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Unlike most of Missouri’s native trees, the American smoketree displays spectacular colors throughout the growing season, says University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist Michele Warmund.American smoketree is a hardy and adaptable small tree or shrub that grows 15 to 30 feet at maturity. It thrives in full sun and in alkaline soils but tolerates slightly acidic and compacted soils.
Less is more: Time to divide and conquer perennials
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Some perennials can suffer from too much of a good thing,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.As it grows, year after year, a perennial’s growth clump, or crown, gets so big the plant begins to compete with itself for light, water and nutrients. Eventually this self-struggle leads to fewer and less showy flowers.
Cattle producers urged to watch for prussic acid poisoning
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists urge producers to closely watch cattle grazing pastures with Johnson grass and other sorghum species.Cattle producers in several drought-stressed parts of Missouri have recently reported cattle deaths from suspected prussic acid or hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) poisoning, says Tim Evans, an MU Extension state specialist in animal health and veterinary toxicology.
46th annual Hundley-Whaley Farm, Field and Family Day is Sept. 7
ALBANY, Mo. – The University of Missouri Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center will host a Farm, Field and Family Day 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in Albany. The event is free and open to the public.
Tar spot now confirmed in about a third of Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish says tar spot of corn has spread into many new counties in 2023.Bish recently confirmed tar spot in five more counties. This brings to 31 the number of Missouri counties in which tar spot has been confirmed between 2019 and 2023.
Show-Me MO Success podcast: Caring Hearts and Hands of Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As a palliative care nurse at Boone Hospital, Jackie Reed saw families dealing with the declining health of loved ones have to make difficult financial decisions.
Garden flowers bloom all year when dried
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “The delicate, ephemeral nature of flowers undoubtedly adds to our appreciation of them,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Many literally are ‘here today, gone tomorrow.’”But flowers can be enjoyed all year long by drying them, said Trinklein, and now is the perfect time to gather the excess from our gardens and preserve them for future enjoyment.
MU Extension guide covers management of small ruminants during drought
OSCEOLA, Mo. – Producers of small ruminants have had to deal with drought in nearly every part of Missouri this year trying to keep their animals healthy.“The biggest concern in drought for sheep and goats is lack of feed for the animals,” said David Brown, the University of Missouri Extension’s new livestock field specialist in small ruminants. Drought conditions affect nutrient quality of forage, leading to weight loss in sheep and…
MU Extension to offer free webinar series on small ruminants
OSCEOLA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a free monthly webinar series for sheep and goat producers starting Sept. 26.The series will be hosted by David Brown, MU Extension small ruminant specialist, alongside other experts in small ruminant production.
$1.7 billion award makes universal broadband a reality
Last winter, University of Missouri staff and faculty in 34 counties helped residents submit 186 challenges to the Federal Communications Commission›s broadband coverage maps. Counties in Missouri organized challenge events at MU Extension offices, sharing internet connections and walking community members through the online process.
MU Extension offers self-paced vegetable production series
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer a self-paced “Conventional Vegetable Production Series” this fall.
Missouri 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In July, 49 high-school-aged youths representing the greater Kansas City area, St. Louis and Clay County experienced the 21st annual 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Cornstalks can fill forage gaps during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Grazing cornstalks or drought-stricken corn can fill feed gaps during drought, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.There are some nutritional concerns, and producers must commit to moving cattle to new pastures to successfully use cornstalks as feedstuff, but there are benefits.
Cool-season vegetables are hot choice for fall garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The recent shift to milder temperatures is a pleasant reminder that it is time for gardeners to plant cool-season vegetables, said University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein.Warm days and cool nights make conditions ideal for a second round of cool-season vegetables, Trinklein said. They most often are more flavorful than a spring crop of the same species.