4-H alum shares exchange trip experiences
Missouri 4-H alum Heather Vaughn sent this account of her 2019 4-H exchange trip to Costa Rica.
MU Extension to host free cattle grading workshop in Maries County
VIENNA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a free cattle grading workshop 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at South Central Regional Stockyards in Vienna.“Producers may wonder how their cattle grade as compared to others and how this affects their price,” said Anita Ellis, an MU Extension livestock specialist in Fulton. The workshop will help cattle producers determine the grade of their animals.
Show-Me MO Success podcast: Empowering women in politics
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Closing the gender gap in civic representation is the focus of the latest episode of “Show-Me MO Success,” a podcast from University of Missouri Business and Community Extension.
Cyclamen: Hearts and Flowers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The gift of hearts and flowers symbolizes the heartfelt admiration of a loved one through the sentiment of flowers. A houseplant that displays both hearts and flowers is cyclamen, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Missouri 4-H'ers compete at 2023 Western National Roundup
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Eight Missouri 4-H members competed in January at the 2023 Western National Roundup, an annual event held in tandem with the Western National Stock Show in Denver. FFA and 4-H members from 27 states competed in various categories and project areas during the four-day event.
Eggs still offer good nutritional value amid high prices
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The nutritional value of eggs remains high despite the steep rise in prices.“When considering the protein content of eggs in the diet, eggs are still pretty affordable compared to other animal protein sources,” said Sarah Wood, University of Missouri Extension state nutrition specialist.
MU Graves-Chapple Center to add building
ROCK PORT, Mo. – For more than 30 years, the University of Missouri Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center near Rock Port has provided information to help growers increase their profitability and continue to be good stewards of their land and the environment.
Free workshops to aid family succession planning
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Free farm succession planning workshops from University of Missouri Extension can help Missourians guide their family farming businesses to the next generation. To help families start the succession planning process and initiate communication, MU Extension will hold Preparing for Farm Succession Planning workshops across the state in March. Six workshops will be in-person events and one will be held online via Zoom.
Technology inches farming toward autonomy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Armchair farming may not be here yet, but it’s getting closer.“Autonomy in agriculture isn’t as far away as you think,” says Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist.Agriculture is rapidly shifting to technology that can increase land efficiency, reduce labor shortages and streamline food production, says Shannon.
SW Missouri forage conference is Feb. 21 in Springfield
The 39th annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference is set for Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.“As farmers and livestock grazers continue to deal with drought conditions and high input costs, the conference planning committee has themed the 2023 conference ‘Doing More With Less,’” said Patrick Davis, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick…
Workshop tells how and why to renovate tall fescue pastures
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forage and beef producers can learn from world-renowned forage experts the how and why of renovating toxic tall fescue pastures at a March 23 workshop in Mount Vernon, Missouri.
MU Extension launches 'Show-Me MO Success' podcast
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For more than 100 years, University of Missouri Extension has helped businesses and communities throughout the state. “Show-Me MO Success,” a new biweekly podcast hosted by MU Extension specialist Luke Dietterle, shares success stories from across Missouri.
Missouri Heroes to Hives sign-up open through February
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is taking applications from veterans for the third year of the Missouri Heroes to Hives program. The free program trains veterans in beekeeping while also addressing their mental and physical wellness, said MU Extension agronomist Travis Harper.
Best Selling Author Joins Neighboring 101 on Feb. 16
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- How would you react if your neighbors died in a murder-suicide and you realized that you did not know their names? Then you discover none of your neighbors knew their names. Would you have feelings of guilt, wondering if you could have made a difference? Would you have feelings of anger toward other neighbors for not being involved? Or would you be motivated to make a change?
Fall for strawberries, the fruit of love
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Strawberries are a delectable treat any time of year, but in February they are known as the fruit of love, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.Long before the celebration of Valentine’s Day, the strawberry symbolized love and fertility due to its shape, color and wealth of seeds on the fruit surface.
Missouri SBDC elevates business, impacts economic development
Over the past two years, a group of 22 second-stage Missouri small businesses increased sales by $10.7 million, made capital investments of $8.2 million, and added 74 jobs. These businesses were beneficiaries of research and advice from leading experts in a customized consulting program called Elevate. Targeted at second-stage businesses, Elevate is sponsored by the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with…
Four SE Missouri cattle producers recognized
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Four southeastern Missouri cattle producers were recognized recently for their contributions to the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program over more than a quarter of a century each.The four were recognized prior to the most recent Show-Me-Select sale, says Erin Larimore, University of Missouri Extension animal science research specialist.
Bridging the gap between urgent care and the ER, Innovative Medical Clinic - Jefferson City, MO
As a physician assistant in a hospital emergency room, Elochukwu “Elo” Osoego noted that most of the patients seen there — 80% to 85%, he said — did not need to be in the ER. Often, they needed services not available at urgent care and didn’t have time to wait until they could get an appointment with their primary care physician.
Forage expert gives 4 top reasons to frost seed legumes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Early February is the time to frost seed legumes into most Missouri pastures, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. Frost seeding, a method of broadcasting seeds onto frozen pastures, improves poor pastures at a low cost, Roberts says.
Weeds adapt to fight back against herbicides
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Weeds today aren’t like “what Mom used to make,” says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.
Show-Me-Select heifers average more than $2,600 per head in fall sales at Fruitland
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The market for spring calvers in the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program proved strong at fall 2022 sales, with top buyers paying in the $3,500 per head range at some sales.Buyers paid an average of $2,638 for Show-Me-Select heifers on Dec. 2 at the SEMO Livestock Sales auction in Fruitland. The average was an impressive jump from the 2021 average of $2,112, says sale coordinator Erin Larimore of University of…
Master Showman Competitions: Displaying Youths’ Hard Work
The Issue 4-H and FFA Livestock projects impact youth life skill development in motivation, responsibility, goal setting, discipline, and leadership (Anderson et al., 2015; Boleman et al., 2004; Evans, et al. 2019; Heavner et al., 2011; Rusk et al, 2003). Knowledge of husbandry and showing procedures increased the longer youth participate in the projects (Havner et al., 2011; Rusk et al., 2003).
MU Extension planning budgets can aid farmers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As farms continue to see increased input costs and fluctuating returns in 2023, proper planning and decision-making will be critical for the year ahead. Updated enterprise planning budgets from University of Missouri Extension can help producers manage costs and project revenue for their operations.
MFA Foundation gift supports rural mental health resources
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers and ranchers increasingly struggle with mental health challenges and access to resources. The state’s rural suicide rate is growing faster than in urban counties, increasing 78% between 2003 and 2017. With a four-year grant commitment from the MFA Foundation, University of Missouri Extension will have new avenues to support rural communities in need of mental health assistance.
Boost profits by frost seeding legumes now
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Add legumes to fescue and other cool-season pastures at the right time to add pounds and profits to cattle. The right time is when pastures are frozen and snow-covered, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. Snow makes the seeds easier to see. Seeding on frozen ground also lessens the chance of rutting or compacting soils.