Image
Learn how to bulletproof your beef operation at Feb. 20 event in Clever
GALENA, Mo. – The Christian County Livestock & Forage Conference is 6-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the First Baptist Church, 105 Kennedy Ave., Clever, Mo. A free barbecue dinner will be provided compliments of program sponsors, including Bank of Billings, Christian County Farm Bureau, Christian County Soil & Water Conservation District, Earlybird Feed & Fertilizer, Nixa Hardware and Seed Co., Phillips Veterinary Services…
Image
Cyclamen: the houseplant with an amorous history
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The cyclamen is Cupid’s flowering love child. For centuries, people have associated cyclamens with matters of the heart, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day choice, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Image
Flowering bulbs brighten spring gardens
STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – Few things thaw feelings of winter’s cold more than spring flowering bulbs, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Katie Kammler. Spring bulbs are Nature’s way of rewarding gardeners for their work in fall, providing early color and blooms before most annuals and perennials. While spring is their time to shine, bulbs need cool weather to flower. They require a chilling period after being…
Image
Missouri 4-H'ers compete in public speaking at Western National Roundup
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two Missouri 4-H members competed in January at the 2025 Western National Roundup Public Speaking Contest, an annual event held in tandem with the Western National Stock Show in Denver. This year, Marah Greiman of Marion County and Alyssa Thornhill of Adair County competed in prepared and impromptu speaking. Thornhill placed fifth overall in impromptu speaking at the contest, said Megan Kershner, state 4-H leadership…
Image
Four-state beef conference planned in Kansas, Arkansas
PARSONS, Kan. – Extension staff from four Midwestern universities will present information on beef cattle production, marketing, economics, nutrition and forage utilization at a conference held at two locations in February.
Image
Time to rethink deworming the beef herd
SALEM, Mo. – The use of commercial livestock dewormers has paid off in terms of animal health and productivity, but it has also resulted in resistance among parasite populations. “As dewormers lose effectiveness, producers need to develop a broader strategy for managing internal parasites in their livestock,” said Eric Meusch, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. Resistance to deworming products
Image
Benefits of beef cow leasing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Leasing instead of purchasing cows can be an effective financial strategy for cow-calf producers. A new publication by University of Missouri Extension specialists, “Introduction to Beef Cow Leases,” details how beef cow leases work. It is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g434.
Image
Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference is Feb. 27
STOCKTON, Mo. – Pastures and cattle management are very important to the profitability and sustainability of cattle operations in Cedar County and the surrounding areas,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Education to manage these aspects of your cattle operation properly could enhance its profitability.
Image
Spring Garden Seminar is March 1 at Missouri River Regional Library, Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in Cole County and Central Missouri Master Gardeners will host a free daylong spring gardening seminar March 1 at Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City.
Image
Give Valentine's Day flowers some TLC
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valentine’s Day flowers, like love, can stand the test of time if given a little TLC. Call it flor-amore. Proper care and a homemade preservative provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice as long, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Image
Warm-season grass workshop is Feb. 11 in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Forage growers can learn how to improve pastures with warm-season grasses at a free workshop Feb. 11 in Mount Vernon, Mo. University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg said the workshop focuses on warm-season grass options suited to southwestern Missouri.
Image
Mo. Blueberry School is Feb. 21-22
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Registration is now open for the 2025 Missouri Blueberry School. The event, Feb. 21-22, offers updates on diseases, soil health, pruning and other issues related to commercial blueberry production. The Feb. 21 classroom session will be at the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield. Speakers include horticulturists from University of Missouri Extension, University of Arkansas and Missouri State University. There also…
Image
American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop is Feb. 28 in St. Clair County
OSCEOLA, Mo. – February is Lamb Lovers Month, as designated by the American Lamb Board. In recognition of this, University of Missouri Extension in St. Clair County will host the American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in Osceola. The event aims to foster connections between producers and consumers, said David Brown, MU Extension sheep and goats specialist.
Image
Beef conference focuses on how to feed for better herd health, profits
MONETT, Mo. – Forage and livestock producers in southwest Missouri will hear how to make the most of their feed to improve herd health and boost profits at the first Monett Beef Conference and trade show on Feb. 18. The free event is 6-9 p.m. at the Scott Regional Technology Center, 2 David Sippy Drive, Monett.
Image
Missouri 4-H livestock judging team in top 10 at Western National Roundup
DENVER, Colo. – Missouri 4-H was well-represented at the 2025 Western National Roundup Livestock Judging Contest, held in Denver, Colo., on Jan. 10. The Livingston County team placed sixth out of 25 competing teams.
Image
A Century of Growth: Celebrating Missouri 4-H families
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation proudly celebrates seven families as recipients of the 2024 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. This award recognizes families who have collectively dedicated 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service to the Missouri 4-H program, showcasing their profound impact on youth development and community enrichment. 2024 Century Family Award recipients: Cass County • The Caldwell Family
Image
Frost seeding legumes improves pastures several ways
LINNEUS, Mo. – Adding diversity to a pasture can make it more productive than growing tall fescue alone. Diversity can also aid in reducing or diluting the effects of fescue toxicity, improve nutritive value of forage, increase weight gain and enhance soil health, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts.
Image
Wright County Ag Conference set for Feb. 7 in Mountain Grove
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – The Wright County Ag Conference, presented by University of Missouri Extension, is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Mountain Grove Senior Center, 700 E. State St., Mountain Grove. “This conference aims to equip livestock producers with knowledge on how to recover and prepare for the best forage growth going into spring as well as tips on preparing their cattle herd for spring breeding,” said Chloe Collins, MU…
Image
Are there opportunities to cut fertilizer costs in 2025?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension economist Ben Brown and others predict 2025 corn prices will drop below $4.50 per bushel. This is one of a series of articles by University of Missouri Extension specialists suggesting ways to reduce input costs in a year that many farmers may struggle to keep production costs below the price of corn.
Image
Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference is Feb. 28
VIENNA, Mo. – The Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference, presented by University of Missouri Extension specialists, is Friday, Feb. 28, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 206 Sixth St., Vienna.
Image
Cattle recordkeeping system for success
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As a new year begins, cattle producers may find value in looking back at the previous year to evaluate the operation’s productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In this previous year’s evaluation, cattle producers should evaluate their recordkeeping system and determine if it was successful or if changes are needed.
Image
10 ways to manage high input costs in 2025
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Wayne Flanary says 2025 likely will be a year when corn producers need to batten down the hatches to offset low sale prices and high input costs. MU Extension ag business economist Ben Brown and others predict that corn prices will fall below the $4.30 mark by the end of 2025, a marked drop from $6.54 per bushel in 2023.
Image
'Growing Success' webinar series supports food and farm entrepreneurs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Small-scale food and farm entrepreneurs face unique challenges with business planning and marketing. To help meet these needs, University of Missouri Extension is launching “Growing Success: Marketing and Business Development for Small Farms.” Running throughout March, this evening webinar series is designed to equip attendees with practical skills and resources for success.
Image
MU studies how varieties, seed treatments reduce SCN
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soybean growers can’t rely on seed treatments alone to combat soybean cyst nematode (SCN), says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish.
Image
Stone County Livestock and Forage Conference is Feb. 6 in Crane
CRANE, Mo. – The 94th Stone County Livestock and Forage Conference is 6-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the First Baptist Church, 30 Hallelujah Ave., Crane, Mo. “This long-running conference will continue to equip livestock producers to better manage their operations, stay economically viable and provide quality beef products for our nation,” said Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.