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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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'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.
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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.
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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.
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Prepare for a successful calving season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “When planning for a successful calving season, plan for everything that might happen with the goal of the cow giving birth with little difficulty to a healthy calf,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Furthermore, manage cows to provide adequate quality and quantity of nourishment to the calf and rebred during the next breeding season.
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Douglas County Livestock and Forage Conference set for Jan. 28 in Ava
AVA, Mo. – The Douglas County Livestock and Forage Conference is 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Ava General Baptist Church, 213 E. Webster Ave. in Ava, Mo. “This conference will equip livestock producers to better manage their operations, stay economically viable and provide quality beef products for the public,” said Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
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Missouri 2025 Ag Outlook shows road ahead
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri experts have released the Show-Me 2025 Missouri Agricultural Outlook, which shows a mixed outlook for Missouri’s crops and livestock and the challenges and opportunities ahead. The report is available at https://mizzou.us/MAO25.
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Learn to sell at farmers markets in March
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you have always wanted to sell produce and other goods at the local farmers market but didn’t know where to begin, University of Missouri Extension can help. MU Extension field specialist Eli Isele and other extension professionals will teach a five-part online series in March on “Selling at the Farmers Market.” The class, held via Zoom, is noon-1 p.m. March 10-14.
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Taney County Livestock and Forage Conference to equip producers for success
FORSYTH, Mo. – Livestock producers in Taney County and the surrounding region are invited to attend the 2025 Taney County Livestock and Forage Conference. This free educational event will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help livestock producers improve their operations. The conference is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Forsyth High School, 178 Panther Road, Forsyth.
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MU Extension calls for speakers for Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension invites dynamic speakers and facilitators to share their expertise at this year’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Excelsior Springs.
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Drought requires move from 'brittle' to 'flexible' management
MONROE CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says cattle producers should plan for drought by moving from a “brittle” management style to a flexible and resilient one.
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Genetics for a better cow herd
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Improving fertility in cows involves leveraging genetic selection and advanced genomic tools to enhance reproductive performance. But genetic potential is only half the battle. Environment is the other half, said University of Missouri Extension state beef genetics specialist Jamie Courter at the recent Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville.
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Show-Me State shows strong growth
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s economy surged ahead in the third quarter of 2024. The state’s gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 3.8%, outpacing the U.S. average of 3.1% and ranking 16th nationwide for economic growth during the quarter.
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Private pesticide applicator training offered Jan. 28 in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer in-person private pesticide applicator training in Springfield on Jan. 28.
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Do fungicides pay off in soybean?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fungicides can be an essential part of an integrated pest management plan, but they do not always provide a positive return on investment for soybean producers, according to University of Missouri strip trial research.
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Gardening boosts your immune system
We tend to think about our immune system more during the cooler months, as they coincide with cold and flu season. Research shows that gardening can naturally boost the immune system, making it a great way to stay healthy year-round. Three ways gardening helps our bodies fight off illness and infection are: 1. Increased movement