Webinar series on tree crops begins in September
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – This fall, University of Missouri Extension offers a six-session webinar series, “Growing Tree Fruit, Nut Crops and Syrup Trees.” The weekly series begins Tuesday, Sept. 10, and runs 6:30-8 p.m.
Youths demonstrate speaking, presentation, artistic skills at 4-H equine event
SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstration and Youth Equine Fine Arts and Poster contests took place Wednesday, July 24, in Sedalia. Youths demonstrated their speaking, presentation and artistic abilities while sharing their equine knowledge, said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.
Garlic: secret weapon of ancient Olympians
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the world enjoys the 2024 Olympic Games this summer, the use of performance-enhancing substances will be under close scrutiny. University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein notes that garlic was given to the original Olympic athletes in ancient Greece to increase strength and stamina. Thus, this culinary staple was perhaps one of the earliest performance-enhancing agents in sports.
Immersion program provides students rural medical experience
UNION, Mo. – In June, 19 students, including nine from across the University of Missouri System, trekked to Union, Mo., for the latest Rural Immersion program. The program is a collaboration of MU Extension, the MU School of Medicine and leadership in the host cities.
MU Extension Master Gardener classes begin Aug. 7 in Maryville
MARYVILLE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener training for residents of Atchison, Andrew, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties begins Aug. 7. “The Extension Master Gardener training will help you to gain new horticulture knowledge and become a community resource for science-based information,” says MU Extension horticulturist Gwen Funk. “The training covers the benefits of gardening and provides…
MU Extension Master Gardener classes begin Aug. 12 in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener training for residents of Buchanan County begins Aug. 12. “The Extension Master Gardener training will help you to gain new horticulture knowledge and become a community resource for science-based information,” says MU Extension horticulturist Gwen Funk. “The training covers the benefits of gardening and provides opportunities to connect with fellow gardeners.”
Intel for Ag helps sow seeds for business success
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has developed a free online platform to help beginning and established producers start or grow their agriculture ventures. “Intel for Ag is a free toolbox that makes management concepts accessible and allows users to better determine what agricultural products might most suitable and sustainable for their individual success,” says Mallory Rahe, MU Extension associate professor and Intel…
Managing pinkeye in cattle
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – An abundance of flies in cow herds is being reported to University of Missouri Extension specialists this summer, increasing the likelihood of cattle health issues, including pinkeye. MU Extension livestock field specialist Elizabeth Picking estimates face flies are the biggest contributor this year to the spread of pinkeye in cattle.
Timely ag topics at free Aug. 8 event in Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists will give updates on timely topics in agriculture 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, in Palmyra. MU Extension field agronomist Nick Wesslak said topics at the free event will include diseases such as tar spot and red crown rot, drying and storage of late-planted corn, stockpiling fall forage, fall pasture weed control and frost-seeding legumes.
Ag Safety Day at Marion County Fair features speakers, demos
PALMYRA, Mo. – Marion County fairgoers can learn how to improve safety on the family farm during the annual fair at Flower City Park in Palmyra, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Nick Wesslak. Safety Day runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with demonstrations on grain bin safety from MU Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute and high-voltage safety from Northeast Missouri Electric Power…
MU Extension offers free urban beekeeping class on Aug. 1
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Heroes to Hives program will offer a free class on urban beekeeping 2:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Mosquitoes can take a bite out of outdoor fun
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - With summer rain come mosquitoes, and with mosquitoes come not just itchy bites but the risk of diseases such as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, Zika virus and yellow fever, among others, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and entomologist Tamra Reall. Prevention
Scout crops early and often for best results
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Though physically demanding and time-consuming, scouting fields for insect pests is essential to crop health, yields and profits, says University of Missouri Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. Weekly scouting during the growing season helps producers identify and manage problems for early intervention, Valmorbida says. He advises more frequent monitoring when weather favors rapid development of specific…
July 25 is Turnip Day in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There is an old Missouri saying, “On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry.” This local proverb vaulted into the national spotlight during the presidency of Missouri native Harry S. Truman, said University of Missouri Extension state specialist David Trinklein.
Mid-Missouri Master Gardener training begins Aug. 15
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener training begins Aug. 15 for mid-Missouri residents. The training is a collaboration between MU Extension in Cole County and Central Missouri Master Gardeners, says MU Extension horticulturist Dhruba Dhakal. Training includes 30 hours of online sessions and six field visits to flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, greenhouses and more in Cole and Boone Counties.
Battling Japanese beetles in your garden and flowers
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Patience and a bucket of soapy water are your best friends when fending off Japanese beetles in the garden, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall. Reall recommends tapping beetles off plants by hand and putting them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. You can also shake them off the plant into the bucket.
Grant aimed at employee satisfaction, retention for foreign labor in swine industry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new grant to University of Missouri Extension from the National Pork Board will help pork producers who rely on foreign labor through the TN visa program. The program, which is part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, allows citizens of Canada or Mexico to work in prearranged part-time or full-time jobs in the United States.
Is rained-on hay still good?
NEVADA, Mo. – Rain is always a wild card when deciding the right time to mow hay. “Pop-up showers and storms are a risk this time of the year,” says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Hunter Lovewell. This unpredictability makes it important to keep an eye on weather forecasts and understand how rainfall affects forage that is drying down but not yet baled, he says.
July 23 farm tour to showcase warm-season grasses
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a free farm tour on July 23 to highlight two successful Lawrence County farm operations that use native warm-season grasses in their forage programs.
Gardens will thank you very 'mulch' during summer heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches benefit gardens throughout the year, but they are particularly helpful during the heat of summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities: Bridging Missouri’s Rural Economic Divide
Missouri's rural communities are a mix of thriving and struggling areas, each with its unique challenges and successes. Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC), facilitated by the University of Missouri Extension, plays a crucial role in bridging these varied experiences, fostering a collaborative environment where best practices, success stories, and innovative ideas are shared.
Dealing with cattle herd anaplasmosis
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Summertime brings factors that lead to anaplasmosis in cattle operations,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Anaplasmosis can affect cattle operation performance due to calf abortions, decreased weight gain, bull infertility and animal death.
Japanese beetle numbers increasing in corn, soybean
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri corn and soybean growers are reporting growing numbers of Japanese beetles in crops in recent weeks, says University of Missouri Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. Valmorbida uses numbers from MU Extension’s Pest Monitoring Network, which gathers information from across the state
Post-drought pasture improvement takes more than rain
LINNEUS, Mo.– Heavy rainfall throughout much of Missouri on July 2 may have lessened worries about drought damage in pastures, but one good rain won’t undo the damage to mismanaged pastures during two straight years of drought, according to two University of Missouri Extension specialists based at the MU Forage Systems Research Center in Linneus.
Vaccines again? I already got these shots!
Vaccines are safe and effective tools for preventing the spread of diseases that are shared person to person. The American Association of Immunologists reminds us that each August we celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month to let everyone know which vaccines to get and how often. Some shots are given one time in our lives. Others require boosters or extra doses to make sure we stay protected against that disease.