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Boone County Master Gardener training begins Jan. 23
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Is becoming an Extension Master Gardener on your list for the New Year – or on the wish list of someone you know? University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners 2025 training begins Jan. 23 in Boone County.
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MU Extension commercial pesticide applicator training begins in January
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Commercial pesticide applicator training by University of Missouri Extension for 2025 begins in January.
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MU Extension offers vegetable production series
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer a seven-part webinar series in January and February on how to manage vegetable crops for maximum yield. The series runs 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 25, 2025.
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Free webinar explores funding for small farmers, food producers
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a free webinar to explore grant, loan and cost-share opportunities for small farm and food business operators. The webinar is 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.
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Results from fall SW Mo. Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Days
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is important for reproductive performance and profitability of the cattle operation to identify bulls that are not sound breeders and replace them prior to the breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This is the goal of the Southwest Missouri Fall Bull Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) Days, which also educate cattle producers on bull management for a successful…
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SW Mo. ag experts answer questions online Dec. 12
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Do you have a burning question about agriculture, but you’re not sure who to ask? At noon Thursday, Dec. 12, University of Missouri Extension specialists in agronomy, horticulture, livestock and business will answer individual questions in a breakout-style online program.
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Pick up the 2025 Redbook at your local MU Extension center
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Recordkeeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis urges cattle producers to consider purchasing the 2025 pocket-size “Redbook” to aid in their recordkeeping. The books are available at county MU Extension centers for $8 per copy.
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Learn about corn leafhopper during MU Crop Management Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Those attending the 2024 University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 4-5 in Columbia, can learn about corn-damaging insects affecting crops in Missouri. The two-day event is at a new location, the Columbia Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center. MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida will give an update on corn leafhoppers, small insects found Missouri corn crops for the first time in 2024.
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New associate vice chancellor for MU Extension and Engagement named
A message from University of Missouri Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Chad Higgins. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Washburn as the next associate vice chancellor for extension and engagement at the University of Missouri. Dr. Washburn will provide academic leadership and direction for the educational programs and initiatives that advance the mission of MU Extension and Engagement.
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SW Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale results
STOCKTON, Mo. – Strong sale with record prices were seen at the Southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards on Nov. 15, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This sale had eight consignors sell 112 heifers for an average price of $3,205 per heifer. Compared to the fall 2023 sale, the sale average was $299 higher per heifer and 27 more heifers were…
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Missouri 4-H team takes third at national livestock judging contest
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Missouri 4-H was well-represented at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 19. The team from Clinton County placed third out of 29 teams. The team included Beau Ann Graves, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan and Jorja Ebert. The team was coached by Shane Bedwell and Cody Sloan.
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Three steps to prepare for winter feeding of livestock
SALEM, Mo. – Now is a good time to review winter feeding plans, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. “Forage growth has come to an end, so making sure producers have what they need to feed their livestock though the winter is important,” Meusch said. “These three basic steps and a sharp pencil can help them determine if they are ready for winter.” 1. Determine animal needs
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Soybean disease on agenda of 2025 Midwest Crops Conference in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – At the Midwest Crops Conference, growers can learn about a soybean disease confirmed for the first time in Missouri. The two-day event is Jan. 21-22, 2025, at Stoney Creek Hotel in St. Joseph. University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish will discuss how red crown rot disease can significantly affect soybean yields.
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4-H meat evaluation volunteer workshop
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The inaugural University of Missouri Extension 4-H Meat Evaluation Volunteer Workshop held on Saturday, Nov. 2, drew nearly a dozen volunteers from across the state.
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Nut with two names comes out of its shell during holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Given most nuts ripen late in the year, they have long been associated with the holiday season,” said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. It also is one of the few times when consumers see what nuts looks like in nature. Most often, nuts are purchased with their shells removed and ready for use. One of the nuts likely found in the bin or bag of mixed nuts at a supermarket is…
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Help for the holidays from MU Extension
Are you ready for the winter holidays? University of Missouri Extension can help! Don’t be cowed by turkey. Roasting a big bird isn’t that hard if you plan ahead:
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Register now for January online Extension Master Gardener training
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardening is an activity with many rewards, says Debi Kelly, state Master Gardener coordinator for University of Missouri Extension. MU Extension offers online training for those who can’t take the weekly classes in person. The spring session runs Jan. 19 to May 31, 2025.
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Turkey triumph: Master the perfect Thanksgiving bird
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Don’t be intimidated by the the prospect of cooking a big Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not that difficult, even for novice cooks, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. First, make sure you have enough bird, says Tammy Roberts. If you’re hosting a large group, get at least 1 pound of whole turkey per person, especially if you want leftovers. If you don’t want leftovers or are cooking a turkey…
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Grant aims to share pest management information with more diverse audience
The University of Missouri’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen its reach to diverse clientele with sustainable pest management practices. The grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture aims to enhance the ability to get important pest management information out to clients who need it.
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New MU weather station measures soil moisture in forest
A new weather station at Echo Bluff State Park in Shannon County marks the 46th station in the Missouri Mesonet, the state’s expanding weather station network. University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor says the location was chosen in part to more closely monitor weather conditions in forested environments.
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Squash: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride at Thanksgiving
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Squash usually takes a back seat to sweet potato, cranberry and pumpkin in modern-day Thanksgiving meals. Yet squash is rich in both history and nutrition, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. The Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe members enjoyed squash at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 in Plymouth colony. The Narragansett tribe called the food “askutasquash,” which means “eaten raw,”…
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Excelsior Springs to host 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Excelsior Springs will be the host city for the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference, an annual event organized by University of Missouri Extension. Annette Kendall, CEC chair and MU assistant extension professor, says the 2025 theme is “The Re-Conference. Refresh. Revive. Retool.”
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Forage, cattle producers embrace change in move from Colorado to Missouri
NEW BOSTON, Mo. – Tad and Kim Carnahan knew where one of their first stops would be after their move from Colorado to Missouri. The lifelong learners turned to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin and agronomy specialist Valerie Tate for help in setting up their new Missouri cattle and forage operation. The local extension center became their one-stop shop for learning. “We try to absorb everything,” Tad…
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MU specialist discusses policy, markets, budgets at crop conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and crop advisers attending the University of Missouri Extension Crop Conference will hear what to expect in agriculture in 2025. Ben Brown, MU Extension specialist in risk management, will look at what lies ahead in crop markets, input costs and agricultural policy during the Dec. 4-5 conference in Columbia.
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Buying corn silage to feed beef cows in winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey. “But I have received numerous inquiries from cattlemen interested in using corn silage as a winter…