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Plant bulbs now for a colorful spring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Springtime favorites such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths won’t greet you next year if they’re not planted in the fall. “The bulbs of spring-blooming plants need to be in the ground now so they can go through a chilling process in the winter,” said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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MU Extension takes to the skies to stamp out invasive weeds
WILLIAMSBURG, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is taking to the skies to identify and map invasive weed species in one of mid-Missouri’s prized native prairie areas. MU Extension state natural resource specialist Michael Sunde is using drone-based lidar and imagery along with satellite imagery and machine learning to make 3D maps of vegetation and land cover at Prairie Fork Conservation Area, which is in eastern Callaway County…
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FDA finalizes the preharvest water rule: What does it mean for produce growers?
Earlier this year, the FDA issued a final rule related to the preharvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce stipulated in the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.
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Mums take center stage when summer flowers take a bow
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowers signal fall’s arrival more than the cheerful chrysanthemum, or mum, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Mums’ long-lasting blooms put on a colorful display for weeks when other flowers have called it quits for the season.
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Women learn life-changing skills through Pearls of Production
The opportunity to learn livestock farming skills hands-on and be surrounded by their peers – even during difficult circumstances – had a major impact on two women’s lives. The Pearls of Production conference, hosted each year by University of Missouri Extension, is a hands-on educational program for women in livestock production.
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IT’S CRUNCH TIME! Let’s bring home the win, Missouri!
It’s football season, and fans across Missouri have their hopes set on championship wins. But there’s another victory the entire state is hungry for: Mountain Plains Region “Crunch Off” Champion.
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Registration open for MU Extension Fall Tax Schools
University of Missouri Extension is hosting trainings this fall for professional tax preparers. Fall Tax Schools, which start in late October, have in-person and online options. Attendees can register for a single day (Day 1 or Day 2) or both. The training will use the National Income Tax Workbook 2024. Topics for Day 1 include business tax issues, individual tax issues, related party issues, real estate rental activity issues and…
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It's time to protect plants from frost
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Frost/Freeze Probabilities Guide tells us that frost is likely coming within two weeks in the northernmost part of the state. That means that it’s time to think about protecting plants from frost, said MU Extension state horticulture specialist David Trinklein.
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Despite recent rainfall, Missouri remains dry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – After experiencing drought in 2022 and 2023, Missourians were eager for a wet growing season. Missouri saw above-average statewide monthly precipitation from April to July, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor.
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Experts see rise in sloth fever among travelers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If winter travels are in your plans, you might bring back more than just a sunburn and souvenirs. Emily Althoff, extension urban entomologist for the University of Missouri and Lincoln University, says travelers who become ill after visiting South and Central America should let their doctors know their travel history. The Pan American Health Organization recently upgraded the risk of Oropouche virus disease, commonly…
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Lanes Prairie 4-H Club kicks off new year with apple butter meeting
BELLE, Mo. – The Lanes Prairie 4-H Club proudly hosted its September meeting, bringing together youths and families to embark on a new 4-H year. The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H pledge, setting a positive tone for the gathering, said Bethany Prenger, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in 4-H youth development.
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Weather station upgrades will help plan for flood, drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s network of weather stations will soon be updated to provide long-term soil moisture information to help forecast, monitor and respond to flood and drought. MU Extension state natural resources specialist Michael Sunde and state climatologist Zack Leasor will work alongside John Travlos, co-director of the Missouri Mesonet, to add new soil moisture sensors to many of the network’s 45…
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Sedum: Pollinators love this easy-peasy purple and pink plant
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sedums, also known as stonecrop, are low-maintenance plants that come with a host of benefits. They withstand extreme heat and drought, yet some are winter-hardy as far north as USDA hardiness zone 3. “In short, sedums are about as low-maintenance as plants can get,” said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Producer expertise needed to shape future of state's small ruminant industry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Extension specialists from Lincoln University in Jefferson City and the University of Missouri in Columbia are working to gain deeper insights into sheep and goat production in the Show-Me-State. “Our initiative aims to uncover valuable insights that will benefit producers and contribute to the state’s economy and inform policy decisions,” said Ye Su, assistant professor of agribusiness with Lincoln University.
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MU Extension and partners host Oct. 11-12 Woodland Owners Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and several partners invite the public to the Woodland Owners Conference, Oct. 11-12 in Columbia.
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Speaking for the trees
BRAYMER, Mo. – Jim Ball says his motivation to plant trees comes from his love for the outdoors developed while growing up hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in Braymer, Mo. Ball put that outdoor experience to use during Army training in places like Panama, where he was designated a jungle expert, followed by a yearlong tour in Vietnam.
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Missouri 4-H celebrates Hall of Fame inductees
SEDALIA, Mo. – The 18th annual Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony on Aug. 10, 2024, honored outstanding volunteers and supporters who have made lasting contributions to the 4-H program and the youths of Missouri.
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Dahlias dazzle and delight as gardens dim
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As autumn approaches, many garden flowers show the ravages of a long, often brutal summer. However, it’s at this time that dahlias are most spectacular, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Warm days and cool nights associated with late summer and early fall cause dahlias to produce flowers with intense, dazzling color.
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Record-breaking attendance at eighth MU Extension Feedlot School
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – More than 65 cattle producers from Missouri, Iowa and Illinois attended the University of Missouri Extension Feedlot School in Kirksville in late August. That’s more than double the number of attendees from previous schools, according to MU Extension state beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey, one of the coordinators of the school. More than 40 of the attendees were young producers.
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High rate of suicide by firearm in NE Missouri being studied
CLARENCE, Mo. – It’s harvest time in northeastern Missouri. Rows of corn furl their browned leaves up at the blazing sky in Shelby County, one of Missouri’s least-populated counties. Barely 6,000 residents live here, many of them on one of Shelby County’s 150 Missouri Century Farms recognized by University of Missouri Extension for being owned by the same family for 100 or more years.
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Nitrogen fertilizer boosts fescue yields but increases toxin
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is difficult to make blanket recommendations on fall nitrogen fertilizer rates to pastures because of the variability in how forages are managed in the Fescue Belt, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. But fescue pastures need a source of nitrogen to thrive, he says.
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Don't fall victim to PTO accidents on the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Based on 2021 data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America, with fall harvest as the most dangerous season for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist.
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Tips for reporting near misses and accidents on the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When things go bad on the farm during harvest, it is important to act quickly and report later, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 15-21, Funkenbusch bring attention to reporting methods. Learn more at https://www.necasag.org/NationalFarmSafetyandHealthWeek.
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Prepare bulls for the upcoming breeding season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is time to begin preparing for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In preparation for the upcoming breeding season, Davis will discuss management strategies to make sure bulls are ready for a successful breeding season.
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Enroll steers in the Missouri Steer Feedout by Oct. 10
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Adding value to a cow-calf operation is important to its sustainability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.