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Fall application increases risk of nitrogen loss for corn
COLUMBIA, Mo. – High nitrogen prices and concerns about fertilizer supplies have disrupted nitrogen management for the 2022 growing season.“For corn, there were many reports of anhydrous ammonia being applied earlier than normal and that more nitrogen was applied in the fall than normal,” said John Lory, University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist. “Nitrogen applied in November waits in the soil over six months…
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Rain, heat increase risk of ponding
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Predicted temperatures in the low 90s the week of May 8 combined with intense or recurrent rainfall could result in damage to corn and soybean crops from ponding, saturated soils and flooding, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. Survival of submerged corn and soybean seedlings depends on seed quality, flood duration, water temperatures, how fast fields dry and location of the growing point in…
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Forage - Mission Possible?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Interested in an impossible task? Try making dry hay in Missouri in early spring. But baleage can turn spring forage harvest in Missouri into “Mission: Possible.”
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4-H youths test skills at 2022 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, April 9, drew 70 4-H members to compete at William Woods University in Fulton. The 4-H delegation was greeted by newly appointed William Woods University President Jeremy Moreland. After the contest, youths and coaches toured the facilities and learned more about the university’s equine program from faculty and students.
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4-H youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest, April 10, drew 19 youths from across the state to the MU campus to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related topics.Top junior competitors (ages 8-10 only)First, Paige Harris, Callaway County.Second, Edith Carson, Boone County.Top junior competitors (ages 8-13)
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Henry County 4-H’er goes to Capitol Hill for National Ag Day Student Leadership Program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Former Henry County 4-H member Brendon Engeman was one of five youths selected to represent 4-H in March for National Ag Day Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill. The trip to Washington, D.C., was part of the 2022 National Ag Day Student Leadership Program, which engages young people to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.
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Dogwood: Nature's little showoff
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Few spring scenes are as spectacular as the annual display provided by dogwood trees in the Ozark woodlands,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Inconspicuous for most of the year, these diminutive denizens of our forests outdo their towering neighbors with spectacular exhibitions of color before most other species leaf out, Trinklein says.
Missouri farmers can profit using modern, sustainable aquaculture technology
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ninety percent of the U.S. seafood supply is imported, mostly from China and Southeast Asia. Around 25% of U.S. wild-caught fish are exported to Asia for processing and then reimported to the U.S. “Adapting improved fish and shrimp production technologies offers significant opportunity for Missouri farmers to profit from farm-raised fish and seafood,” says David Brune, aquaculture specialist and extension professor at…
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Weekly Garden Hour resumes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As growing season begins, University of Missouri Extension’s weekly Garden Hour returns to its noon slot on Wednesdays. MU Extension specialists address lawn, garden, disease and insect questions during the free hourlong virtual sessions.Listeners receive a weather report from MU Extension climatologist Pat Guinan and hear brief sessions on timely gardening topics, says MU Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.
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Missouri farm income to set new records in 2022
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farm income appears on pace for another record year, according to John Kruse, associate research and extension professor in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri.
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Growing a greater tomorrow with Victory Over the Virus gardens
Twilia Harrison was paging through a magazine one day when she came across an article about victory gardens. Decades ago, people planted home gardens to supplement rations and boost public morale throughout the world wars. That gave Twilia, of Shell Knob, an idea. Why not try something similar to bring her southwestern Missouri community together after the challenges of COVID-19?
Benefit of killing annual weeds in winter wheat depends on weed, yield loss
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Killing common annual weeds in winter wheat may or may not be a good financial decision, especially when input costs are high, says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.Winter wheat is one of the most competitive crops planted, Bradley says.Bradley offers these guidelines based on research from MU and other reputable sources.Common chickweed
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No reports of spotted lanternfly in Missouri but vigilance urged
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While not yet detected in Missouri, spotted lanternfly remains a concern for vineyards, certain trees and specialty crops as it continues to spread west. If spotted lanternfly (SLF) reaches Missouri, early detection and insecticide control measures will be key to reducing the economic damage, says Dean Volenberg, viticulture extension professor with the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute.
Breeding by protocol: 7&7 Synch
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As breeding seasons for seasonal pasture-based dairy herds and beef cows approach, it might be time to consider if a new estrus synchronization protocol developed by the University of Missouri could benefit your operation.Getting cows pregnant in beef herds and seasonal grazing dairies is critical for these operations, said MU Extension dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton and Scott Poock, MU associate extension professor…
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New webpages for MU Extension and Education Centers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For more than 100 years, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) has played a vital role in carrying out the University of Missouri’s land-grant and extension missions through research, education and engagement. Last year, the Moving AES Forward task force outlined a restructuring of this statewide network of farms and centers.
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Missouri 4-H celebrates its amazing volunteers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, Missouri 4-H wants to shout out heartfelt thanks to its amazing volunteers. Thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H. Because of their efforts, 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri youths.
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Tonia Zeiler honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is presenting Tonia Zeiler, of Lafayette County, with the 2022 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award for 13 years of service and support to 4-H.“We are honored to recognize Tonia Zeiler for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Lafayette County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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Jenise Burch honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is presenting Jenise Burch, of Vernon County, with the 2022 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award for nearly 60 years of service and support to 4-H.“We are honored to recognize Jenise Burch for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Vernon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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After the bloom fades, Easter lily can see new life
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Easter lily used for spring decorations can provide beauty and fragrance for another season.After blooming ends, plant Easter lilies outside as soon as the ground can be worked, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Jennifer Schutter. The following year, they will bloom in June and have a sweet fragrance.
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Guard against emerging tick-borne disease in Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As temperatures rise, humans and animals become meal tickets for ticks. Heartland disease, an emerging infectious disease first found in northwestern Missouri in 2009, is another reason to take precautions against ticks, says University of Missouri horticulture specialist and entomologist Tamra Reall.
Evaluating costs and benefits of renovating endophyte-infected pastures
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nearly 98% of Missouri’s pastureland is tall fescue infected with an endophyte that can cause fescue toxicosis in grazing livestock. Fescue toxicosis lowers reproduction rates, milk production, gain and weaning weights. It also causes health problems, including lameness and heat stress.By replacing toxic fescue with other forages, producers eliminate animal exposure to the harmful endophyte. You can start the process…
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Strengthening Missouri's local food systems
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new partnership between the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security (ICFS) and MU Extension will make it easier to access information about local and regional food systems and food security.
A key Missouri asset: MU Extension generated $1.2 billion economic impact in FY21
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension generated an estimated $1.2 billion economic impact throughout Missouri in fiscal year 2021, according to a recent impact analysis. That amount contributed to the University of Missouri System’s overall $6.5 billion economic impact statewide.
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Food tastings are on the menu in this elementary school nutrition class
Nutrition program associate Sarah Geist has been working with Macon Elementary School in Macon County to deliver nutrition classes to children. The classes follow the Show Me Nutrition curriculum for kids from preschool to junior high. Topics range from making proper food choices based on the individual’s needs to the various food groups and their nutritional benefits.
Co-grazing: Diversification could boost farm profits
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Have you ever considered diversifying production on the farm?Producing beef cattle and meat goats on the same farm may improve your financials, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Jennifer Lutes.Lutes developed a model that looks at the economics of co-grazing – a diversification strategy involving production of more than one livestock species on the same farm.