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Tax deadline looms: Should you file for an extension?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The bell for the April 17 tax return deadline tolls for thee.But don’t panic, says University of Missouri Extension personal financial planning specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Income tax extensions are easy to file and give filers some breathing room. You can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file from the Internal Revenue Service.
SW Mo. dairy and creamery sees positive changes with pack barns
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – Brothers Dwight and David Fry remember the day that they decided to build bedded pack barns for their dairy cows.They visited neighbor David Gray’s barns on a winter day when sleet was pounding down. “His cows were lying there in the barn chewing their cud and making milk,” said Dwight. “Ours were humped up and cold.”
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A bray keeps predators away
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – There’s a new guard dog in town. And it’s more likely to bray than bark.A growing number of sheep and goat farmers are using donkeys to keep predators at bay, says Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, small-ruminant specialist at Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Jefferson City.Clifford-Rathert is studying the effectiveness of donkeys in guarding goat and sheep herds from coyotes, bobcats, dogs and other…
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Renoe takes on engagement role as new MU assistant vice chancellor
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Susan Renoe has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for research, extension and engagement at the University of Missouri.This new position represents an expanded role for Renoe, who will continue to provide oversight for the MU Connector, a joint unit between the MU Office of Research and MU Extension and Engagement.
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![Calibrachoa Superbells Dreamsicle.Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/calibrachoa.jpg?itok=pcYqssLx)
Calibrachoa: Petunia's pretty little cousin takes center stage in 2018
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While new flowering species are introduced on a fairly regular basis, very few have supplanted longtime garden favorites such as geraniums and petunias, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. An exception is calibrachoa, or “callie” for short.
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Summit challenges youth to lead with courage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Almost 160 teens and adults attended the 2018 Missouri Youth Civic Leaders Summit near Camdenton in March. Youth and adult teams gathered from more than 20 county 4-H programs and community betterment groups across Missouri. Organizers say the goal of this year’s event, themed “The Courage to Lead,” was to inspire leaders of all ages to lead with courage built on a foundation of character and commitment to service.
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Grain bin safety promoted April 9-13
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Five seconds. That is all it takes for flowing grain to trap a farmer. In 60 seconds, grain engulfs and suffocates the farmer. That is why University of Missouri Extension, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Grain Feed Association formed an alliance to help to protect farmworkers. OSHA employees will travel the state to promote “Stand-Up for Grain Engulfment Prevention Week,” April 9-13.
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Against the grain
COLUMBIA, Mo.– If you don’t work on a farm, a bin full of grain may not look dangerous. But farmworkers who go inside grain bins can quickly find themselves literally in over their heads. The results can be deadly: Over the last 50 years, hundreds in the U.S. have died from entrapment in grain, including more than two dozen in 2010, the most lethal year on record for grain bin accidents.
Farmers get latest research at MU soybean symposium
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tight crop profits cause farmers to plant more soybean acres. On April 4, growers can learn latest research at a soybean symposium in Columbia.“Plant breeding progress leads to more beans at lower cost,” says Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri soybean specialist and director of the Missouri Soybean Center. “Genetics plays a bigger role in progress.”
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MU plant scientist to speak on Callery pear at April 13 event in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Reid Smeda, University of Missouri plant scientist, will speak on the Bradford pear tree and its cousins at a Callery pear educational event hosted by the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force. Smeda studies invasive species in Missouri and serves on the task force.The free event is 2-3 p.m. Friday, April 13, at MU Health Care South Providence Medical Park, 551 E. Southampton Drive, which is on land infested with Callery…
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4-H to award funding to state programs to grow true leaders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – 4-H, the largest youth development program in the nation, is calling on alumni and supporters to raise their hands to help bring 4-H to 10 million youth by 2025. Currently, 4-H empowers nearly 6 million young people in every county across America, including more than 190,000 4-H’ers in Missouri.
Planning, patience lead to better forage and cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – Patience pays off for cattle producers who wait for fescue to grow some before turning cattle out for spring grazing, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“After a long winter of feeding hay, producers are anxious to turn cattle into the fescue pasture,” Davis says. “However, it is better to wait until fescue grows to heights of 3 to 8 inches before letting cattle onto fescue pastures…
ReproGene meetings show profits growing with known beef genetics
CUBA, Mo. – Beef herd owners profit from fewer calf death losses, steers grading USDA prime and cows staying in the herd longer. Improved herd performance comes from adding genetics to management.That theme was repeated at three ReproGene Conferences held by University of Missouri Extension across southern Missouri in March. The final meeting was at Cuba, Mo., Monday, March 26.Adding genomics, the science of DNA, to beef breeding is…
Disaster-readiness resources from MU Extension
University of Missouri Extension has resources to help you and your family prepare for and recover from disasters.
Be prepared for flooded roads
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.– Flooding is a potential threat in many parts of Missouri. And even if your house is not in a flood plain, you may drive through one on your way home.
Before the flood: Prepare household items for long-term storage
TRENTON, Mo.- As people brace for floodwaters and the damage they might cause, it's important to know how to properly prepare household items for long-term storage, said a University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
First aid for leaky basements
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If your basement sprung a leak during recent intense rainfalls, you’re not alone.
Property loss from disasters may be tax deductible
Related video: Coping with disaster, youtube.com/watch?v=q6_ugKGvd_MCOLUMBIA, Mo. – Disaster victims may recoup some of their uninsured losses from natural disasters, said former University of Missouri Extension consumer and family economics specialist Brenda Procter. Uncompensated property losses in presidentially declared disaster areas are tax deductible.
Use shock chlorination to disinfect contaminated wells
BLOOMFIELD, Mo. – Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. “Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill,” said Van Ayers, a former University of Missouri Extension agriculture and rural development specialist. Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking or food preparation until the well and plumbing system have been disinfected and the water has been tested for safety.
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Snakes on a flood plain
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Floods and severe storms can leave more than just people homeless. Displaced snakes, rodents and other nuisance wildlife often will seek shelter and food in areas close to people, said Bob Pierce, MU Extension fisheries and wildlife specialist.
Taste feeds growing demand for beef, says MU economist
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Livestock owners increasing their herds must grow demand for meat. Current herd size expands meat supplies and domestic meat consumption to record levels.With more supply, expect lower prices, University of Missouri economist Scott Brown told the Womack Agricultural Outlook Conference in Columbia.But that didn’t happen as forecast in 2017.
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Turner keeps it simple in large heifer replacement operation
HARTVILLE, Mo. – Denis Turner keeps his southwestern Missouri heifer replacement operation simple.For the most part, it is one man for 500-1,000 heifers at Turner’s Heifer Haven, a pasture-based operation where Turner raises heifers for others.“Make sure every task can be carried out by one person,” Turner says. “Two-man jobs are accomplished on time only about half of the time.”
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Check your home for toxic plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is estimated that more than 700 plant species growing in North America can have harmful effects on humans, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Many plant poisonings occur when curious children are attracted to colorful berries and blooms on plants within their reach. Their low body weight makes plant toxicity higher in children than adults, said MU Extension safety and health…
Organizing household items helps avoid look-alike poisoning
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. Not necessarily, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Many poisons look like common household items because they are the same color or shape or are packaged similarly. Mistakes can have consequences ranging from temporary discomfort to severe illness, permanent injury or death.
Farm Safety Day, March 24, offers free fun, family activities
FORTUNA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a free Farm Safety Day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24, at Central Missouri Produce Auction in Fortuna.Fun, family-oriented events will be offered throughout the event, said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Joni Harper.