Closeup of red spheres (perithecia) that appear on the roots of soybean infected with red crown rot, a yield-robbing soybean disease recently confirmed in Missouri for the first time. Photo courtesy of Mandy Bish, MU Extension plant pathologist.

First case of red crown rot confirmed in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish reports confirmation of red crown rot, a yield-robbing soybean disease, in Marion County in northeastern Missouri. This is the first confirmed incidence of the disease in the state. Bish says MU Extension specialists have been scouting for the pathogen since its confirmation in Illinois in 2018.

FEMA - State Disaster Recovery Centeer

Federal disaster assistance available in southern Missouri

Households and businesses in southern Missouri affected by severe weather and flooding May 19-27 can apply for federal assistance, says Conne Burnham, University of Missouri Extension emergency management coordinator.

MU Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida and state soybean specialist Andre Reis recently hosted a group of influential farmers and crop consultants from soybean production regions in Brazil. The group visited Sanborn Field, MU soybean field trials, campus labs and an area soybean farm. Photo courtesy of Ivair Valmorbida.

Brazilian farmers and crop consultants visit MU

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida and state soybean specialist Andre Reis hosted a group of influential farmers and crop consultants from Brazil on July 19-20 in Columbia. “The collaboration between Missouri and Brazilian soybean farmers is an ongoing one as each seeks to learn from the other to feed the world,” says Valmorbida.

Produce. Stock photo

Elevate your farmers market success

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In celebration of National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 4-10, University of Missouri Extension has resources to help improve your local food systems awareness and polish your farmers market presence. Learn about local food systems Consumers are increasingly searching out healthy and safe food that supports their local community. Farmers can meet this demand by taking advantage of local food systems.

This 2003 photo shows Casey Jefferson (now Casey Coy) participating in the Garden 'n Grow program at the Adair County MU Extension Center in Kirksville. Today, she and a friend own a shop, Wildflower Grove, in Greencastle, Mo.

Garden 'n Grow grows business for small town

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – More than 20 years ago, 8-year-old Casey Jefferson Coy enrolled in the Garden ’n Grow program in Kirksville at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Adair County. Little did she know that the summer-long program would lead her to decades of employment and enjoyment.

Delaney Duncan, left, of Cass County, received the MFA Saddle Award from MFA Inc. at a recent Missouri 4-H equine event in Sedalia.

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.

Fall is the ideal time to plant garlic in the Midwest, according to MU Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Fall planting allows roots to develop. Photo courtesy of Rusty Lee.

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.

Rural Immersion Program

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.

Land suitability map from Intel for Ag.

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…

Cows surrounded by flies in Crane, Mo. Photo by Linda Geist.

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.

Mosquito. Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org

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

MU Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida demonstrated how to scout for pests during a recent field day. Walk in a U, X or W pattern to assess the entire field and sweep vigorously with a sweep net to capture insects from various parts of a field. Identify the insects and determine thresholds. Photo by Linda Geist.

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…

Turnips. Photo by thebittenword.com, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

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.

Japanese beetles are on the rise in Missouri gardens. They tend to favor certain plants, including hibiscus (rose of Sharon), rosebushes and hollyhocks. They can quickly defoliate plants. Photo by Linda Geist.

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.

File photo.

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.

This time of year, pop-up showers and storms are a risk to hay that has been mowed but not yet baled. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and understand how different types of rainfall affect cut hay, says MU Extension agronomist Hunter Lovewell. Photo by Linda Geist.

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.

Stock photo.

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.

Mulch beds keep the soil cooler in summer and warmer in winter, an important benefit for flowering bulbs. File photo.

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.

Extension logo

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.

File photo, MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

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.

Missouri soybean and corn producers report increasing numbers of Japanese beetles. Here, defoliated soybean leaves show the beetles’ presence. Photo by Linda Geist.

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

Cherry Warren pasture scene

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.

Stay up to date on routine vaccines.

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.

Tar spot of corn. Photo by Mandy Bish.

Tar spot growing in Missouri corn crops

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A yield-robbing corn disease, tar spot, is gaining ground in Missouri. Tar spot has been confirmed in 19 counties in 2024, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Corn growers in nearly half of the state’s counties have reported tar spot since Missouri’s first confirmed case in 2018.

During workshops at the State 4-H Congress, delegates put their problem-solving skills to the test.

Missouri 4-H Week brings youths to Mizzou for leadership, learning

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Following Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of 4-H members gathered on the University of Missouri campus for Missouri 4-H Week. This weeklong celebration features two major events for the 4-H program: 4-H Teen Conference and State 4-H Congress.

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