![Poinsettia bract beginning to change color.Debbie Johnson](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Bract%20beginning%20to%20form.jpg?itok=p2RApJN8)
Consider lawns and shrubs when de-icing walks and driveways
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Salt does more than melt the ice on your sidewalks and driveways.It can harm your lawn and shrubs, says University of Missouri Extension turf management specialist Brad Fresenburg.Too much salt can leave dead strips along sidewalks and driveways. It can kill shrubs and flowers.
![Poinsettia bract beginning to change color.Debbie Johnson](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Bract%20beginning%20to%20form.jpg?itok=p2RApJN8)
Poinsettias can bloom again next year with TLC
COLUMBIA, Mo. – That forlorn-looking, leftover plant from a bright holiday season can burst with merry blooms again if given tender, loving care.
MU Extension offers tips for negotiating new farmland leases
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Renters and property owners are negotiating new farmland leases in response to lower farm commodity prices, says University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist Joe Koenen.
Farm bill action possible in early 2018 if Congress keeps much of present law
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There’s an open window for passing a farm bill in early 2018, says Scott Brown, University of Missouri policy analyst. But potential passage gets tough by late spring.Getting action depends on Congress quickly agreeing to pass a farm bill much like what exists.Mostly, farmers are pleased with current legislation, Brown told the MU Crop Management Conference. But every commodity group has ideas for tweaks to their parts…
Grow Your Farm program offered in downtown KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension invites anyone interested in learning to farm to attend an eight-session program, Grow Your Farm, offered by MU Extension in Jackson County. The program also offers two farm tours. Sessions begin Feb. 28 and end April 18. All sessions run 6-9 p.m. at the MU Extension center at 105 E. Fifth St. in the Kansas City River Market.
Good Agricultural Practices training offered in St. Peters, Olathe
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fruit and vegetable growers can learn about produce safety and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification at workshops in early 2018. GAP certification training will be held Jan. 18 and Feb. 16 in Olathe, Kan., and Jan. 26 in St. Peters, Mo.
Produce safety workshop set for Jan. 17 in Webb City
WEBB CITY, Mo. – Fruit and vegetable growers can learn about produce safety at a half-day workshop Jan. 17, 2018, in Webb City, Mo.The workshop will help all produce growers, include those selling at farmers markets and to restaurants, grocery stores and wholesalers, improve the safety of their produce and will provide an introduction to produce safety regulations and market requirements.
![Kent Shannon, right, shows agronomy specialist Dhruba Dhakal how to use a drone to take aerial images of a soybean field in the Missouri Strip Trial Program.Photo by Linda Geist](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/dhruba_shannon_1.jpg?itok=gbaILzQP)
Improved drone technology gives farmers edge in scouting fields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drones are higher in quality and lower in price than they were just a few years ago when farmers began using them, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Kent Shannon.
Tips for safe snow shoveling
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Before you grab that snow shovel to clear your sidewalk or driveway, stop to go over some safety tips, said a University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist. “Snow shoveling is not the exercise to use to start getting in shape,” said Bob Schultheis. “Exercise experts say shoveling heavy snow requires as much energy as running nine miles per hour.”
Great Plains Growers Conference offers 'Hoppy New Year'
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The 2018 Great Plains Growers Conference, Jan. 11-13 in St. Joseph, will offer the first hops workshop in Missouri and Kansas. Hops are a hot new Midwest specialty crop.University of Missouri horticulture specialist James Quinn moderates the “Hops Potential” workshop Thursday, Jan. 11. Experienced growers and researchers from Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and Nebraska will share their expertise on hops, the ingredient that…
Soil testing kits available at local MU Extension centers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Submitting soil samples to your local University of Missouri Extension center is easy, says Manjula Nathan, director of the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.Now is the best time of the year to submit samples to the accredited lab. Soil tests help farmers, gardeners and lawn owners find what fertilizers they may or may not need, says Nathan.
![MU Extension Master Gardener Earlene Britton of Versailles has a Christmas cactus that is 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Photo by Linda Geist](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/christmas_cactus.jpg?itok=EcqZ3xVS)
Christmas cactus: A gift that keeps on giving
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The summer they were married, Dan and Earlene Britton received a cutting from a Christmas cactus belonging to Earlene’s grandmother Naomi Ingrum. Thirty-six years later, the Brittons and the cactus continue to do well in spite of coast-to-coast moves and climate changes.
![Greg Buckman, president-elect of Missouri Cattlemen's Association, credits much of his success to lessons learned through University of Missouri Extension's 4-H program. Photo by Linda Geist](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/buckman2.jpg?itok=QGCBk-nU)
Mo. Cattlemen’s Association president-elect credits 4-H for his success
HALLSVILLE, Mo. – Life lessons learned in 4-H continue to help the president-elect of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Greg Buckman.Buckman credits mentors such as 4-H agents Herb Roth, Phil Weeden and Frank Graham for giving him skills he uses every day. Through their example, Buckman learned the importance of leadership, public speaking and giving back to your community.
Heifers bring average of $1,790 at Farmington Show-Me-Select sale
FARMINGTON, Mo. – The Farmington Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale is the newest of six fall sales statewide. Consignors are building reputations with their fourth sale, Dec. 8.The 120 bred heifers averaged $1,790, with a sale top of $2,450. Other long-standing sales topped that.“We had excellent quality. There were not enough bidders to reflect that,” said Kendra Graham, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist.
![Kent Shannon, left, profiled by Successful Farming magazine’s November 2017 issue as an ‘exceptional extension specialist,’ shows agronomy specialist Dhruba Dhakal how to use a drone to take aerial images of a soybean field in the Missouri Strip Trial ProPhoto by Linda Geist](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/shannon_dhruba_2.jpg?itok=z-tqQqbl)
MU's Kent Shannon profiled as an “exceptional extension specialist”
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineer Kent Shannon was featured in the November 2017 issue of Successful Farming magazine, which profiles “10 Exceptional Extension Specialists.”
Have yourself a berry little holiday
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The cranberry keeps a low profile most of the time, but this time of year it shines as the crown jewel of holiday dinners.Americans gobble up about 400 million pounds of the bitter berry annually, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. About 20 percent of that consumption comes during the Thanksgiving season.
![Boone County Commission recently recognized livestock teams from the county. Among the honorees were the 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team members Aaron Mott, Wyatt Thompson, Elise Bailey and Derek Strawn.Photo courtesy of Rebecca Mott](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/livestock-ffa.jpg?itok=BevOcHQ2)
Boone County Commission recognizes youth livestock judging teams
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Boone County Commission recently recognized Boone County 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team and Columbia FFA Livestock Judging Team. Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the teams for placing first in state competitions in 2017.
USDA ag census to arrive in mail soon
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension economists urge farmers to complete the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census should arrive in farmers’ mailboxes in December. It can be returned by mail or securely submitted online.MU Extension economist Ryan Milhollin says federal, state and local governments as well as agribusinesses, researchers, trade associations and others use the data to serve…
Farm bill programs to keep or revise drew talks at MU Farm Bill Summit
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm bill programs received fresh looks and reality checks during daylong discussions at a Missouri Farm Bill Summit, Oct. 18 at University of Missouri Bradford Farm.A new farm bill, due in 2018, needs input from Missourians, says Scott Brown, MU economist and event organizer. “We look at what works and what needs change.”
Missouri 4-H Foundation awards 67 scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – On Sept. 29 the Missouri 4-H Foundation awarded 67 scholarships totaling $73,550 to 4-H youth throughout the state.
![Former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, left, with MU Extension viticulturist Dean Volenberg at Holden’s vineyards in Gasconade County.Photo by Linda Geist](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/wine1.jpg?itok=gA25wUaW)
'Governor of Grapes' toasts work of MU Extension
FREDERICKSBURG, Mo. – When problems arise with the ex-governor’s vineyard, he calls University of Missouri Extension viticulturist Dean Volenberg.Former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden grows Norton grapes at his weekend hideaway at Fredericksburg. Volenberg regularly visits with Holden as the ex-governor learns the nuances of growing grapes on rolling hills overlooking the Gasconade River.
![Blue hyacinths.Public domain photo](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/BlueHyacinth.jpg?itok=-yfar0s5)
Hyacinth's fragrant punch makes scents
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowers pack the fragrance punch of hyacinth.
![Corn specialist Greg Luce is among the MU Extension staff working with farmers on the Missouri Strip Trial Program. MU Extension is seeking farmers to participate in the 2018 strip trials. Photo courtesy of John Lory.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/LuceStripTrial.jpg?itok=Af-_9MaW)
MU Extension seeks farmers for Strip Trial Program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers are being sought to participate in the 2017-2018 University of Missouri Extension Strip Trial Program, which helps farmers and crop advisers compare on-farm management decisions and practices.The program uses on-farm, field-scale research to give growers farm-specific data to guide decisions that can protect or improve the bottom line, said MU Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.
Palmyra Show-Me Select heifers set record average price of $2,118
PALMYRA, Mo. – The last sale set records for six fall sales of Show-Me-Select heifer replacements. The average price per head was $2,118 on 224 head of bred heifers at F&T Livestock Auction, Palmyra, Dec. 9.
![During drought, soybean puts its energies into survival instead of flowering and filling pods. Pod numbers and seed size reduce as a result.Photo courtesy of Bill Wiebold](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/soybean.jpg?itok=nnPYHAHM)
MU crop conference offers soybean, corn growers info to deal with drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soybean growers can learn how University of Missouri Extension research can help them with next year’s crops.Many of the 29 sessions offered at this year’s MU Crop Management Conference center around soybean research, including one from MU Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold.Wiebold tells the short- and long-term effects of drought on Missouri’s main grain crops. The event is Dec. 14-15 at the Holiday Inn…