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100th annual soils and crops conference set for Jan. 26 in Mexico, Mo.
The 100th Annual Audrain County Soils and Crops Conference will be Monday, Jan. 26, at the Hart Career Center School in Mexico, north of Mexico High School.
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Simple, inexpensive whistle can make a lifesaving difference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s small, inexpensive, doesn’t require batteries or charging, and it could save your life. “In an emergency, a whistle can help rescuers locate you when you can’t call for help,” says Conne Burnham, University of Missouri Extension state emergency management specialist. “It’s a small item that can make a big difference.”
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MU Extension gains joint accreditation for health care education
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Continuing Education for Health Professions (CEHP) unit, which is part of the MU Office of Health Outreach, Policy & Education, has earned Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.
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Registration open for Feb. 18-19 grain marketing workshop
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, with support by Missouri Corn Producers and their checkoff, is offering corn and soybean producers a opportunity to strengthen their marketing skills through the “Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop,” set for Feb. 18-19 at the Boone County Electric Cooperative in Columbia.
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Beef Quality Assurance training scheduled for Feb. 10 in Pineville
PINEVILLE, Mo. – Area cattle producers and community members are invited to attend a free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Pineville Community Center, 602 Jessie James Road, Pineville.
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'Succulent mania' takes root
COLUMBIA, Mo. – From windowsills to office desks, succulents are everywhere. The hardy plants have become so popular in recent years that some enthusiasts call the trend “succulent mania,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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MU Extension hosts free crop conference in February
SIKESTON, Mo. – Representatives from the Missouri Corn Growers, Missouri Soybean and University Missouri Extension will give updates at the 2026 MU Crop Conference 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. MU Extension is host for the annual event at the Miner Convention Center in the Sikeston-Miner area next to the Drury Inn on East Malone Street.
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Missouri 4-H'ers travel to Western National for contests
Missouri 4-H livestock judging team. From left, Rayleigh Birdwell, Maggie Reed, Elyse Cooley and Elliott Cooley.
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Scout early and often for corn leafhopper in 2026
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in-field research in 2025 cornfields showed less damage from corn leafhopper than in 2024. MU Extension state crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida is happy about that, but he is unsure why this happened. “It is possible that corn leafhoppers arrived later in the season compared to 2024, as they do not truly overwinter in Missouri,” Valmorbida says.
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Harnessing technology, preserving tradition at 2026 Missouri Dairy Expo
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri Dairy is eager to bring information to improve profitability for dairy producers statewide. On Friday, Jan. 23, Missouri Dairy hosts the sixth annual Missouri Dairy Expo in conjunction with its annual meeting at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield.
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Winter weather resources from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – MU Extension has resources to help you prepare for and respond to severe winter weather. Extended cold weather can freeze water in household plumbing. This can not only make your faucets run dry, it can result in burst pipes. Learn how to prevent or safely thaw frozen pipes.
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Dade County Soil and Crop Conference is Jan. 22
LOCKWOOD, Mo. - The 101st Dade County Soil and Crop Conference is 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Lockwood Methodist Church Life Center, 410 Main St., Lockwood. The event will feature a variety of topics of interest to livestock and forage producers as well as a free barbecue dinner cooked by Hillbilly Express.
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National survey looks at beef producers' bull-buying decisions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new national survey aims to better understand how beef producers make bull-buying decisions and how extension programs can better support those producers.
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Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference set for Feb. 23 in Stockton
MU Extension, Cedar County Soil and Water Conservation District and Cedar County Farm Bureau are hosting the Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Stockton.
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Watermelon grower finds sweet spot in NE Missouri
Florida watermelon grower Bob Stewart is finding northeastern Missouri ripe for growing what Monroe County-born author Mark Twain called the “food of angels.” Stewart, owner of GID Farms of Immokalee, Florida, grew 6 million pounds of watermelon on 150 rented acres near Monroe City this past season. The location offers new challenges and opportunities to expand Stewart’s 20-year-old business.
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MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab moves to cheaper, quicker testing
The MU Extension Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory is transitioning to a new soil nutrient extraction method, called Mehlich-3, which has become the industry standard for soil testing. Adopting the Mehlich-3 method enhances laboratory efficiency and enables the laboratory to provide a more complete nutrient analysis in a single test while keeping overall testing costs lower.
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SW MO Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 27 in Springfield
MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on a variety of current topics in the cattle industry. The conference is MSU's Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield.
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Pearls of Production returns Feb. 28 in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2026 Pearls of Production Conference is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, at the University of Missouri Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia. This in-person gathering promises a full day of hands-on learning, idea exchange and inspiration, says Heather Conrow, MU Extension livestock and poultry specialist.
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Workshop covers forest health, wildlife habitat, invasive species
Landowners in Pike County and surrounding areas are invited to attend the Feb. 7 Woodland Management Workshop in Bowling Green. The workshop is designed to help landowners make informed decisions about managing their woodlands for long-term health, productivity and enjoyment.
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MU med students to lead free Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program in Hannibal
Two third-year medical students from the MU School of Medicine will bring their skills, enthusiasm and commitment to community health this winter as they lead a free Strong, Stay Healthy program in Hannibal. The free strength training course, which is open to adults of all fitness levels, meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 3 to March 26 at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, 301 Warren Barrett Drive.
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Watch for new soybean pest in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The soybean tentiform leafminer (STL) moth is no bigger than George Washington’s nose on a quarter. But don’t underestimate it, says Ivair Valmorbida, University of Missouri Extension state field crops and forage entomologist. Valmorbida confirmed STL’s presence in 2025 in Cooper County in a field next to a wooded area, its preferred infestation area.
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Your Best Year Yet: Build resolutions backed by SMART goals
Is it your New Year’s resolution to achieve your New Year’s resolution? Studies show that nearly 80% of people who set a New Year’s resolution fail within the first few weeks. Creating goals that are “SMART”--Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/relevant and Time-bound--is one way to give us a better chance of achieving our goals.
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MU Extension works with swine industry, TN visa workers to address labor shortages
University of Missouri Extension specialists are working with the swine industry and temporary visa holders to help recruit, retain and develop agriculture professionals needed to address ongoing farm labor shortages.
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MU Extension: 'Stop the Bleed' law will benefit ag community
A new Missouri law that went into effect Jan. 1 will benefit the agricultural community. Senate Bill 68, known as the “Stop the Bleed Act,” mandates that all public and charter schools in the state implement protocols for traumatic blood loss and equip their facilities with bleeding control kits.
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Spring SW Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale entry deadline is Feb. 5
The Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association has put out an invitation for bulls for its upcoming All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale on March 30 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center near Springfield.