Potash pays off
NEVADA, Mo. – Potash prices have risen about 75% in the past year, according to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data. This has prompted many producers to cut back on applications. But that could be a mistake. Potash is essential to healthy fields and pastures, says University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Pat Miller.It is important to apply potash to replenish depleted nutrients. “Potash-deficient fields are not going…
Perennial of the Year steeped in American patriotism
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When American colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor in 1773 as a political protest, they faced a dilemma. What could they use to make tea, since the continued drinking of British tea would be deemed unpatriotic?
Missouri meat, poultry processors receive $16.7 million in grants with help from MU Extension partnership
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nearly empty meat aisles are a burden producers, processors and consumers don’t want to face again. To prevent that, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) awarded $16.7 million to keep 150 meat and poultry processors throughout Missouri going strong.
Youths, professionals connect virtually at FilmFest 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the second year in a row, FilmFest 4-H moved from the silver screen to computer screens. The national 4-H film festival, held virtually Aug. 7-8, brings together youths from across the country to present their work and attend workshops with film industry professionals.
Caterpillars horn in on tomato plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Several types of caterpillars damage tomato plants in Missouri, but the tomato hornworm and the tobacco hornworm usually get the most attention because of the prominent horn on the last segment of their bodies.
MU Extension horticulturist searches for rare Ozark butterfly
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Kelly McGowan is on the hunt for the elusive Ozark woodland swallowtail, a pollinator unique to the Ozark region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.
New MU guide looks at silage breakeven price
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension recently released an updated cost analyzer to help farmers estimate the breakeven price to justify harvesting corn as silage rather than grain.“Frequently, corn harvested for silage was planted for harvest as a grain crop,” says Joe Horner, an MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist. Reasons for this change can include feed needs as well as drought and other events that…
The Export Plan: Market Entry Strategy
In the previous article, we looked at tools that were available online from US Census sources and through Missouri SBDC counselors to identify potential markets at the country level. This resulted in a prioritized list of countries to consider for export based on factors such as U.S.
MU Master Gardener blooms with floral subscription service
CLARENCE, Mo. – Pam Stenger keeps memories of her grandmother’s flower garden alive by offering floral bouquets through a Community Supported Agriculture subscription service.
Q&A with Jill Scheidt
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
New extension rice specialist at MU Delta Center
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Justin Chlapecka began Aug. 1 as University of Missouri Extension state rice specialist at the Fisher Delta Research Center. He also serves as an assistant professor in the MU Division of Plant Science and Technology.
Donna Martz Memorial 4-H Endowment Fund sends Missouri youths to National 4-H Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Mom led by example and was always right by our side offering support and help with whatever we needed,” says Connie Wieberg of her mother, Donna Martz, who passed away in 2018. “She was a big reason we all succeeded in 4-H.”
Scout pastures and hayfields now for fall armyworms
LAMAR, Mo. – Now is the time to scout for fall armyworms in pastures and hayfields, says University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice.Agronomists in southeastern Missouri and northern Arkansas report sightings of fall armyworm in grass and legume crops, says Jill Scheidt, MU Extension agronomy specialist.
Taking business to heart: High-tech, small-town business ready to grow, Dynatek Labs - Galena, MO
In a small town in the heart of America is a high-tech company that tests medical devices that end up in the actual hearts of people around the world.
MU hires food processing specialist
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lakshmikantha H. Channaiah joins the University of Missouri as a state extension specialist in food processing and an assistant professor in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR).He will coordinate and conduct research and extension programming in food processing and food safety. He will work with food manufacturers and establish food safety training programs throughout Missouri.
American Outdoor Brands and Missouri 4-H partner to support youth development programs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – American Outdoor Brands Inc., an industry-leading provider of products and accessories for rugged outdoor enthusiasts, and Missouri 4-H, part of the nation’s largest youth development organization, announced on July 30 that they will partner to provide youths across Missouri with equal access to development opportunities provided by Missouri 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources programs.
Cereal rye as a cover crop can reduce waterhemp
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cereal rye as a cover crop may reduce waterhemp populations without yield loss in soybean, according to a three-year study at the University of Missouri.
Hitchhiking spotted lanternfly threatens state's wine industry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Your mother probably warned you about picking up hitchhikers. University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice says your mom was right, especially when it comes to spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that creates severe economic losses in grape. With more than 130 wineries in Missouri, this poses a significant threat to the state’s tourism economy, says MU Extension viticulturist Dean Volenberg.
Youth anglers compete at 2021 State 4-H Sportfishing Event
COLUMBIA, Mo. – 4-H members practiced their angling skills July 24 at the Little Dixie Lake Conservation Area during the University of Missouri Extension 2021 State 4-H Sportfishing Event.Nearly 20 registered 4-H youths competed to catch the most and largest fish. They also tested their knowledge of species and tackle identification, aquatic ecosystems and fish anatomy in the sportfishing “skill-a-thon,” said state 4-H agriculture and…
Sally Williams Selected as 2021 Missouri SBDC State Star
Williams’s colleagues have described her as having a deep dedication to her work and her clients as well as delivering quality and caring, one-on-one counseling and training facilitation that makes a difference.
Taking Missouri small businesses to the next level: CARES Act enables 12 to ‘Elevate’
Twelve Missouri small businesses accepted the challenge to take their businesses to the next level at the beginning of 2021.
Grow now, graze later to reduce winter feed costs
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Q&A with Sam Polly
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
Cattle losing adaptations to environmental stressors, MU researchers find
As a fourth-generation cattle farmer, Jared Decker knows that cattle suffer from health and productivity issues when they are taken from one environment--which the herd has spent generations adapting to--to a place with a different climate, a different elevation or even different grass.
Weed electrocution research sparks interest as herbicide resistance impedes current methods
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Move over, herbicides. There’s a new sheriff in town. And he’s toting some powerful guns loaded with electricity to kill weeds. This shocking new method of weed control was demonstrated at the 2021 Pest Management Field Day at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center in Columbia.