Prepare cattle for frigid temperatures
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Extremely cold weather is forecast this week, putting cattle at risk. Temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit are predicted, with the wind chill factor much lower in many parts of Missouri this week. As temperatures drop, producers need to ensure their cattle are kept safe in the harsh weather, said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.
Nationally known speakers lined up for Neighboring 101 in 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than 700 people from across the United States are enrolled in an online class offered monthly by University of Missouri Extension known as Neighboring 101. Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 10,000 views or attendees.
Spices fill the holidays with aroma and memories
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While the holidays are filled with familiar sights and sounds, it’s the aromas of the season that often conjure up our most vivid memories of the past. This should come as no surprise since our sense of smell is keener than our senses of sight and sound.Many of the aromas surrounding the holidays are from spices used in holiday cuisine, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Frankincense and myrrh: Ancient scents of the season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two of the three gifts of the Wise Men – frankincense and myrrh – remain in high demand more than 5,000 years after gaining popularity in religious rituals, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.Ancient Egyptians used myrrh to embalm corpses and Romans burned it as a type of incense at funeral pyres. Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman societies burned frankincense or myrrh incense during…
Mistletoe: Menacing plant with an intriguing past
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Of all the plants used in holiday decor, few match mistletoe’s interesting history. And few equal its potential for harm.An evergreen plant with white berries, mistletoe is quite toxic, said David Trinklein, horticulture state specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Leadership change in extension and engagement
University of Missouri President Mun Choi has announced that Marshall Stewart, chief engagement officer for the UM System and vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU, is leaving the university to pursue another opportunity as Kansas State University's senior vice president for executive affairs, university engagement and partnerships, and chief of staff, effective Jan. 20, 2023.
Reduce losses, costs when feeding hay
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Livestock producers have options for reducing hay waste and feeding costs while improving animal behavior and performance, says University of Missouri Extension specialist Charlie Ellis.Farmers can choose from several methods to reduce waste based on their preferences, labor availability and climate, says Ellis.Here are four basics from Ellis:
100-year-old sells farm after 'work, work, work'
CARROLLTON, Mo. – Centenarian Wilda Cox knows hard work. She’s built barns, lugged 110-pound cans of milk, picked and husked corn by hand and bucked hay bales.But Cox endured no harder day than Oct. 31, 2022, when she sold the farm that had been in her family for more than a century.
Gift a Book on Neighboring This Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Holiday shopping is in full swing, and books remain a great gift option, according to David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Whether you are shopping for a gift for family members, co-workers, or neighbors, let me suggest some books as gifts," said Burton. All of these books share a common theme: neighboring.
MU Extension offers tips to reduce hay loss
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Good-quality hay bales are like precious gems. They’re valuable and worthy of your safest storage, says Charles Ellis, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agricultural engineering.Proper storage is one way producers can reduce hay waste. Ellis offers a few steps to consider when deciding what hay to store:
Hannibal startup shines during sunflower oil shortage
HANNIBAL, Mo. – A northeastern Missouri farm is making sunflower oil amid a global shortage linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Family-owned and operated, Show Me HH Farms, of Hannibal, offers cold-pressed sunflower seed oil, a primary cooking oil in many parts of the world. Sunflower oil’s light yellow color, mild flavor and ability to withstand high cooking temperatures make it a favorite of cooks.
MU Extension releases how-to videos for hiring on the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – New how-to videos and related resources from University of Missouri Extension specialists can help farm operators looking to attract and keep workers.
Missouri 4-H ranks second at American Royal livestock judging contest
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Andrew County 4-H Livestock Judging Team represented Missouri 4-H at the 2022 American Royal National 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City on Oct. 16. Team members include Ella Fischer, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan and Gavin Rhode. The team is coached by Cody Sloan.
Build Neighbor Connections With Favorite Things Party
Parties are great ways to get to know your neighbors, especially if you do a "favorite things party."
Getting livestock through the winter
SEDALIA, Mo. – Pasture and hay supplies are short in many areas of central and southern Missouri. University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz has a number of options for livestock producers to consider for feeding their livestock this winter.Test hay
Missouri names delegates for 2023 National 4-H Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Each year, Missouri 4-H sends representatives to the National 4-H Conference. In April 2023, Jake Bartlett of Platte County and Andrew Shelton of Barton County will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the pinnacle experience in 4-H Civic Engagement.
Missouri 4-H Dairy Judging finishes 2nd in Louisville
Missouri 4-H capped the year with a second place overall team finish at the 2022 North American International Livestock Exposition Dairy Judging Invitational Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 5. Nineteen youth teams competed.
MU celebrates history and future of integrated pest management
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As University of Missouri Extension researchers celebrate the 50th anniversary of integrated pest management, they reflect on the past, present and future of IPM.
Wind, drought contribute to fires at harvest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Roadway accidents and combine fires make harvest the most dangerous time of the year for those who work in America’s most dangerous occupation – farming, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
Giving thanks for the beautiful, bitter cranberry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Made famous by the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, cranberries have long been a favorite at holiday dinners despite their sharp, bitter taste.Americans gobble up about 400 million pounds of the bitter berry annually, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. About 20% of its consumption comes during the Thanksgiving season.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a 'turkey foot' hike
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you gobble until you wobble at Thanksgiving dinner, take your flock of family and friends for a trek across a tallgrass prairie for a memorable Thanksgiving holiday outing, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
Take poinsettia off Santa's 'naughty' list
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A century ago, poinsettia was added to Santa’s “naughty” list, but the plant’s reputation for being poisonous is unfortunate, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Its pretty bracts and leaves pose no danger to people and pets, other than possible allergic reactions.
November farm management news and notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With harvest wrapping up, it is the time for producers to review their farm’s current net income and look to next year’s projections. This is also a time to explore new ways to increase on-farm revenue and evaluate new or existing lease agreements. Learn more about these topics from this month’s news and notes from University of Missouri Extension. Net farm income outlook
MU Extension helps farmers in the Bahamas
When Hal Donaldson was a young man, he got to meet Mother Teresa.“What are you doing to help the poor?” she asked him.Well, I better not lie to Mother Teresa, he thought to himself, so he said, “I’m not really doing much of anything.”
MU Sembrador team wins EDI award
The MU Extension and Engagement Team Award for Equity, Diversity and