Image
MU study looks at poultry litter's impact on soybean yields
ROCK PORT, Mo. – A six-year study at the University of Missouri’s Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center in northwestern Missouri looked at the impact of poultry litter on soybean crops. “Poultry litter is increasingly being applied to row crops in northwest Missouri,” said MU Extension agronomy specialist Wayne Flanary, who conducted the research. “Manures such as litter are valuable because they add organic matter and…
Image
Participants will learn land management practices at Sept. 7 workshop
PORTLAND, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and partners invite the public to a forest and wildlife management workshop on Sept. 7. The free event is 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bill and Margie Haag’s property in Callaway County near Portland, Mo.
Image
Fall series highlights what ag lenders need to know in 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension invites lenders serving farmers and rural communities to “What Ag Lenders Need To Know in 2025.” The 44th annual seminar will be hosted in six locations across the state.
Image
MU Mobile Sim offers lifesaving training at Hundley-Whaley field day
ALBANY, Mo. – A free Sept. 4 event at one of University of Missouri Extension’s education centers offers families an opportunity to learn critical lifesaving skills. “Farm families will have many interesting and exciting opportunities to learn skills that could save lives on the farm during the MU Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center’s 47th annual Farm, Field and Family Day,” says Jennifer Miller, director of the center.
Image
Boxes for the Brave: 4-H volunteer event at the Missouri State Fair
SEDALIA, Mo. – Handmade thank you cards along with personal care products, snacks, energy drinks, socks, decks of playing cards and much more will be headed to 250 Missouri soldiers stationed overseas later this month thanks to 4-H’ers at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. As part of the Missouri State Fair’s Military Appreciation Day, Sunday, Aug. 11, Missouri 4-H will host a special Boxes for the Brave packing event in the 4-H…
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
Forages, tech, safety top MU Hundley-Whaley field day
ALBANY, Mo. – Those attending the Hundley-Whaley Farm, Field and Family Day can learn about a variety of topics including drones, current crop diseases, how to back up a gooseneck trailer and how to stop bleeding with a tourniquet. The free event, Sept. 4 at 1109 S. Birch St., Albany, promises an evening of interesting educational activities and a complimentary dinner, says Jennifer Miller, director of the University of Missouri…
Image
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.
Image
Management-intensive grazing school is Sept. 10-12 in Lamar
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Efficient forage management and utilization is important to the profitability of a livestock operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis says best way to promote efficient forage management and utilization in a livestock operation is by incorporating management-intensive grazing practices.
Image
Tour of apple orchard focuses on food safety
MEXICO, Mo. – Learn about produce safety and agritourism at a tour of Hickory Ridge Orchards in Mexico, Mo., 1-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. University of Missouri Extension and Missouri Farmers Union sponsor the event. This tour will highlight ways in which produce safety best practices are integrated into crop production, U-pick operations, worker training and farm management plans.
Image
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.
Image
Webinar series on tree crops begins in September
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – This fall, University of Missouri Extension offers a six-session webinar series, “Growing Tree Fruit, Nut Crops and Syrup Trees.” The weekly series begins Tuesday, Sept. 10, and runs 6:30-8 p.m.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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…
Image
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.
Image
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
Image
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…
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.