Give your fields a checkup for increased yields
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo.—We visit doctors regularly to maintain optimal health and perform at our best. We need to do the same for our farm fields, too. Gene Stevens, extension professor in plant sciences at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, will demonstrate three diagnostic tools producers can use to gauge the health of their crops at the T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research Center’s field day, Aug.…
Grazing wheat in Missouri
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Recent rains have given producers hope that they will be able to plant wheat this fall. Producers may be looking to plant wheat not only for a grain crop but also to provide some fall and early spring grazing, says a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Don't let April snow showers dull May flowers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – April’s cold start in Missouri reminds gardeners that planting date is a matter of risk versus reward, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.“Growers who plant early risk crop damage or loss to freezing temperatures,” he said. “However, if the latter does not occur, they are rewarded by earlier produce, which commands more competitive prices at the market.”
Mercury Communications, Inc.
The challenge Mercury Communications, Inc., a cellular tower manufacturer in Fenton, Mo., has been receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) since June 2013 to improve training, marketing and advertising.
PWI, Inc.
The challenge PWI, Inc., a Kansas manufacturer, pioneered aviation interior lighting in 1972 with custom-made fluorescent lights and more recently has become the resident expert in LED lighting.
Major Custom Cable Inc.
The challenge Major Custom Cable Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of data and communication cables in the U.S., started receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistanc
Teach kids about mowing the lawn safely
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lawn mowing is often one of the first jobs young people have.It is also one of the most dangerous spring activities, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
McCormick Armstrong Co. Inc.
The challenge McCormick Armstrong Co. Inc., a Kansas manufacturer, offers a world of printing solutions from domestic commercial sheet-fed and web printing, digital printing, bindery, mailing and fulfillment to a vast array of international production solutions.
Express Scale Parts, Inc.
The challenge Express Scale Parts, Inc., a scale and bagging equipment manufacturer, has been receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) since 2010.
KC Tent & Awning Company
The challenge KC Tent & Awning Company, a tent and awning manufacturer in Kansas City, Mo., began receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) in May 2011 to grow the capacity of the sales team, develop and implement a marketing strategy, complete a lead based process review or custom production system to develop more efficie
Cold start to April delays crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – April’s cold start in Missouri has limited fieldwork and delayed planting for farmers and gardeners. The persistent cold “was nothing short of amazing,” said University of Missouri Extension climatologist Pat Guinan.
Grazing school set for May 9-10 in Osceola
STOCKTON, Mo. – St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension, and Missouri Forage and Grassland Council will hold a school on management-intensive grazing May 9-10 in Osceola.“This school should help livestock producers cut costs in their operation through better livestock, grazing and pasture management,” said MU Extension livestock specialist…
Tax deadline looms: Should you file for an extension?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The bell for the April 17 tax return deadline tolls for thee.But don’t panic, says University of Missouri Extension personal financial planning specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Income tax extensions are easy to file and give filers some breathing room. You can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file from the Internal Revenue Service.
SW Mo. dairy and creamery sees positive changes with pack barns
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – Brothers Dwight and David Fry remember the day that they decided to build bedded pack barns for their dairy cows.They visited neighbor David Gray’s barns on a winter day when sleet was pounding down. “His cows were lying there in the barn chewing their cud and making milk,” said Dwight. “Ours were humped up and cold.”
A bray keeps predators away
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – There’s a new guard dog in town. And it’s more likely to bray than bark.A growing number of sheep and goat farmers are using donkeys to keep predators at bay, says Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, small-ruminant specialist at Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Jefferson City.Clifford-Rathert is studying the effectiveness of donkeys in guarding goat and sheep herds from coyotes, bobcats, dogs and other…
Renoe takes on engagement role as new MU assistant vice chancellor
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Susan Renoe has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for research, extension and engagement at the University of Missouri.This new position represents an expanded role for Renoe, who will continue to provide oversight for the MU Connector, a joint unit between the MU Office of Research and MU Extension and Engagement.
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Calibrachoa: Petunia's pretty little cousin takes center stage in 2018
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While new flowering species are introduced on a fairly regular basis, very few have supplanted longtime garden favorites such as geraniums and petunias, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. An exception is calibrachoa, or “callie” for short.
Summit challenges youth to lead with courage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Almost 160 teens and adults attended the 2018 Missouri Youth Civic Leaders Summit near Camdenton in March. Youth and adult teams gathered from more than 20 county 4-H programs and community betterment groups across Missouri. Organizers say the goal of this year’s event, themed “The Courage to Lead,” was to inspire leaders of all ages to lead with courage built on a foundation of character and commitment to service.
Grain bin safety promoted April 9-13
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Five seconds. That is all it takes for flowing grain to trap a farmer. In 60 seconds, grain engulfs and suffocates the farmer. That is why University of Missouri Extension, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Grain Feed Association formed an alliance to help to protect farmworkers. OSHA employees will travel the state to promote “Stand-Up for Grain Engulfment Prevention Week,” April 9-13.
Against the grain
COLUMBIA, Mo.– If you don’t work on a farm, a bin full of grain may not look dangerous. But farmworkers who go inside grain bins can quickly find themselves literally in over their heads. The results can be deadly: Over the last 50 years, hundreds in the U.S. have died from entrapment in grain, including more than two dozen in 2010, the most lethal year on record for grain bin accidents.
Farmers get latest research at MU soybean symposium
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tight crop profits cause farmers to plant more soybean acres. On April 4, growers can learn latest research at a soybean symposium in Columbia.“Plant breeding progress leads to more beans at lower cost,” says Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri soybean specialist and director of the Missouri Soybean Center. “Genetics plays a bigger role in progress.”
MU plant scientist to speak on Callery pear at April 13 event in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Reid Smeda, University of Missouri plant scientist, will speak on the Bradford pear tree and its cousins at a Callery pear educational event hosted by the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force. Smeda studies invasive species in Missouri and serves on the task force.The free event is 2-3 p.m. Friday, April 13, at MU Health Care South Providence Medical Park, 551 E. Southampton Drive, which is on land infested with Callery…
4-H to award funding to state programs to grow true leaders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – 4-H, the largest youth development program in the nation, is calling on alumni and supporters to raise their hands to help bring 4-H to 10 million youth by 2025. Currently, 4-H empowers nearly 6 million young people in every county across America, including more than 190,000 4-H’ers in Missouri.
Planning, patience lead to better forage and cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – Patience pays off for cattle producers who wait for fescue to grow some before turning cattle out for spring grazing, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“After a long winter of feeding hay, producers are anxious to turn cattle into the fescue pasture,” Davis says. “However, it is better to wait until fescue grows to heights of 3 to 8 inches before letting cattle onto fescue pastures…
ReproGene meetings show profits growing with known beef genetics
CUBA, Mo. – Beef herd owners profit from fewer calf death losses, steers grading USDA prime and cows staying in the herd longer. Improved herd performance comes from adding genetics to management.That theme was repeated at three ReproGene Conferences held by University of Missouri Extension across southern Missouri in March. The final meeting was at Cuba, Mo., Monday, March 26.Adding genomics, the science of DNA, to beef breeding is…