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Great landscapes begin with quality topsoil
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Quality landscapes begin with quality topsoil.Topsoil is the top 3-10 inches of the soil. Most surface soils have higher organic matter content than subsoil, but not all surface soil is ideal for gardens or lawns, says Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Extension Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.
Poppy: A remembrance of fallen heroes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row … .” So begins “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian poet and military physician.“The hauntingly eloquent words of McCrae helped to immortalize poppy as one of the most recognized symbols honoring soldiers who have died in combat,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
On patrol for critter control
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pest control in the garden might conjure images of a season-long battle with bugs, weeds and diseases. But sometimes four-legged “friends” such as deer, rabbits and squirrels can inflict far more damage, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Beyond the show ring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nineteen youths from across the state came to Columbia on May 5 to compete in the first Missouri FFA Swine Facility Management Contest.The event, hosted by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Pork Association, took place at the Mizzou Swine Teaching and Research Farm, part of MU South Farm in Columbia.
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Wheatlage or grain? New decision tool helps find the 'sweet spot'
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool helps farmers decide the breakeven price for wheatlage compared to harvesting their wheat as grain.
Planting progress shifts in warmer, drier weather
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Warmer and drier weather is expected to help farmers make solid planting progress this week. Normally, corn planting advances about 17 percentage points this week to 67% complete by May 15, says Martyn Foreman, University of Missouri Extension instructor in agricultural economics. “While corn planting progress is unlikely to reach the average next week, the gap should narrow significantly.”
Birth of a franchise, DocuLock - St. Joseph, MO
“Our first quarter sales this year almost exceeded our total sales of last year because of a paradigm shift in how we do business,” said Paul Janicek, owner of DocuLock in St. Joseph, Missouri. Janicek attributes that shift to the open-heart surgery he went through in 2020.
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Munch a bunch of edible flowers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Edible blooms give flower power to spring meals, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Edible flowers add nutrition, texture and color to your plate, Warmund says. They can be candied, stir-fried, added to butters, steeped for teas and added to breads, soups, sauces, desserts or salads.
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Delayed planting can affect Missouri corn yields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Once again, wet soils have delayed corn planting throughout Missouri. The USDA’s May 2 Crop Progress and Condition report for the state shows that 27% of intended corn acres is planted – half the five-year average. Southeastern Missouri, the state’s earliest-planted region, has had the greatest delay in corn planting.
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Fall application increases risk of nitrogen loss for corn
COLUMBIA, Mo. – High nitrogen prices and concerns about fertilizer supplies have disrupted nitrogen management for the 2022 growing season.“For corn, there were many reports of anhydrous ammonia being applied earlier than normal and that more nitrogen was applied in the fall than normal,” said John Lory, University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist. “Nitrogen applied in November waits in the soil over six months…
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Rain, heat increase risk of ponding
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Predicted temperatures in the low 90s the week of May 8 combined with intense or recurrent rainfall could result in damage to corn and soybean crops from ponding, saturated soils and flooding, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold.Survival of submerged corn and soybean seedlings depends on seed quality, flood duration, water temperatures, how fast fields dry and location of the growing point in…
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Forage - Mission Possible?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Interested in an impossible task? Try making dry hay in Missouri in early spring. But baleage can turn spring forage harvest in Missouri into “Mission: Possible.”
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4-H youths test skills at 2022 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, April 9, drew 70 4-H members to compete at William Woods University in Fulton. The 4-H delegation was greeted by newly appointed William Woods University President Jeremy Moreland. After the contest, youths and coaches toured the facilities and learned more about the university’s equine program from faculty and students.
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4-H youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest, April 10, drew 19 youths from across the state to the MU campus to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related topics.Top junior competitors (ages 8-10 only)First, Paige Harris, Callaway County.Second, Edith Carson, Boone County.Top junior competitors (ages 8-13)
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Henry County 4-H’er goes to Capitol Hill for National Ag Day Student Leadership Program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Former Henry County 4-H member Brendon Engeman was one of five youths selected to represent 4-H in March for National Ag Day Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill. The trip to Washington, D.C., was part of the 2022 National Ag Day Student Leadership Program, which engages young people to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.
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Dogwood: Nature's little showoff
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Few spring scenes are as spectacular as the annual display provided by dogwood trees in the Ozark woodlands,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Inconspicuous for most of the year, these diminutive denizens of our forests outdo their towering neighbors with spectacular exhibitions of color before most other species leaf out, Trinklein says.
Missouri farmers can profit using modern, sustainable aquaculture technology
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ninety percent of the U.S. seafood supply is imported, mostly from China and Southeast Asia. Around 25% of U.S. wild-caught fish are exported to Asia for processing and then reimported to the U.S. “Adapting improved fish and shrimp production technologies offers significant opportunity for Missouri farmers to profit from farm-raised fish and seafood,” says David Brune, aquaculture specialist and extension professor at…
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Weekly Garden Hour resumes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As growing season begins, University of Missouri Extension’s weekly Garden Hour returns to its noon slot on Wednesdays. MU Extension specialists address lawn, garden, disease and insect questions during the free hourlong virtual sessions.Listeners receive a weather report from MU Extension climatologist Pat Guinan and hear brief sessions on timely gardening topics, says MU Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.
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Missouri farm income to set new records in 2022
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farm income appears on pace for another record year, according to John Kruse, associate research and extension professor in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri.
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Growing a greater tomorrow with Victory Over the Virus gardens
Twilia Harrison was paging through a magazine one day when she came across an article about victory gardens. Decades ago, people planted home gardens to supplement rations and boost public morale throughout the world wars. That gave Twilia, of Shell Knob, an idea. Why not try something similar to bring her southwestern Missouri community together after the challenges of COVID-19?
Benefit of killing annual weeds in winter wheat depends on weed, yield loss
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Killing common annual weeds in winter wheat may or may not be a good financial decision, especially when input costs are high, says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.Winter wheat is one of the most competitive crops planted, Bradley says.Bradley offers these guidelines based on research from MU and other reputable sources.Common chickweed
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No reports of spotted lanternfly in Missouri but vigilance urged
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While not yet detected in Missouri, spotted lanternfly remains a concern for vineyards, certain trees and specialty crops as it continues to spread west. If spotted lanternfly (SLF) reaches Missouri, early detection and insecticide control measures will be key to reducing the economic damage, says Dean Volenberg, viticulture extension professor with the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute.
Breeding by protocol: 7&7 Synch
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As breeding seasons for seasonal pasture-based dairy herds and beef cows approach, it might be time to consider if a new estrus synchronization protocol developed by the University of Missouri could benefit your operation.Getting cows pregnant in beef herds and seasonal grazing dairies is critical for these operations, said MU Extension dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton and Scott Poock, MU associate extension professor…
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New webpages for MU Extension and Education Centers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For more than 100 years, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) has played a vital role in carrying out the University of Missouri’s land-grant and extension missions through research, education and engagement. Last year, the Moving AES Forward task force outlined a restructuring of this statewide network of farms and centers.
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Missouri 4-H celebrates its amazing volunteers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, Missouri 4-H wants to shout out heartfelt thanks to its amazing volunteers. Thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H. Because of their efforts, 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri youths.