Image
An open letter to the Missouri agriculture community
Rebecca Mott and John Tummons, University of Missouri professors, researchers, livestock producers and parents, share their insights — including Mott’s research on youth livestock production — about handling disappointment and focusing on caring connections in the time of COVID-19.
Missouri 4-H'ers exceed 250,000-meal food drive goal
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Image
How to do a food demo for 95 in a pandemic
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A few shoppers glared at Jasmine Cobb, thinking she was one of those people hoarding supplies in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of toilet paper, her cart brimmed with precisely 95 of each item on her list: sweet potatoes, red onions, cans of black beans and much more. That many jars of chili powder really turned heads.
Ponding creates potential for crop damage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Intense or recurrent rainfall creates the potential for damage from ponding, saturated soils and flooding for corn and soybean crops, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. Some parts of southern Missouri have received 25-30 inches of precipitation since the beginning of the year, says MU Extension climatologist Pat Guinan.
Castrating, Dehorning and Implanting
“Calf processing prior to sale that reduces work for the buyer after sale potentially makes that calf more valuable at sale time,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist. The added value can lead to improved profitability of the cattle operation. Below, Davis provides thoughts on a few calf processing strategies that can add value to your calves.
Layoff aversion & strategies to maintain your workforce
The economic shock from the coronavirus is something we have not experienced in recent memory. The sudden stoppage of the economy makes it difficult to remember that until March one of the primary concerns for many business owners was finding a workforce to meet their needs.
Show-Me-Select heifer sale in Joplin shows solid results
JOPLIN, Mo. - The May 15 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards saw a large turnout and active bidding on most lots, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole. The 215 heifers averaged $1,687.“The sale started off hot with four of the first six lots topping the $2,000 mark,” said Cole. The top price of $2,200 was paid for two red Angus heifers consigned by Kunkel Farms,…
Image
A consistent presence
Eldon Cole has served Missourians through MU Extension for 50-plus years. A lot has changed in the 56 years that Eldon Cole has served as a University of Missouri Extension specialist, but one thing has remained incredibly consistent – Cole’s desire to build relationships with the Missourians he continually serves.
Reading Role Models
Families are reading role models and promote the importance of literacy in a child’s life. Modeling engaged reading helps children form their beginning literacy skills. Children learn to use verbal and nonverbal communication including speech and sign language through early literacy skill development.
Grow your own veggies to ease COVID-19 financial stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In response to the tremendous interest in home food production, University of Missouri Extension now offers a free online course in basic vegetable gardening.“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put an added financial strain on many Missouri families,” said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This has resulted in many people putting out vegetable gardens for the first time in an attempt to lower their food bills.
Image
Podcast offers relationship advice during social distancing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Coronavirus has changed our lives one way or another, including our ability to have and maintain relationships during social distancing. A podcast on “Managing Relationships While Social Distancing” features a panel of four relationship researchers, including Kale Monk, assistant professor and state extension specialist in the University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Considerations for bagged storage
Before deciding to use bags for storage, consider these key aspects of successfully using bagged storage:
Image
MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute director to retire in August 2020
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Kevin D. Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI), will retire this August. “After a distinguished career, Kevin Zumwalt leaves us with the legacy of a safer Missouri and a standard of excellence in the training of emergency service personnel,” said MU Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Marshall Stewart.
Temporary grain storage piles
Characteristics needed to build a temporary grain storage pileA grain storage pile can be constructed as either a short-term or long-term storage facility, depending upon whether a grain aeration system is included. Aeration is a necessary component of a grain storage structure to successfully manage grain, so it can be stored for long periods of time. The steps below outline the basics of constructing a covered, grain storage pile…
Image
MU Foremost Dairy colostrum management exceeds industry standards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri’s Foremost Dairy developed a colostrum management system that helps it far exceed Gold Standards set by the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, says MU Extension dairy veterinarian Scott Poock.
Farmers markets: Safe, reliable, local food during COVID-19
ST. PETERS, Mo. – You can still safely shop and eat local during COVID-19, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Farmers market managers across the state are working with advisers and local health departments to ensure the safety of their customers,” said Justin Keay, an extension horticulture specialist in the St. Louis area.
Houseplants may improve your health
Houseplants may improve your health
Safe gardening grows your mindfulness
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Looking for a way to improve your physical and mental well-being during stressful times? A University of Missouri Extension horticulturist recommends gardening as a perfect solution. “Gardening provides many health benefits that are needed during these stressful times,” said Jennifer Schutter. “These benefits include exercise, a boost in mental health from time spent in nature and growing your own healthy food.”
Spinach's popularity grew during Great Depression
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Many unsubstantiated stories exist about why cartoonist E.C. Segar chose spinach to give superhuman powers to his comic strip character Popeye the Sailor during the Great Depression.
Resources on COVID-19 in multifamily and public housing developments
The National Healthy Homes Partnership at the University of Missouri presented three webinars in May on COVID-19 mitigation strategies for multifamily and public housing developments. The webinars and handouts give developers, apartment owners and public housing directors important and timely information on how to maintain, clean and disinfect properties to mitigate exposure to COVID-19. Each webinar is about an hour long. One of the…
Image
Longtime 4-H volunteer shows no sign of slowing down
Elaine George is no stranger to 4-H. For more than 30 years she’s been club leader to the Hallsville Go-Getters, and there’s no sign of her slowing down. Her club is among the largest in the state. “It’s just a part of my life,” Elaine said.
Wet, cool wet weather playing havoc with crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some Missouri corn producers are seeing damage from cold, wet soil conditions and hail.Corn growers participating in the University of Missouri Extension Plant Sciences weekly online town hall meeting on May 8 reported seeing seedling leaves of corn twist and unfurl underground.
Image
East Central Ag Tidbits offers quick and timely tips
STEELVILLE, Mo. – Ag Tidbits, produced by University of Missouri Extension faculty in east-central Missouri, provides relevant and timely online tips for farmers and ranchers statewide at facebook.com/MUecAgTIDBITS.
Remove cool-season grass seed heads before they emerge
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – “Missouri livestock producers have some options to manage tall fescue seed head development and the toxic endophyte issues we have in Missouri,” says Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Seed heads emerge in tall fescue grass pastures by mid-May across most of Missouri.