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Free webinar series on starting your own small dairy herd
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is hosting a free webinar series on starting a small dairy herd. The eight-session series runs May 28-Dec. 2. “In a time of people wanting to know more about where their food comes from, we’re also seeing an increase in folks becoming more self-sustainable,” said MU Extension dairy field specialist Chloe Collins. One way the dairy industry is a part of this trend is a growing…
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Strong market results in strong bull sale in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – There was a strong showing at the Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Test Bull Sale on March 25 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center in Springfield, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
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Celebrating afterschool professionals
As we mark Afterschool Professional Appreciation Week, it’s time to turn our attention to the unsung heroes who are the driving force behind afterschool programs. While the Missouri AfterSchool Network has raised awareness of the week, the local celebrations taking place in communities across the state provide the direct recognition and appreciation to the afterschool staff.
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Truman gardens still bloom with beauty thanks to Master Gardeners
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – It’s only fitting that the peonies at the President Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence should be in full bud on his May 8 birthday. Peonies still line fragrant walkways to the carriage house at the home of the 33rd president of the United States, just as they did when Harry and Bess Truman lived there.
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Missouri Master Gardeners volunteer to teach others their passion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – During this National Volunteer Week, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall notes that volunteers across the state are the backbone of the Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program. “They are such an important part of our extension mission and are ambassadors for sharing research-based information with our communities,” Reall says.
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MU Extension offers spring lambing guidance
OSCEOLA, Mo. – The benefits of spring lambing and management tips are part of a new University of Missouri Extension publication for sheep producers.
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Macon County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Angela Helton with the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Helton is recognized for more than 25 years of service and support to 4-H in Macon County. “We are honored to recognize Angela Helton for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Macon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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Clark County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present LaTisha Scott-Snead with the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Scott-Snead is recognized for more than eight years of service and support to 4-H in Clark County. “We are honored to recognize LaTisha Scott-Snead for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Clark County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H…
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Missouri 4-H celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 21-27, Missouri 4-H extends its heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of young people across the state.
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Can high cattle prices pay for mistakes?
SALEM, Mo. – With cattle prices at record high levels and many forecasts projecting relatively high prices for the next couple of years, some producers feel they can do no wrong. In times like these, even less-productive cows and mismanaged calves are likely to make a profit.
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Kentucky bluegrass: Too much of a good thing?
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a good, productive grass to include in forage mixtures in the Ozarks region, but having too much of this grass can limit production. Monitoring the amount of Kentucky bluegrass in the forage stand can be helpful to producers. This perennial cool-season grass is identified by the narrow, V-shaped leaf blades. The leaf tips are said to be boat- or canoe-shaped. The leaves are typically 1 to 7 inches…
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Soybean gall midge spreading in Midwest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soybean gall midge is appearing about 10 days earlier than usual in Nebraska crops, says University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension crop protection and cropping systems specialist Justin McMechan. That could spell trouble for Missouri soybean growers as well.
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Rev up safety when riding ATVs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Spring and riding ATVs seem to go together. However, ATV accidents can lead to tragedy when precautions are not followed, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. ATVs can offer hours of fun in the days ahead when riders observe safety rules. She says it is important to teach young riders rules of the road and to teach by example.
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How to have conversations about conservation on leased land
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Various agencies and organizations are promoting practices for soil conservation and ecosystem improvement. These efforts, intended to maintain or improve productivity of the land, often come with financial incentives. Long-term or short-term, these practices also can affect leases and relationships between landowners and tenants.
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Youths test knowledge at Missouri 4-H Horse Bowl
COLUMBIA, Mo. –The 2024 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest, April 13 in Columbia, drew 27 youths, along with their coaches. Top junior (ages 8-13) competitors: first, Adalena McAsey, Andrew County team; second, Josie Schulte, Osage County team; third, Dani Jones, Tri-County team; fourth, Guido Giarratana, Tri-County team; fifth, Lola Schmitt, Newton County team, and Lily Rohr, Tri-County team (tie). The top…
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Ignite by 4-H conference in D.C. inspires Missouri 4-H'ers to lead change
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty-two Missouri teens recently attended Ignite by 4-H, a four-day conference in Washington, D.C., focused on STEM, agriscience and healthy living. “As challenges in our communities increase, it is essential to consider young people as a driving force in creating new pathways to create solutions,” said Bethany Rippy, University of Missouri Extension youth health and well-being educator.
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Use heifer pre-breeding exams as a culling tool and to prepare for breeding season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As cattle producers rebuild their cattle herds, the focus may be to retain heifers as replacements,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Breeding season will soon be upon us, and it is important to retain heifers that are good breeding prospects.
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Use summer annual forages to build your grazing forage base
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Summer annuals are a good way to add diversity and build pasture stands for the upcoming grazing season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Summer annuals are a tool to improve thin pastures stands, help begin the renovations process and add forage diversity to improve cattle productivity. Davis will discuss some summer annuals that can help improve cattle grazing pastures…
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Emerging cattle disease found in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Director of Veterinary Extension Craig Payne urges cattle producers to watch for signs of disease associated with Theileria orientalis (ikeda), a protozoal organism recently detected in Missouri. This organism, which primarily affects cattle, causes disease by infecting red blood cells. The immune system attacks the infected cells, resulting in anemia.
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Codefi, Center on Rural Innovation are Gold Sponsors for 2024 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Codefi and the Center on Rural Innovation are joint 2024 Gold Sponsors for University of Missouri Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC), a conference dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas. The conference, Sept. 17-19 in Fulton, brings together leaders, innovators and change-makers to explore strategies for driving economic growth in rural communities, said Annette…
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MU Extension urges biosecurity to mitigate HPAI on dairy farms
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri dairy farmers are urged to protect their dairy herds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus as the USDA and other federal agencies investigate an illness among dairy cows in seven other states (Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and North Carolina). The illnesses in those states have been confirmed as HPAI.
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MU Extension recruiting farmers for grassland improvement project
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is recruiting farmers for a project aimed at improving the productivity of forage-based operations in areas dominated by tall fescue grass.
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April is National Gardening Month
COLUMBIA, Mo. – April is National Gardening Month and a good time to plant a garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Whether strictly for food production or beautifying the home landscape, gardening is one of the most popular activities among households in the United States. For those who have lacked the motivation to garden, consider the following benefits this popular pastime offers.
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4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raises more than $21K for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – On Saturday, March 16, the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex hosted the second annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot. This event, aimed at supporting the Missouri 4-H Foundation, brought together teams and sponsors from across the state and raised more than $21,000
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States' 4-H International appoints Missouri 4-H alum as board member
COLUMBIA, Mo. – States’ 4-H International, a prominent provider of international student exchange programs, announced the appointment of Missouri 4-H alumna Shea Fitzgerald as a Young Professional Board Member. Missouri 4-H Program Director Lupita Fabregas also serves on the States’ 4-H International Board.