Rotten tomatoes star in garden horror show
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Your beautiful tomato plant is setting fruit and soon has nice green tomatoes. Then, to your horror, a dark sunken spot shows up at the bottom of the fruit.You might think an insect or disease has attacked your plant, but such is not the case. Old-timers referred to the problem as “sooty snoot.” Today, it is called blossom-end rot. It is a physiological disorder caused by a calcium imbalance.
Don't waste precious hay during drought
TROY, Mo. – Drought has pushed livestock producers to hunt for emergency hay.“If you are lucky enough to have hay, take special care to reduce waste this year,” says University of Missouri Extension specialist Charlie Ellis. “This is a good year to pinch pennies and plan on doing some extra labor.”Proper feeding reduces waste and lowers costs with a bonus of improving animal behavior and performance, says Ellis.
Check with your crop insurance agent before you cut
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought.COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agricultural economists recommend that you check with your crop insurance agent before cutting or grazing drought-damaged crops as relief forages.Some producers are finding that drought-stricken corn may have more value as cattle feed than grain this year. They are using the corn to fill feed…
Things to consider as you feed your way through the drought
“Cattle producers are dealing with varying degrees of drought and forage resources,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension livestock field specialist. Some cattle producers have received adequate rain and are recovering from the 2022 drought through rebuilding forage and cattle resources. Other cattle producers have received limited rain and are continuing to deal with drought conditions from 2022 with less resources in 2023.
Top 5 livestock forage actions to take during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most of Missouri is experiencing drought conditions, which have extended almost a full year, putting enormous pressure on cattle producers. University of Missouri Extension specialists have five top action items for producers to do now:
Ammoniation stretches hay supplies during drought
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought. For more articles, go to https://mizzou.us/DroughtResources.COLUMBIA, Mo. – As hay supplies dwindle, University of Missouri Extension agronomist Rusty Lee is showing forage producers how to use a simple, inexpensive treatment to stretch feed supplies during drought.
Vacation planning includes plant care
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Don’t forget plant care when planning your summer getaway. “After a wonderful vacation, it’s never fun to come home to dead plants,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.Before the trip, arrange for a reliable neighbor or plant sitter to water indoor and outdoor plants, says Warmund. To help reduce the workload, group plants together with easy access to water, if possible.
Trees in drought: Love and water deeply
VERSAILLES, Mo. – With more than 90% of Missouri under drought, browning lawns and wilting cornfields are common sights. But don’t forget about your trees. A lawn can be replaced in months, but it takes decades to replace a large tree, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Joni Harper.Trees are a valuable part of home landscapes, says Harper. They beautify surroundings and help save energy by providing…
Use spray-wait-spray to renovate drought-stricken pastures
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought. For more articles, go to https://mizzou.us/DroughtResources. COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forage producers can convert tall fescue pastures to nontoxic novel-endophyte fescue without incurring the main expense usually associated with pasture renovation through mid-July.
Building bridges through virtual cultural exchange
This spring, about 20 Missouri 4-H’ers joined teens living 8,000 miles away in Bangladesh to explore each other’s cultures and learn how much they have in common. The 13- and 14-year-olds were part of a program called EXCEL (EXchange for Cultural Engagement and Learning).
Missouri SBDC continues to “Elevate” second-stage businesses
This spring, five Missouri small businesses began the journey to grow beyond the second stage. Through the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC’s) Elevate program, these five business owners, at no cost to them, are gaining knowledge from various experts that most small-business owners rarely have access to.
Tar spot of corn confirmed in June in Missouri – the earliest ever
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tar spot of corn has been confirmed in two northern Missouri counties: Holt County in northwestern Missouri and Marion County in northeastern Missouri, as well as in six counties in central Iowa and one in northeastern Kansas.
Keep your farm running smoothly with a midyear 'tuneup'
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers are encouraged to conduct a midyear “farm tuneup” as they approach the middle of 2023. Just as farm equipment needs the occasional tuneup, farm management practices can use proactive examination and adjustment to keep an operation on track for the rest of the year.University of Missouri Extension recommends five steps for a midyear farm tuneup:Revisit agricultural budgets
Free plant diagnostic testing available at MU field day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Those attending the annual Mizzou Pest Management Field Day can bring plants for free testing and identification of disease and insects. The field day is Thursday, July 6, at the University of Missouri’s Bradford Research Farm, 8 miles east of Columbia. MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic representatives will accept samples for diagnosis and return them in 3-5 business days.
What is the cost of baling wheat straw?
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers with drought.COLUMBIA, Mo. – With Missouri forage supplies in short supply due to drought, some livestock producers are looking at wheat straw as feedstuff, despite its poor nutrient quality.
High heat and dry conditions can put fish ponds at risk
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The combination of prolonged high heat and dry weather potentially threatens fish ponds, says a University of Missouri Extension fisheries and wildlife specialist.“Fish are at risk from high water temperatures, oxygen depletion, increased disease potential and other problems as water levels drop in ponds through lack of runoff and evaporation,” said Bob Pierce.
Bristle for thistles that run amok
GALENA, Mo. – Thistles have taken advantage of grass stands weakened by drought, and many southwestern Missouri fields now have large amounts of musk and bull thistles, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg.He reminds Missouri landowners that state law requires them to control all Canada, musk or Scotch thistles and prevent them from going to seed.
Missouri youths compete at 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Thirty-six youths from across Missouri attended the 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day, June 10 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center in Columbia.Competitions included a poultry judging contest, quiz bowl, egg demonstration contest, photo contest and dozen egg contest.
2023 MU leadership tour showcases partnerships in NE Missouri
What do a lavender farm, a distillery, a lively coffee shop, dozens of cover crop test plots and a college and careers pathway program for youth have in common? They show how the University of Missouri works to strengthen Missouri’s economy and empower people to improve their lives.
Franklin County farm hosts Missouri Dairy Summer Social
WASHINGTON, Mo. – Riegel Dairy in Washington, Mo., will host the Missouri Dairy Summer Social 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 30.Grade A dairy producers statewide are encouraged to attend this free educational event, says Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist and educational director of Missouri Dairy.Recognized as a leading producer in the state, Riegel Dairy uses technology to help manage its herd of 780…
Golfers help raise more than $91,000 at Missouri 4-H Clover Classic
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Golfers returned to the green at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia to support Missouri 4-H youths at the 13th annual 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament on June 6. Co-presenting sponsors were Climate Field View and Great American Insurance-Crop Division.
Gardens: Fast food for hungry critters
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cute critters by day, gardeners’ worst enemies by night.Most gardeners know the frustration of having a beautiful garden decimated by wildlife, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
MU Extension launches Crop & Pest text alert system
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers have a new tool to alert them to insects, crop diseases and other important information from University of Missouri Extension specialists.MU Extension specialists launched the Mizzou Crop & Pest Text Alert system in response to their clients’ desire for an easy way to get important, timely information in the field.
Graves-Chapple weather station updates to real-time information
ROCK PORT, Mo. – An upgraded University of Missouri weather station in Atchison County now provides real-time weather data.The South Atchison weather station will give the agricultural community automated critical information, says Jim Crawford, director of the MU Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center.
Fireflies illuminate landscapes with summer love
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The flickering of fireflies signals the beginning of warm summer nights. Although these common beetles evoke a sense of wonder for many people, they are simply performing a luminescent courtship ritual that has evolved over countless years, says University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist Michele Warmund.