Marketing matters in direct-to-consumer beef sales
FORSYTH, Mo. – Selling beef directly from the farm to consumers gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Though adoption has slowed, selling direct to consumers remains a popular option for Missouri beef producers as an alternative to selling live animals, as it allows the producer to capture additional value otherwise obtained by others in the food processing chain,” said Jacob Hefley, University of Missouri…
Reminder that Hickory County Cattlemen's Bus Tour is Aug. 5-8
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bus tours are a good way to visit cattle producers, marketing facilities, slaughter facilities and college/university farms to gain knowledge and management strategies that can be used to help improve your cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Early June peas
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No other vegetable is as closely associated with a month of the year as is garden pea, and few things match the gastronomic appeal of fresh peas from the garden. The term “early June peas” often appears on labels to indicate they are young and still have a high sugar content, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Peas are sweetest when they mature in cool weather, before too much of the…
Honoring the nation's dairy farmers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – June is National Dairy Month, when we honor the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers. This cornerstone of American agriculture contributes to the economy and to the health and well-being of communities. University of Missouri Extension offers resources, expertise and research tailored for dairy producers and consumers, connecting dairy products to key production and business information. Putting dairy in your diet
Filling the summer forage gap
LINNEUS, Mo. – Gaps in summer forages for livestock producers can be challenging. University of Missouri Extension agronomy field specialist Valerie Tate in Linn County shares management solutions, including planting warm-season annual forages such as pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass, to fill a void in summer forage production or when renovating forage stands.
Spring SW Missouri bull breeding soundness exam day results
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bull breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are important to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The exam evaluates bull physical and reproductive soundness. Using bulls that fail this exam can lead to poor conception, pregnancy, calving and weaning rates, which results in poor operation productivity and profitability,…
New guide details Show-Me-Select enhanced option
COLUMBIA, Mo. – An additional marketing opportunity for cattle producers is outlined in a new University of Missouri Extension guide, “Adding Value to Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers Using Show-Me-Plus,” available at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2094.
MU Extension releases soybean yield tool
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool developed by University of Missouri Extension’s state soybean specialist, Andre Froes de Borja Reis, can indicate soybean growth and anticipate yield deviations before the end of the season. “This tool is designed to predict soybean development and yield based on crop growth models,” Reis said. “It simulates soybean growth in various regions of Missouri, using both historical and current weather data.”
Summer Tax School equips preparers for success with ag clients
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri tax preparers are invited to earn continuing education credit and brush up on the latest tax-related topics at a one-day Summer Tax School. University of Missouri Extension will hold the event July 2 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Columbia, with an online option for those wanting to attend remotely.
Workshop series for women in urban ag offers risk management education
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – New and beginning women producers in urban agriculture have a new opportunity to learn about producing and marketing locally grown products. University of Missouri Extension and Annie’s Project will host a series, “Empowering Women in Urban Agriculture,” that offers insights into risk management, business planning and urban agriculture opportunities for those in metropolitan St. Louis.
Records set at SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Record prices were seen at the southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards on May 17,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Management strategies to reduce pink eye in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Warm weather brings on environmental factors that can lead to pink eye in cattle,” says Patrick Davis University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Pink eye can lead to reduced cattle performance, which affects profitability.
MDC, MU Extension thank Master Naturalists for 2023 accomplishments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension thank the Missouri Master Naturalists for volunteering thousands of hours to conserving Missouri’s natural resources in 2023.
Landowners, tenants invited to respond to 2024 Missouri Cash Rental Rate Survey
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension researchers invite Missouri landowners, farmers, ranchers and hunters to participate in the 2024 Missouri Cash Rental Rate Survey to inform land value trends and aid decision-making.
Digital Ambassadors: Connecting Missourians through trusted partners
When Lisa Robinson’s mother was in hospice care, an online consultation with a trusted doctor brought a quick diagnosis, a prescription to clear up an infection — and peace of mind. That experience prompted Robinson, a University of Missouri Extension field specialist, to volunteer to lead a Digital Ambassador pilot project in Newton County.
AI for leadership
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Businesses that do not consider using AI will fall behind those that do. Businesses without an AI approach will become less and less competitive.” This was the message from Chi-Ren Shyu, director of the University of Missouri MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics.
Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $95,000 in scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding 70 scholarships totaling $95,000 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their educations. “We are thrilled to support these exceptional young people as they continue their educational journeys,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Their dedication to 4-H and their communities is inspiring, and we are confident they will continue to achieve great things…
MU Extension to host free Tri-County Economic Summit in SW Missouri
University of Missouri Extension will host a Regional Economic Development Summit for Barry, Dade and Lawrence counties Tuesday, Sept. 3, at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center in Mount Vernon.
Recommendations for thrips management in the Missouri Bootheel
2024 has not been an ideal year for thrips management due to the consistent overcast during the daytime hours. This restricts thrips movement, and in hand can increase injury. Hot and sunny conditions are ideal not because thrips are more active, but because cotton and growth development occur more rapidly. We highlight some management options for thrips control in 2024.
Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
News releases, videos, publications and more. Publications In-depth information is available from these MU Extension publications, which are available for free download. (To access publications, use the links below or go extension.missouri.edu/publications/ and search by publication number.)
Peony: A Memorial Day tradition
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In the 1800s, peonies were one of the few flowers in bloom in late May. After the Civil War, mourners used peonies to adorn the graves of fallen soldiers on Decoration Day, which we now call Memorial Day. The huge, lavish blooms emit a luscious floral perfume that continues to make them one of America’s most treasured garden flowers, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
MU Extension brings Recovery Friendly Workplace model to Nebraska
Missouri’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative is working with the Nebraska Safety Council on developing a similar program in Nebraska, said Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Program Director Ann McCauley.
Lafayette County MU Extension District makes strides toward long-term legacy
HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. – In April 2023, local voters approved a tax levy for the expansion and improvement of extension-related services to Lafayette County. This investment focused on financial security, hands-on learning, bridging technology and health gaps, and establishing and improving educational and engagement facilities for Lafayette County.
Horticulturists tour tulips of the Netherlands
Some University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialists recently traveled to the Netherlands to experience the height of the tulip season. The specialists toured the vast Keukenhof botanical garden in Lisse, Netherlands, where about 7 million tulip bulbs are planted each year.
Rains bring drought relief to Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most of Missouri has transitioned out of drought conditions for now, said University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor. “The past two months have brought abundant rainfall to most of Missouri,” Leasor said. “After back-to-back drought years in 2022 and 2023, drought concerns were high in early 2024 following warm and dry conditions in February and March.”