

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

How to have conversations about conservation on leased land
Agencies promote soil-conservation incentives that can impact land leases. Guide helps landowners and tenants discuss practices, costs, and timing.

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…

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.

Use heifer pre-breeding exams as a culling tool and to prepare for breeding season
Learn how pre-breeding exams assess reproductive tract, pelvic area, body condition and soundness to guide culling and retention of heifers.

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…

Emerging cattle disease found in Missouri
Alert: a tick-borne cattle blood parasite, Theileria orientalis Ikeda, newly detected in six Missouri counties as of March 1 2024.

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.
MU Extension recruiting farmers for grassland improvement project
Recruiting farmers to adopt grassland management practices for improved forage productivity and environmental benefits with specialist support.

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.

Challenges and strategies in optimizing soybean planting
Explore strategies to optimize soybean planting, from timing to variety and maturity group, for higher yield potential.

4-H in NE Missouri: Getting To Know Your County
A youth specialist guides a team through mapping local schools, events, resources and demographics across NE Missouri counties.

Kansas City neighborhoods 'write the vision'
A self-described data geek, Shatomi Luster-Edward has the All Things Missouri link bookmarked for ready access. Luster-Edward has found the MU CARES data-mapping and data-visualization tool vital to her work as MU Extension Urban West regional director.

MU Extension research on lavender finds options for Missouri growers
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After three years of research, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialists are learning how to successfully grow lavender in Missouri. The popularity of lavender’s fresh scent has endured since ancient times. Cleopatra reportedly used it to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. By the 16th century, people were using it to ward off disease, preserve the dead and ease indigestion.

Bringing internet access to Missouri’s least-connected counties
Grant-funded initiative supports community-led planning to bring affordable high-speed internet to Missouri’s most underserved rural counties.

Warrensburg Adventure Club provides stability, support and a sense of belonging
Warrensburg R6 Adventure Club provides children with stability, support, and a sense of belonging through holistic development and community engagement.

Hosta steps out of the shadows in 2024
Discover shade-loving hostas: vibrant foliage, thousands of varieties, easy care, plus planting and pest tips.

Total eclipse is brief 'buzzkill' for bees
Bees remain active as light fades during the eclipse, then abruptly go silent at totality—an unexpected behavioral pause likely mimicking nightfall.