Image
Mo. Blueberry School is Feb. 21-22
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Registration is now open for the 2025 Missouri Blueberry School. The event, Feb. 21-22, offers updates on diseases, soil health, pruning and other issues related to commercial blueberry production. The Feb. 21 classroom session will be at the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield. Speakers include horticulturists from University of Missouri Extension, University of Arkansas and Missouri State University. There also…
Image
American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop is Feb. 28 in St. Clair County
OSCEOLA, Mo. – February is Lamb Lovers Month, as designated by the American Lamb Board. In recognition of this, University of Missouri Extension in St. Clair County will host the American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in Osceola. The event aims to foster connections between producers and consumers, said David Brown, MU Extension sheep and goats specialist.
Image
Beef conference focuses on how to feed for better herd health, profits
MONETT, Mo. – Forage and livestock producers in southwest Missouri will hear how to make the most of their feed to improve herd health and boost profits at the first Monett Beef Conference and trade show on Feb. 18. The free event is 6-9 p.m. at the Scott Regional Technology Center, 2 David Sippy Drive, Monett.
Image
Missouri 4-H livestock judging team in top 10 at Western National Roundup
DENVER, Colo. – Missouri 4-H was well-represented at the 2025 Western National Roundup Livestock Judging Contest, held in Denver, Colo., on Jan. 10. The Livingston County team placed sixth out of 25 competing teams.
Image
A Century of Growth: Celebrating Missouri 4-H families
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation proudly celebrates seven families as recipients of the 2024 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. This award recognizes families who have collectively dedicated 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service to the Missouri 4-H program, showcasing their profound impact on youth development and community enrichment. 2024 Century Family Award recipients: Cass County • The Caldwell Family
Image
Frost seeding legumes improves pastures several ways
LINNEUS, Mo. – Adding diversity to a pasture can make it more productive than growing tall fescue alone. Diversity can also aid in reducing or diluting the effects of fescue toxicity, improve nutritive value of forage, increase weight gain and enhance soil health, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts.
Image
Are there opportunities to cut fertilizer costs in 2025?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension economist Ben Brown and others predict 2025 corn prices will drop below $4.50 per bushel. This is one of a series of articles by University of Missouri Extension specialists suggesting ways to reduce input costs in a year that many farmers may struggle to keep production costs below the price of corn.
Image
Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference is Feb. 28
VIENNA, Mo. – The Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference, presented by University of Missouri Extension specialists, is Friday, Feb. 28, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 206 Sixth St., Vienna.
Image
Cattle recordkeeping system for success
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As a new year begins, cattle producers may find value in looking back at the previous year to evaluate the operation’s productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In this previous year’s evaluation, cattle producers should evaluate their recordkeeping system and determine if it was successful or if changes are needed.
Image
10 ways to manage high input costs in 2025
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Wayne Flanary says 2025 likely will be a year when corn producers need to batten down the hatches to offset low sale prices and high input costs. MU Extension ag business economist Ben Brown and others predict that corn prices will fall below the $4.30 mark by the end of 2025, a marked drop from $6.54 per bushel in 2023.
Image
'Growing Success' webinar series supports food and farm entrepreneurs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Small-scale food and farm entrepreneurs face unique challenges with business planning and marketing. To help meet these needs, University of Missouri Extension is launching “Growing Success: Marketing and Business Development for Small Farms.” Running throughout March, this evening webinar series is designed to equip attendees with practical skills and resources for success.
Image
MU studies how varieties, seed treatments reduce SCN
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soybean growers can’t rely on seed treatments alone to combat soybean cyst nematode (SCN), says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish.
Image
Prepare for a successful calving season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “When planning for a successful calving season, plan for everything that might happen with the goal of the cow giving birth with little difficulty to a healthy calf,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Furthermore, manage cows to provide adequate quality and quantity of nourishment to the calf and rebred during the next breeding season.
Image
Missouri 2025 Ag Outlook shows road ahead
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri experts have released the Show-Me 2025 Missouri Agricultural Outlook, which shows a mixed outlook for Missouri’s crops and livestock and the challenges and opportunities ahead. The report is available at https://mizzou.us/MAO25.
Image
Learn to sell at farmers markets in March
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you have always wanted to sell produce and other goods at the local farmers market but didn’t know where to begin, University of Missouri Extension can help. MU Extension field specialist Eli Isele and other extension professionals will teach a five-part online series in March on “Selling at the Farmers Market.” The class, held via Zoom, is noon-1 p.m. March 10-14.
Image
Taney County Livestock and Forage Conference to equip producers for success
FORSYTH, Mo. – Livestock producers in Taney County and the surrounding region are invited to attend the 2025 Taney County Livestock and Forage Conference. This free educational event will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help livestock producers improve their operations. The conference is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Forsyth High School, 178 Panther Road, Forsyth.
Image
MU Extension calls for speakers for Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension invites dynamic speakers and facilitators to share their expertise at this year’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Excelsior Springs.
Image
Genetics for a better cow herd
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Improving fertility in cows involves leveraging genetic selection and advanced genomic tools to enhance reproductive performance. But genetic potential is only half the battle. Environment is the other half, said University of Missouri Extension state beef genetics specialist Jamie Courter at the recent Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville.
Image
Show-Me State shows strong growth
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s economy surged ahead in the third quarter of 2024. The state’s gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 3.8%, outpacing the U.S. average of 3.1% and ranking 16th nationwide for economic growth during the quarter.
Image
Do fungicides pay off in soybean?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fungicides can be an essential part of an integrated pest management plan, but they do not always provide a positive return on investment for soybean producers, according to University of Missouri strip trial research.
Image
Gardening boosts your immune system
We tend to think about our immune system more during the cooler months, as they coincide with cold and flu season. Research shows that gardening can naturally boost the immune system, making it a great way to stay healthy year-round. Three ways gardening helps our bodies fight off illness and infection are: 1. Increased movement
Image
Forage specialist tells value of sunn hemp at Feb. 25 event
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann will discuss how sunn hemp can complement tall fescue in rotational grazing systems at the 41st annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference, Feb. 25 in Springfield.
Image
Tools help farmers estimate American Relief Plan assistance
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri specialists have developed online tools to help farmers estimate their potential payments from the American Relief Act, which was passed by Congress late last year. “Economic assistance payments to Missouri crop producers are expected to provide significant liquidity to the local farm sector,” said Alejandro Plastina, director of the MU Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF).
Image
SW Mo. Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 11 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Conference, Feb. 11 in Springfield, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operations.
Image
SW Mo. Spring Forage Conference is Feb. 25 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – The Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference is Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.