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Hog farmers defy supply and demand; price outlook stays above expectation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year, hog farmers dodged lower prices when they expanded sow herds and grew the second-largest pork supply since 2008.Prices stayed above expectation, say University of Missouri Extension economists. Growing exports and consumers’ love for bacon helped demand for growing supply.However, the economists caution, “At this rate, supply can outstrip demand.”
Chicken-wing demand helps farm prices; turkeys don’t share consumer taste shift
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Chicken wings helped poultry farm prices take off this year. Wing prices ran at least 30 percent above year-ago levels since late May, say University of Missouri Extension economists.Thighs and legs also sold well above a year ago. Dark meat leads demand, say Scott Brown and Daniel Madison.A trend to dark hasn’t helped turkey sales, however. “Chicken and turkey prices moved in opposite directions in 2017,” Brown says.
MU FRTI staff member deploys to Hurricane Harvey
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) curriculum specialist Erin McGruder does more than just write about disaster response. McGruder, a member of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Missouri Task Force 1 (MO-TF1), deployed to Texas as a technical information specialist in response to Hurricane Harvey’s devastating August landfall.
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MU Extension receives USDA tech grant for pastures
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has received a $444,000 grant to create a mobile application to help farmers manage forage better. The Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services is one of 33 nationwide. It provides seed money to implement new ideas and techniques for conservation on private lands, says NRCS state conservationist J.R. Flores.
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Mum's forgotten cousin bursts with fall color
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The fall beauty, aster, gets its name from the ancient Greek word for star. And a bright and shining star it is, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Regional hay school offered Oct. 14 in Linn
LINN, Mo. – Livestock producers and horse owners can learn how to make “Hay That Pays” at the University of Missouri Extension regional hay school Oct. 14 in Linn.The event runs 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Community Christian Church, 1598 U.S. Highway 50, Linn.Attendees will be able to decide if making their own hay and balage is right for their farming operations, says MU Extension livestock specialist Anita Ellis.
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Nature's multipurpose utensils
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Our ancestors couldn’t go to the hardware store or shopping mall to buy utensils and other household essentials. Instead, they improvised with items found in nature.
Cover crops improve garden soil
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “You don’t need a green thumb to be a good gardener, but it certainly helps to have good soil,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Pretty pear trees invasive, hard to kill
Ornamental Callery/Bradford pear trees easily escape cultivation, form dense thickets, and resist control efforts in natural areas.
Missouri youth to celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 1-7
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the 75th consecutive year, millions of youth, parents, volunteers and alumni across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week during the first week of October.
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MU FRTI's Tim Hartz participates in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tim Hartz, instructional support associate with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI), participated in the Missouri Division of Fire Safety Stair Climb on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Jefferson City.
MU Extension offers course for public board members
UNIONVILLE, Mo. – You’ve just been elected to a public board of directors. Now what? University of Missouri Extension offers a two-night course to help newly elected board members. The course is offered at Unionville, Kahoka, Trenton, Brookfield, Edina and Palmyra, 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 16. Topics:
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Plant daffodils now for early spring color
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fall is an ideal time to establish daffodils for a glorious show of color next spring.
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The flower that thrives on neglect
Tough and low-maintenance, spiderwort brings beauty to gardens with minimal care, thriving in poor soil and partial shade.
Cover crop residue can complicate nitrogen management in corn
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers who rely on surface-applied nitrogen may have difficulty if they apply to fields with high surface residue, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.This is especially true for UAN solution, Lory says. Residue can temporarily tie up nitrogen fertilizer because it is taken up by microorganisms decomposing the residue.“This is particularly a problem with liquid nitrogen…
It's time to plant summer's noon ambrosia—sweet corn
Homegrown sweet corn needs hot sun, warm soil and timely planting. Learn planting depth, spacing, pollination, watering and harvesting tips.
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Testing tells alfalfa's worth
Test alfalfa hay to know its true nutritional value, boost livestock performance, and make informed feeding and supplement decisions.
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Rare fish, found only in Perry County, sheds light on improved water quality
A rare Perry County fish thrives as local farming practices improve water quality in the region's caves.
AgrAbility raises awareness of medicines' side effects
COLUMBIA, Mo. – All medicine has side effects. Even minor side effects can be deadly for farmers, says Kelly Cochran of the Missouri AgrAbility Project’s Pharm to Farm program. The statewide outreach program helps farmers identify medical risks through their local pharmacist. In many rural Missouri areas, pharmacists fill health care gaps. They are the first line of defense in farm health and safety.
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Asparagus, the food of emperors, reigns supreme
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nothing sings spring more than asparagus.
Cleansing rain helps wheat after flood
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Wheat flooded before harvest brings questions from affected farmers. What do they do now?University of Missouri Extension field crops specialists said, “Wait and see.” During a weekly teleconference, field staff answered questions from farmers.Dirty or even mud-caked wheat could benefit from more rain. The forecast for many parts the state includes rain.
Let flood-damaged homes dry thoroughly before installing new coverings
Ensure flood-damaged homes dry fully before replacing coverings to prevent mold, mildew, and long-term damage.
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Warm, wet weather can trigger mold growth
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and rising temperatures can turn parts of your home into ideal sites for mold growth, said a University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist. Houses damaged by storms and flooding are especially vulnerable, but mold can strike any home. “Mold is everywhere,” said Michael Goldschmidt.
Protect yourself from contractor fraud
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When storms, floods and other disasters leave damaged homes in their path, local contractors often get more business than they can handle. In many cases, out-of-town contractors will arrive in force to pick up the slack. Think twice and exercise caution before accepting the services of an out-of-town contractor, advises a University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist.
Reducing flood damage to home and property
TRENTON, Mo.– University of Missouri Extension has prepared a checklist of measures people can take to reduce the impact of floodwater on their homes. __KNOW YOUR FLOOD RISK: Call your local emergency management office for information about flooding. Pay attention media reports monitoring the situation and the estimated date/time of arrival.