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CEC invites community builders to recharge, reconnect and reimagine local impact
University of Missouri Extension invites economic developers, chamber of commerce directors, nonprofit professionals and community leaders from across the state to attend the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in downtown Excelsior Springs.
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Three days to hay with a minor change
LINNEUS, Mo. – May’s precipitation has made haymaking challenging when rain is frequent and sometimes unpredictable, but University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts has a tip to help hay dry down quicker. Roberts turns the knob to set the swath boards on the swather to the widest setting.
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Private, public cooperators reduce Missouri feral hog numbers
SALEM, Mo. – Feral hog occupancy of Missouri watersheds has fallen 84% since 2016, when the state’s Feral Hog Elimination Partnership began. Funded by the U.S. Farm Bill and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the partnership comprises 18 federal and state entities work together to eliminate feral hogs on public and private lands.
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Poppy: Remembrance of fallen heroes
The red poppy symbolizes remembrance of soldiers who died in combat, inspired by John McCrae's 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields." More than a century later the poppy still symbolizes Memorial Day and is used to honor our fallen military heroes.
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Fly and tick control in cattle
It’s the time of year when flies and ticks start becoming a problem for cattle, and they can be more than just a nuisance. “These external parasites not only cause irritation and stress but also reduce production efficiency and serve as vectors for certain cattle diseases,” said Craig Payne, University of Missouri director of veterinary extension.
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Women in Livestock: Smarter marketing with AI
University of Missouri Extension’s Pearls of Production program is hosting a webinar series for women livestock producers across the state. The next session, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, will include a hands-on demo and practical discussion on using artificial intelligence tools to build content calendars, write marketing copy and create images.
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Expert comment: Potential cuts to federal food assistance, nutrition education
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee recently approved a proposal that would make it harder to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reduce benefits and make other changes. Jo Britt-Rankin, director of MU Extension SNAP-Ed, is available for interviews about SNAP, SNAP-Ed and how the proposed changes could affect Missourians.
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Updates on crop diseases at MU Crop & Pest Management Field Day
University of Missouri Extension state specialists will cover a variety of topics July 10 at the annual Crop and Pest Management Field Day at MU’s Bradford Research Farm in Columbia. MU Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish will address tar spot and red crown rot, two diseases that threaten Missouri corn and soybean yields.
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Butterfly Festival is June 21 at MU Jefferson Farm and Garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrate the beauty of butterflies at the eighth annual Butterfly Festival at the University of Missouri Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia. The free event on Saturday, June 21, brings together nature lovers, families and butterfly enthusiasts for a day of education, exploration and hands-on activities, said Debi Kelly, state coordinator of the MU Extension Master Gardener Program.
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Free local produce for low-income seniors
Lower-income older adults in Missouri may now enroll in the 2025 Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and enjoy fresh local produce at no cost.
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Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference is Aug. 13-14 in St. Louis
The Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference is set for Aug. 13-14 in St. Louis. Speakers from across the globe will tackle a variety of pertinent topics, said event organizer Tim Safranski, a University of Missouri Extension state swine breeding specialist.
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Child care gaps cost Missouri $1.15 billion per year, research finds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new report from University of Missouri Extension reveals a staggering economic toll of Missouri’s child care crisis: an estimated $1.15 billion lost each year due to access challenges.
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Iris, goddess of rainbows, splashes color over spring gardens
COLUMBIA, Mo. – According to Greek mythology, a golden-winged goddess named Iris traveled on a rainbow to bring messages from gods to mortals. Legend has it that colorful flowers sprung up at the end of the rainbow wherever she stepped.
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Jefferson Farm & Garden provides bedding plants to nonprofits statewide
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia has raised about 5,000 spring bedding plants so far this year and supplied them to hundreds of gardens throughout the state.
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Make hay in May for best quality, yield
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For yield and quality, May is the best time to harvest cool-season grasses, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann. May is when cool-season grasses transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage. Many grasses such as tall fescue, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass are already flowering in parts of Missouri.
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Crystal Burch honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Crystal Burch with the 2025 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Crystal is recognized for more than 11 years of service and support to 4-H in Vernon County. “We are honored to recognize Crystal Burch for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Vernon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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The peaks and valleys of travel
Traveling to the mountains for vacation this summer? Or is the beach more your style? Either way, let’s explore the peaks and valleys of travel in regard to stress and mental health.
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Protecting your home and buildings from wildfire
COLUMBIA, Mo. – May is a good time for Missouri landowners to take proactive steps in protecting homes, barns and other structures from the threat of wildfire, says Joni Harper, field specialist in natural resources for University of Missouri Extension.
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Use fenceline weaning to improve calf postweaning performance
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Postweaning calf performance is important to cow-calf operators and future calf owners,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Optimum performance is achieved by reducing weaning stress. Davis discusses fenceline weaning as a management strategy to reduce weaning stress, which ultimately reduces sickness and improves calf performance postweaning.
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Report outlines Missouri population growth
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Analysis from University of Missouri Extension has placed Missouri as the 19th-most-populous state in the U.S. as of 2024, with 6.25 million residents.
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Registration open for Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – From June 1 to June 15, 2025, Missouri neighborhoods will once again become outdoor art galleries celebrating local talent, civic pride and neighborly connections. “After a wildly successful debut last year, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is back and bigger than ever,” said David Burton, University of Missouri Extension community development specialist.
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MU forage specialist begins new podcast
State forage agronomy specialist Carson Roberts recently released the “Productive Pastures Podcast,” featuring livestock and forage producers, researchers and others interested in management-intensive grazing, livestock production and forage production.
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Good cattle market led to a strong bull sale in Springfield
“People are enjoying high cattle prices, and the 105th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale was no different,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. A total of 26 bulls sold for an average price of $5,458 per bull.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
University of Missouri Extension has information and resources for individuals, families, caregivers and others.
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10 workplace mental health tips
During Mental Health Awareness Month, two MU Extension specialists offer tips to help lighten the load for others.