Image
Plans for weaned fall-born calves
SEDALIA, Mo. – While spring calving and spring bull sales may dominate the producer’s current thought process, planning for weaned fall calves might slip through the cracks. Two items to pay close attention to for weaned calves is value of gain and cost per pound of gain. Having an idea of these two calculations can provide some guidance on how weaned calves should be managed.
Things to consider when early weaning fall calves
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Markets as well as limited feed resources may lead to early weaning fall calves,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Cattle producers may be limited on feed resources, and early weaning will help reduce cow herd nutrient need. Furthermore, early weaning may help cattle producers prepare to market their fall calves a little earlier than normal because of financial…
Remove open heifers following their first breeding season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Reproductive efficiency is important to the productivity and profitability of your cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. One way to promote optimum cow herd reproductive efficiency is to cull open heifers following their first breeding season. Davis will discuss why culling these heifers improves reproductive efficiency, resource utilization and operation…
Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Feb. 26 to March 3
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. – National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) — from Monday, Feb. 26 to Sunday, March 3, 2024 — seeks to educate, raise awareness about and bring hope to people with eating disorders and disordered eating.
Image
MU livestock specialists on new MDA exhibition rules
New exhibition rules issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture late last year for showing cattle and swine at county fairs and exhibitions go into effect this year. University of Missouri Extension specialists say the changes encourage healthy animals.
Image
Maximize your pond's potential
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Managing a pond or lake for sport fishing takes time, resources and a year-round commitment. Timing is crucial for many pond and lake management practices. The approaching spring is an ideal time in Missouri to evaluate and determine if ponds need to be stocked or restocked, said Robert Pierce, associate extension professor in fisheries and wildlife at the University of Missouri.
Image
Higgins selected as leader for MU Extension
University of Missouri President Mun Choi announced Feb. 22 that Chad Higgins has been named chief engagement officer for the UM System and vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU, effective March 1, 2024. Higgins has been serving as interim in this capacity since January 2023. Higgins’ appointment comes following a national search.
Image
MU Master Gardeners 'Dreams' team grows love of gardening, education
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City and Master Naturalists use gardening to teach students to grow healthy food and dream big. The Extension Master Gardener group, called Urban Green Dreams, works with Kansas City youths using Eating From the Garden, a research-based MU Extension program for fourth and fifth grade students.
Image
2024 4-H State Meats Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Feb. 17 drew 54 competing 4-H members from across the state. Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the event gave contestants the opportunity to hone their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities, said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Junior division (ages 8-13)
Image
Feeling hopeful about the future: 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development results
Missouri 4-H is part of a recent national Replication and Reconnection Study documenting the benefits of 4-H programming. MU Extension 4-H youth development specialist Tanner Adkins and Christal Huber, former 4-H youth development specialist and now senior programing coordinator at Mizzou, led the Missouri study, surveying youths three times over an extended period.
Image
Successful fish farming in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Successful fish farming in Missouri depends on identifying and serving market niches, according to an updated guide from University of Missouri Extension. “There are a lot of successful aquaculture businesses in Missouri,” said Ryan Milhollin, MU Extension agribusiness management specialist. “Each business has found its market niche.”
Image
MU pesticide safety program vital to state's ag economy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sam Polly, coordinator of University of Missouri Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program, wants to make Missouri a safer place that allows Missouri’s agricultural economy to continue to grow. Polly says the program is the backbone of agricultural and commercial pest management in Missouri. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries contribute $369 million annually to the state’s economy.
Image
Don't trash the ashes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The phrase “waste not, want not” goes back to a time when the essentials of life were difficult to obtain, but it continues to be good advice today, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. It applies even to ashes produced this time of the year by wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. “When collected and spread on the garden, wood ashes are an excellent and free source of calcium and other…
Image
Missouri faces a child care crisis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri is in a child care crisis. Like broadband, child care is at the heart of so much that affects a family’s livelihood and opportunities. Just as MU Extension has worked to improve statewide broadband access, we’re addressing Missouri’s child care crisis, too.
Image
New year, new job? Here's how to stand out with your search
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s a worker’s market, with 10 openings for every six unemployed workers in Missouri. But there are important caveats to keep in mind for a successful search in 2024, said Rob Russell, University of Missouri Extension senior program director for business and community development.
Image
With key caveats, it's a job hunter's market for years to come
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s still a job hunter’s market out there, but landing the right position may be harder than it looks in 2024, according to University of Missouri researchers. An aging population and slow-growing labor force give workers the advantage as they seek jobs. There are currently 10 job openings in Missouri for every six unemployed workers, said Alan Spell, assistant extension professor of community and regional economics…
Image
Show Me Food helps you find fresh, local food
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Across Missouri, one in nine people – including one in eight children – face hunger. Using data available on All Things Missouri, we can clearly see overlapping areas of high food insecurity and food deserts (figure 1) in the state.
Image
Tuesday Tip videos bring gardening tips alive
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Dedicated volunteers from Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City create the Tuesday Tip series of short videos designed to educate and entertain those interested in gardening.
Image
Give Valentine's Day flowers some TLC for extended enjoyment
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valentine’s Day flowers will last longer if kept watered and fed, said University of Missouri horticulturist David Trinklein. Trinklein’s tips and homemade preservative recipe provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice their normal lifespan.
Image
10 tips to keep the romance in relationships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you had to name the most important thing in your life, what would it be? Chances are it would be a relationship: with your significant other, children, parents, some other family member or good friends. Relationships are not just important in the “feel good” sense. They also have a strong impact on our mental and physical health, says Kale Monk, a University of Missouri associate professor and state extension youth…
Image
Reducing hay waste when supplies are low
After two years of droughts in Missouri, hay supplies are low, with many producers feeding hay during the summer months and lacking the pasture growth to get the tonnage comparable to previous year’s hay crops. Many producers in southern Missouri reported 50%-75% reductions in first-cutting hay crops in 2023. With such a low availability of hay in the state and high input costs, the price of hay has increased, which adds insult to…
Image
Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognizes winners
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors honored its 2023 winners in a special ceremony Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, said Gloria Johnson, executive secretary for the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors.
Image
What to do if you're short on hay this winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The recent cold snap increased hay needs for beef cows and is putting the squeeze on tight hay inventory. And without a wet winter to overcome soil moisture deficits, it is possible that grass growth rate will be delayed/slowed this spring.
Image
Students discover STEM, ag careers at day camp hosted by Missouri 4-H and Bayer
CREVE COEUR, Mo – In November 2023, almost three dozen students in grades 6-8 and their teachers from Marian Middle School in St. Louis joined Missouri 4-H and Bayer professionals for a day camp focused on STEM and agriculture careers.
Image
Billions of cicadas bring buzzy magic to Missouri in 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Billions of cicadas will buzz this spring as two broods emerge at the same time. These broods last emerged together in 1803 and won’t appear together again for 221 years. That means that your grandchildren’s great-great-great grandchildren likely will be the next group to experience the dual emergence of these cicada broods that appear in 13- and 17-year life cycles, says University of Missouri Extension specialist…