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Keep July 4 cookouts sweet with fresh-picked corn
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Nothing says summer like biting into delectable, juicy sweet corn at a Fourth of July cookout. Whether boiled in a pot or charred over an open grill, savoring freshly picked sweet corn embodies the patriotic spirit of a midsummer celebration before fireworks light up the night sky.
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Corn leafhopper detected in Boone County
MU Extension offers scouting, identification and management options.
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When the heat is on, these shrubs deliver
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Midwesterners are all too familiar with scorching summers. While midsummer doesn’t offer the vivid floral displays of spring shrubs, great options are available, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Gardeners willing to embrace a more subtle look can choose from several tough, drought-tolerant shrubs that continue to bloom beautifully despite the heat.
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Three-day school provides tools to make your grazing operation successful
MU Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Missouri State University will host a Management Intensive Grazing School, Sept. 8-10. The school will cover livestock and forage management for all grazing species, with special focus on cattle and sheep.
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Rainfall, fertilizer costs complicate corn nitrogen decisions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – High fertilizer prices and heavy rainfall in many parts of Missouri are complicating nitrogen management in corn. Growers should evaluate the return on investment before applying rescue nitrogen, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory.
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MU Extension, MDC continue to offer free testing for oak diseases
MU Extension’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, offers free testing for common oak tree diseases.
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Clover Classic tees up success for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The16th Annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament, June 2 at the Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, raised more than $80,000 to support Missouri 4-H youth programs across the state.
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Stay cool at the fair
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Long walks, crowded midway lines and hours spent outdoors can turn a summer fair into a risky place during high heat. University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch says a little planning can help fairgoers stay safe and enjoy the day. “It’s not cool to be hot,” Funkenbusch says. “Water, rest and shade are key.”
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Missouri 4-H youths explore careers during Kentucky equine tour
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thirty-six Missouri 4-H youths got a firsthand look at careers in the equine industry during a tour across Kentucky, May 18–24. The tour featured hands-on learning, visits to leading farms and race tracks and conversations with industry professionals.
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Lines cast, skills sharpened at Missouri 4-H State Sportfishing Day
MILLERSBURG, Mo. — Missouri 4-H members from across the state gathered June 13 at Little Dixie Lake in Millersburg for the Missouri 4-H State Sportfishing Day. More than 20 participants from 14 counties took part in a day filled with fishing, learning, competition and conservation.
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Kevin Everett appointed to lead MU Extension Health and Human Sciences unit
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Kevin Everett has been appointed as the new senior director of University of Missouri Extension’s Health and Human Sciences unit, effective July 1.
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Daylily: Big color without the fuss
Daylilies combine stunning, long-lasting floral displays with rugged resilience, so it’s little wonder daylily is America’s most popular flowering perennial.
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Maximize your margin by minimizing fixed machinery costs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Major equipment purchases involve more ongoing costs than many realize. Whether you’re making a cash purchase or opting for financing, the ownership costs of machinery continue after the check is cashed or the final payment is made.
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Bear sightings in Columbia highlight growing population
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent black bear sightings in Columbia, including a late-night appearance in a gym parking lot, are a reminder that Missouri’s black bear population is growing. Missouri’s black bear population has climbed to around 1,000 animals and continues to expand beyond its core range in the Ozarks.
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Strong yields in early SE Missouri wheat trials
Early results from University of Missouri seed variety testing trials are showing higher-than-average wheat yields in southeastern Missouri. Two of the three southeastern Missouri trial locations averaged more than 100 bushels per acre.
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An on-ramp for Missouri’s construction workforce
By connecting Missourians to opportunity and employers to talent, the no-cost initiative is helping build not just roads and bridges, but the future of the state’s workforce.
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New MU soybean growth and yield report available
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Soybean Growth Monitoring biweekly report for 2026 is now available. The report, in its third year of publication, provides soybean farmers information on the progress of the Missouri soybean crop every two weeks.
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Missouri 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2026 Missouri 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest on Saturday, June 6, at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The event brought 92 youths from across the state to demonstrate their skills in evaluating livestock.
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Vines that shine: Screening views while adding beauty
Ornamental vining plants often are overlooked as a way to screen unpleasant views while adding beauty to a landscape, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Missouri 4-H Foundation awards 95 scholarships totaling $127,000
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation will award 95 scholarships totaling $127,000 to Missouri 4-H members to help further their education and prepare them for the future. The 2026 scholarship recipients have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community service, and academic achievement, said Rachel Augustine, senior director of advancement for University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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Poison hemlock: beautiful and deadly
BOONVILLE, Mo. – White flowers in Missouri pastures, fencerows and along roadsides in June look benign. However, they are anything but, says Todd Lorenz, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Poison hemlock is a prolific, highly toxic biennial weed that poses serious threats to people and livestock. Each plant produces up to 38,000 seeds, guaranteeing its spread, especially in no-till crop fields.
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Pasture thistles can reduce profitability, productivity
BOONVILLE, Mo. – The spiny growth of thistles can shade out desirable pasture grasses and clover, reducing both profitability and productivity of pastureland. Many Missouri fields now have large populations of musk and bull thistles, says Todd Lorenz, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
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100 Miles, 100 Days challenge begins June 16
COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension invites Missourians to get moving this summer through the statewide 100 Miles, 100 Days challenge, a free program that encourages participants to stay active.
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New World screwworm: What you need to know
A New World screwworm detection in Texas has triggered a coordinated U.S. response. MU Extension’s Craig Payne, DVM, explains risks to livestock, what to watch for, and why early detection and reporting are critical to limiting spread.
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Yucca: Overlooked star of early summer
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Those towering flower stalks covered with white, bell-shaped blossoms that appear in early June belong to yucca, a plant with a somewhat unfortunate name. Yuccas are resilient and striking additions to water-wise landscapes, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Beyond their tough exterior, they provide year-round evergreen texture and an abundance of flowers each spring that support local…