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Conditions right for tar spot in Missouri corn crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Frequent rain and unseasonably cool weather this May are creating favorable conditions for tar spot to develop in Missouri cornfields in June. “We’ve detected tar spot in June in each of the last three years, and I anticipate the same for 2026,” says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish.
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How extreme precipitation can affect crop health, yields
NOVELTY, Mo. – Waterlogging and flooding are among the most damaging weather-related stresses in crop production worldwide, and their impacts are increasing as extreme rainfall becomes more frequent. Flooding ranks second only to drought among abiotic stresses.
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From festivals to workforce training, Jefferson Farm and Garden keeps growing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jefferson Farm and Garden Extension and Education Center already draws crowds for events like the Tomato Festival and Butterfly Festival. Now, with a newly expanded education center, University of Missouri Extension is preparing the Columbia-area farm for a larger role as a year-round hub for classes, workshops and community programs.
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Free online tools help farmers manage costs, forage challenges
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Frequent drought and rising input costs have livestock producers continuing to feel the pressure of finding feed for their herds. University of Missouri Extension specialists encourage farmers and ranchers to use free online tools to improve feed sourcing and budgeting decisions.
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Stink bugs widespread in Missouri soybeans
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Stink bugs are an all-too-familiar foe for Missouri soybean growers, but new University of Missouri research shows just how widespread they are, and how farmers can better time and target their scouting.
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MU Extension recommends treating clothing to repel ticks
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists are urging farmers, gardeners, hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions against ticks by treating clothing with permethrin, a highly effective repellent that both repels and kills ticks.
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Summer wildflowers bring color to roadsides and backyards
For many, the term “wildflower garden” conjures images of a delicate spring native to lightly shaded woodland sites or moist meadows. But there are may summer-blooming wildflowers native to dry, sunny hillsides, glades and other places with more austere growing conditions.
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Importance of good manufacturing practices for food safety
Good manufacturing practices (GMPs) are a key part of ensuring food safety, quality and regulatory compliance in the food industry. They guide food manufacturers in maintaining hygienic conditions, preventing contamination and consistently producing safe food products.
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Loneliness: A hidden health problem in Missouri
Loneliness is affecting the health and well-being of Missourians across all ages and communities. University of Missouri Extension and local partners are working to strengthen social connection through programs, volunteer opportunities and community engagement.
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Poppy: A tribute to fallen heroes
Poppies honor fallen soldiers, symbolizing remembrance and sacrifice each Memorial Day and beyond.
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Key considerations for canning food safely
Canning is an effective way to preserve foods, but it requires care to prevent foodborne illness, particularly botulism.
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Camden County youth workforce pilot program earns national recognition
In just its first year at Camdenton High School, the REACH program has connected hundreds of students with local employers, helped young people better understand career options in their own communities and strengthened ties between schools and the workforce.
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Insights from MU's survey of custom rates for farm services
The cost of hiring fieldwork in Missouri has risen an average of 9% since 2023, according to an update to University of Missouri Extension’s Custom Rates for Farm Services in Missouri.
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Missouri is already paying for its childcare problem
When we think infrastructure, we picture roads and bridges. But childcare is infrastructure too. In Missouri, gaps in care are sidelining workers, hurting businesses and costing the state more than $1 billion a year.
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Preventing summer learning loss through everyday activities
Research dating back to the late 1990s shows that children can lose ground in reading and math over the summer months. But with a little creativity, everyday activities can become meaningful learning moments all summer long.
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Happy Beef Month from your MU Extension dairy specialist
Happy Beef Month. Yes, that message is coming from your University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist. Across Missouri, where cattle operations of all kinds form the backbone of rural communities, the lines between beef and dairy are not separate conversations. They are part of the same cattle industry and, increasingly, the same supply chain.
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Flowering plants are a meaningful Mother’s Day choice
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Giving outdoor flowering plants for Mother’s Day provides a lasting alternative to cut flowers, allowing the gift to bloom for seasons rather than days, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Living gifts such as perennials, shrubs or roses represent a growing relationship, often reflecting the effort and care a mother puts into her family.
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New toolkit helps community gardens take root
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Community gardens are thriving across Missouri by pairing shared land with shared purpose, but long-term success requires more than good intentions.
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Preweaning calf management that leads to postweaning success
STOCKTON, Mo. – “For cattle producers who retain their calves after weaning, calf performance is crucial for a successful operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
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Turning data into disaster readiness
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Geospatial analysis by University of Missouri Extension researchers can help planners and emergency managers better understand how social vulnerability shapes disaster impacts and recovery. By mapping both exposure to disaster impacts and community-reported needs, the research can aid in prioritizing investments in preparedness, mitigation and recovery, says Michael Sunde, an MU Extension natural resources specialist.
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Missouri 4-H youths take the lead at State Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On April 28, more than 500 Missouri 4-H members, staff and volunteers gathered in Jefferson City for 4-H Day at the Capitol, focused on civic engagement, leadership and advocacy.
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Does ‘tabletop silage’ have potential?
Rusty and William Lee are experimenting with ways to use scrapped milo stalks to keep beef producers from turning to low-quality, high-priced hay as a last resort to feed herds during Missouri droughts.
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Strong, steady March bull sale in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, described the 107th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale in Springfield as “a strong, steady sale.”
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When fields stay wet
NOVELTY, Mo. – Heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent across Missouri, leaving producers dealing with saturated soils, ponded fields and flooding even before the 2026 growing season began. Understanding how excess water affects crops—and what steps can help in the short and long term—can protect yield potential and improve field resilience, says University of Missouri Extension state soil science specialist Gurbir Singh.
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Building resilient, profitable farms
CEDAR HILL, Mo. – In the hills outside St. Louis, creeks swell fast after hard rains, and fields can pay the price. At Big River Grain and Cattle, Daniel Bonacker recalls, repeated flooding was carrying away topsoil. In 1983, Bonacker’s grandfather switched to no‑till farming, which minimizes disturbance of the soil. This reduces erosion by improving the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water.