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June 5 bus tour to visit KC-area farms growing produce in high tunnels
Join a June 5 bus tour of KC-area farms to explore high tunnels, produce growing, and food safety practices.
Active aging — Stay strong and stay healthy
When people talk about being physically active, many think of aerobic activities, but it is also about being strong. Getting the heart and lungs working to full capacity has great health benefits. Walking is perhaps the most common form of this type of exercise. When the weather permits, the walkers abound. But as a person ages, fear of falling may prevent him/her from getting out and moving.
Cold, dry conditions delay planting and forage growth
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomists voiced concern during a teleconference that cool, dry conditions are causing delayed planting and slow forage growth statewide.
Sports nutrition for better performance
You train hard, learn about the latest techniques and make sure your equipment is top-notch. You work hard to be good at your sport. But have you fueled your body for the demands you place on it?
Show-Me-Select heifers average $1,555 in first spring sale at Farmington
Show-Me-Select heifers averaged $1,555 in Farmington’s first spring sale, offering calving-ease and quality genetics to buyers.
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Uncommon mite shows up in SW Missouri wheat fields
Winter grain mites, an unusual pest, have appeared in southwestern Missouri wheat fields, potentially affecting crop health.
New physical activity recommendations
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have released their 2007 recommendations for physical activity. These guidelines have been revised since the last update in 1995. Their goal is to help people live more active and healthy lives.
First MU Master Pollinator Steward classes begin in May
Learn to support pollinators through hands-on classes covering bees, butterflies, habitat, and conservation starting in May.
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Rural youth learn homegrown leadership through MU Extension 4-H program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Young rural Missourians between the ages of 11-18 are starting after-school programs, constructing community gardens, leading community drives to combat poverty and addressing hunger in their schools, all as part of a University of Missouri Extension 4-H program designed to grow new leaders in towns with fewer than 10,000 people.
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Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inducts George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was honored for pioneering agricultural education and soybean innovation at the Missouri Soybean Center Hall of Fame.
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Missouri’s Master Naturalists aid conservation, education
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Across the state, volunteer master naturalists are monitoring water quality in streams, performing wildlife inventories, helping with prairie-restoration efforts and facilitating activities and educational programs at wildlife refuges, parks and conservation areas.
Using poultry litter in tall fescue seed production
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Farmers have long used poultry litter as a source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A ton of poultry litter contains roughly 55 pounds of nitrogen, 55 pounds of phosphate and 45 pounds of potash. Buying these nutrients in commercial form would cost about $75 at today’s prices.
Protect your vision with a healthy diet
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people over the age of 75 had a 30 percent risk of AMD. But studies also show that eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower your risk of AMD, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
MU tackles food defense
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and MU Extension are teaching farmers, meat and poultry processors, agriculture students, food service professionals and others how to defend against intentional food contamination.“There are many vulnerable access points within the farm-to-table food chain,” said Bob Weaber, MU Extension beef specialist.
Prepare for grass tetany season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist counsels farmers to prepare for grass tetany season in March.Grass tetany can result from a magnesium deficiency in spring calving herds consuming lush forages high in potassium and low in calcium and sodium, said Justin Sexten of the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.
Worm composting reduces household wastes
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you’re intimidated by the idea of building and maintaining a backyard compost pile, an indoor alternative is to feed your fruit and vegetable scraps to worms.
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Jump-start your garden by planting seeds indoors
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you are planning a large vegetable garden this year, growing your own transplants offers advantages over direct seeding. Germinating seeds in a greenhouse, hotbed or your home can reduce transplant mortality and improve seedling vigor, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Start your shears: it’s pruning time
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners should make a pruning tour of their landscape now to touch up trees and shrubs, especially those planted in the past two years, said a University of Missouri horticulturist. “There are several advantages to spring pruning,” said Chris Starbuck. “With no leaves, you can see what you are doing.” With rising temperatures, cold snaps are unlikely to damage new growth. Pruning cuts heal quickly.
Eager gardeners should be wary of last spring frost
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Gardeners eager to plant their first annuals and vegetables should be wary of a last spring frost.“I tell people, if you plant early, plant only what you don’t mind losing,” said Mary Kroening, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.Garden centers often urge early planting to help sales, but gardeners should be patient, she said.
Helping children cope with a parent's job loss
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – A change in financial status due to the loss of a job is a difficult crisis for families to experience. How parents handle the situation can influence their children, so it is important to communicate with them in an age-appropriate way, said a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
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Helping new businesses plan for success
JOPLIN, Mo. – Starting a business can be challenging even during a robust economy, yet opportunities still exist in today’s tough economic climate. However, it’s crucial for would-be entrepreneurs to do their homework before taking out a loan or cashing in retirement savings, said a University of Missouri Extension business development specialist.
Deeper isn’t always better when transplanting trees
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You don’t have to break your back when transplanting a tree, said a University of Missouri horticulturist. Research on tree root growth after transplanting suggests that you do not have to dig a deep hole, said Chris Starbuck. “In most soils, 90 percent of the actively absorbing root tips are within 12 inches of the soil surface, so it’s important to create a soil environment surrounding a new tree in which roots can…
Help your child get a good night’s sleep
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. “That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits,” said a University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
Puny particles pack punch against harmful microbes in food
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Findings by University of Missouri scientists indicate that zinc oxide nanoparticles could be a weapon against harmful molds and bacteria in food.“These results suggest that zinc oxide nanoparticles could potentially be used as an effective post-harvest antimicrobial agent in agricultural and food-safety applications,” said Mengshi Lin, assistant professor of food science.
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Living pots
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Want to make your garden or flower bed even more green this year? Forgo those plastic planting pots and go biodegradable.Starting this growing season, the teaching greenhouses and in-house florist shop at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will use 100-percent biodegradable pots to grow plants such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, melons and herbs.