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4-H youths travel to Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado for equine careers tour
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Forty youths from across Missouri traveled to Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado to learn more about equine careers May 20-26 on the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Equine Tour, said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.
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Managing heat stress in sheep and goats
OSCEOLA, Mo. – As the summer months set in, sheep and goat producers should watch their animals for heat stress, says David Brown, University of Missouri small ruminant specialist. Although sheep and goats can tolerate heat better than other livestock species, long-term exposure might have devastating effects on the health and performance of the animals.
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Farm business operators can tackle labor crunch with seasonal workers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As summer arrives in the Show-Me State, farm business operators often experience periods of fluctuating labor needs. Seasonal workers, including young people, can offer extra capacity during critical times.
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Clover Classic raises more than $92,000 for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 14th annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament, June 4, raised more than $92,000, setting a new record in the Missouri 4-H Foundation’s history. The tournament, at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, drew participants and supporters from across the state. Co-presenting sponsors were Climate Field View and Great American Insurance-Crop Division.
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Missouri Master Naturalists celebrate program's 20th anniversary
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri Master Naturalists recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the program during a state conference in Columbia hosted by the Boone’s Lick Master Naturalist chapter.
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Heatstroke can kill quickly in hot cars
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When the news has another tragic story about a child accidentally left in a hot car, parents might believe they could never make a mistake like that. “It’s not just negligent parents or indifferent caregivers. When juggling the demands of work, parenting and daily life, it’s easier than you might think to make a simple but fatal mistake,” says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety…
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Strip trials an effective way to test nitrogen rates on cornfields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – On-farm strip trials are an effective way for farmers to test their nitrogen fertilizer rate on corn. “A wet May has lots of farmers wondering about the nitrogen status of their corn crop,” said John Lory, University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist. “Wet conditions and warm soils can lead to nitrogen loss of fertilizer.”
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Youths compete at 2024 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo – The 2024 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest was held Monday, June 3, at the University of Missouri Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The contest brought together 94 youths from across the state to apply their evaluation and communication skills. Youths involved with the livestock judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success, said Maria Calvert, MU…
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Youths compete at 2024 State 4-H Poultry Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty 4-H youths from across Missouri participated in the 2024 State 4-H Poultry Day on June 8 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center in Columbia. Competitions included a poultry judging contest, quiz bowl, egg demonstration contest, photo contest and dozen egg contest.
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Lingering effects of recent cicada emergence
The cicada symphony may be coming to an end, but the effects of the performers are becoming apparent. Calls and emails are beginning to come into University of Missouri Extension offices from homeowners reporting the ends of many tree branches are turning brown and dropping off. “In the past few days I have answered more than a dozen inquiries related to cicada damage,” said Hank Stelzer, MU Extension’s forestry state specialist.
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Marketing matters in direct-to-consumer beef sales
FORSYTH, Mo. – Selling beef directly from the farm to consumers gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Though adoption has slowed, selling direct to consumers remains a popular option for Missouri beef producers as an alternative to selling live animals, as it allows the producer to capture additional value otherwise obtained by others in the food processing chain,” said Jacob Hefley, University of Missouri…
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Early June peas
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No other vegetable is as closely associated with a month of the year as is garden pea, and few things match the gastronomic appeal of fresh peas from the garden. The term “early June peas” often appears on labels to indicate they are young and still have a high sugar content, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Peas are sweetest when they mature in cool weather, before too much of the…
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Honoring the nation's dairy farmers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – June is National Dairy Month, when we honor the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers. This cornerstone of American agriculture contributes to the economy and to the health and well-being of communities. University of Missouri Extension offers resources, expertise and research tailored for dairy producers and consumers, connecting dairy products to key production and business information. Putting dairy in your diet
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Filling the summer forage gap
LINNEUS, Mo. – Gaps in summer forages for livestock producers can be challenging. University of Missouri Extension agronomy field specialist Valerie Tate in Linn County shares management solutions, including planting warm-season annual forages such as pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass, to fill a void in summer forage production or when renovating forage stands.
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Spring SW Missouri bull breeding soundness exam day results
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bull breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are important to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The exam evaluates bull physical and reproductive soundness. Using bulls that fail this exam can lead to poor conception, pregnancy, calving and weaning rates, which results in poor operation productivity and profitability,…
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New guide details Show-Me-Select enhanced option
COLUMBIA, Mo. – An additional marketing opportunity for cattle producers is outlined in a new University of Missouri Extension guide, “Adding Value to Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers Using Show-Me-Plus,” available at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2094.
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MU Extension releases soybean yield tool
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool developed by University of Missouri Extension’s state soybean specialist, Andre Froes de Borja Reis, can indicate soybean growth and anticipate yield deviations before the end of the season. “This tool is designed to predict soybean development and yield based on crop growth models,” Reis said. “It simulates soybean growth in various regions of Missouri, using both historical and current weather data.”
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Records set at SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Record prices were seen at the southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards on May 17,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
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Management strategies to reduce pink eye in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Warm weather brings on environmental factors that can lead to pink eye in cattle,” says Patrick Davis University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Pink eye can lead to reduced cattle performance, which affects profitability.
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MDC, MU Extension thank Master Naturalists for 2023 accomplishments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension thank the Missouri Master Naturalists for volunteering thousands of hours to conserving Missouri’s natural resources in 2023.
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Digital Ambassadors: Connecting Missourians through trusted partners
When Lisa Robinson’s mother was in hospice care, an online consultation with a trusted doctor brought a quick diagnosis, a prescription to clear up an infection — and peace of mind. That experience prompted Robinson, a University of Missouri Extension field specialist, to volunteer to lead a Digital Ambassador pilot project in Newton County.
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AI for leadership
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Businesses that do not consider using AI will fall behind those that do. Businesses without an AI approach will become less and less competitive.” This was the message from Chi-Ren Shyu, director of the University of Missouri MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics.
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Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $95,000 in scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding 70 scholarships totaling $95,000 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their educations. “We are thrilled to support these exceptional young people as they continue their educational journeys,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Their dedication to 4-H and their communities is inspiring, and we are confident they will continue to achieve great things…
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Recommendations for thrips management in the Missouri Bootheel
2024 has not been an ideal year for thrips management due to the consistent overcast during the daytime hours. This restricts thrips movement, and in hand can increase injury. Hot and sunny conditions are ideal not because thrips are more active, but because cotton and growth development occur more rapidly. We highlight some management options for thrips control in 2024.
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Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
News releases, videos, publications and more. Publications In-depth information is available from these MU Extension publications, which are available for free download. (To access publications, use the links below or go extension.missouri.edu/publications/ and search by publication number.)