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Sign up now for 2025 crop pest alerts
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Pest Monitoring Network offers free, timely pest alerts to farmers and gardeners, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. Early detection allows farmers to take quick action before infestations become severe. By scouting and monitoring their fields, farmers can make management decisions to prevent yield loss and reduce pesticide use.
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Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors names winners
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors honored its 2024 winners in a special ceremony on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at the University of Missouri.
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Gardening can protect monarch butterflies
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – With spring around the corner, University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Kelly McGowan urges gardeners to consider how they can help monarch butterflies.
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Youths compete in 4-H State Meats Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Saturday, Feb. 15, drew 60 competing 4-H members from across the state. contestants were able to develop and hone their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities, said Kelsey Fuller, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Missouri 4-H holds the contest in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program.
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Weighing the value of eggs amid high prices
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The high price of eggs and egg shortages in some places have led some consumers to seek out other sources of protein.
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Timing, flexibility key to grazing tall fescue spring flush
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Proper management of the spring flush of tall fescue gives pastures and cattle a head start for the rest of the grazing season, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann.
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Avoid financial heartbreak after drought
POTOSI, Mo. – Missouri is coming off consecutive years of severe droughts and depleted cool-season pastures. As drought lingers, so do old practices that worsen its impact, says Rachel Hopkins, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist. She likens it to an oft-quoted definition of insanity – “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” – to the mindset of some long-term fescue growers.
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MU Extension publishes vaccination overview for cow-calf operations
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has a new publication about vaccination programs for cow-calf operations. The publication covers viruses and bacteria of concern, describes the difference between killed and modified live viral vaccines and provides a vaccine schedule example.
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Plant now for seeds of success
Plant seeds indoors now for a head start on a successful garden. Follow simple steps to grow healthy plants and enjoy a vibrant harvest.
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Missouri 4-H'ers compete in FCS National Championship
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two Missouri 4-H’ers competed in January at the 2025 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship. Representing Missouri 4-H was Rebecca McDade of Clay County and Hayley Frevert of Cooper County. While in San Antonio, Texas, McDade competed in Fashion Revue in the Purchased Category. Frevert competed with an Educational Presentation and in Fashion Revue in the Constructed Category.
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Mitigating pregnancy loss in cow herds
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – With spring calving season underway, producers want as many healthy calves on the ground as possible. “A lot of folks see pregnancy loss within their herd and think of it in two ways: either a cow aborting a calf during gestation, or losing the calf after it is already made it on the ground,” said Chloe Collins, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist. But multiple factors go into pregnancy loss, both…
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The skinny on what your hay bales really weigh
Hay bale weight varies with moisture and density. Learn how to estimate actual weight for better feeding and management decisions.
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Overcome poor soil, lack of space with straw bale gardening
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Straw bale gardens are becoming popular with growers plagued with poor soil or limited garden space, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Straw bale gardening combines container gardening and raised-bed gardening into one green-thumb package.
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2025 is the Year of the Pea
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners looking for hap-pea-ness can look no further than the pea. The National Garden Bureau has declared 2025 the Year of the Pea. Few vegetables match the culinary delight of peas fresh from the garden, said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “You might say it is a VIPea in the spring garden,” said Trinklein. When given an early start, growing peas is easy peasy.
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Winter weather resources from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – MU Extension has resources to help you prepare for and respond to severe winter weather. Extended cold weather can freeze water in household plumbing. This can not only make your faucets run dry, it can result in burst pipes. Learn how to prevent or safely thaw frozen pipes.
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Turn milk jugs into mini-greenhouses
JACKSON, Mo. – One of your best gardening tools may be in your recycling bin, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg. Use specially prepared milk jugs to jump-start your garden by winter sowing, a method of starting seeds in late winter for spring transplanting.
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Recovery Friendly Workplace-Missouri has new community resources
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Addiction costs Missouri $1.4 million per hour, but a recovery-friendly workplace can increase profits for businesses and foster an employee-focused culture. Enhancements to the Recovery Friendly Workplace-Missouri website provide new resources to help you learn more and do more in your community.
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Better numbers, better farm
WARSAW, Mo. – Handling farm finances wisely means knowing some key numbers that indicate the health of your operation.
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MU Extension offers beef feeding financial tool
Free Excel tool lets cattle producers track input costs, calculate break-even price and ROI, and manage feeding profitability.
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Are insects the future of food?
Insects are a sustainable, nutritious food source gaining attention. Learn about their benefits, the role they could play in the future of food, and more.
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Experts urge biosecurity in poultry flocks
Missouri urges poultry producers to enhance biosecurity to combat HPAI; public health risk remains low.
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This Valentine's Day, be a love bug
Show Missouri insects some love this Valentine's Day by supporting pollinators and reducing pesticide use.
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Candy is dandy, except for pets
Alerts pet owners: chocolate and candies with raisins, nuts, xylitol, or excess sugar can trigger vomiting, seizures, and liver harm in pets.
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Master Naturalists study rare bats in NE Missouri
INDIAN CREEK, Mo. – Members of the Mississippi Hills Missouri Master Naturalist chapter, located in the Hannibal area, are excited about a growing population of an endangered bat species that inhabits two locations in northeastern Missouri.
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Master Naturalists: Improving Missouri's environment for 20 years
HANNIBAL, Mo. – For the past 20 years, Master Naturalists have conducted educational projects and volunteer community service to improve Missouri’s environment. Master Naturalists are drawn to everything in nature from birds and bats to bees and trees.