Improving habitats for ring-necked pheasants in Missouri
Missouri landowners can take practical steps to improve habitat for ring-necked pheasants, whose populations have declined across the Midwest due to habitat loss and changing land use. A new publication outlines science-based strategies to support pheasant populations.
MU Extension and partners develop appraisal guide for wild turkey habitat
Landowners interested in improving habitats for wild turkeys on their property have a new tool: University of Missouri Extension, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, has developed a publication featuring habitat evaluation tools landowners can use to rate conditions on their property and then begin to address any limiting factors to enhance habitats for wild turkeys.
Now is time to enjoy wildlife and plan to improve habitat
Spring is ideal for observing wildlife and planning habitat improvements to support local species in your area.
Coexist with wildlife while preventing damage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few things are more enjoyable than watching deer in your backyard or listening to squirrels chatter at dusk or dawn from your patio. That is, until you find that they have inflicted costly damage to your home, patio furniture, flower bed or garden. In some cases, such as bird droppings, wildlife can even be hazardous to your health.
MU Extension offers Wednesday town hall meetings online for farmers, gardeners
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering online town hall meetings led by agronomy, livestock and horticulture specialists.“MU Extension has long served as a trusted and necessary resource to help Missourians get food on the table and gardens in the backyard,” says Lee Miller, coordinator of MU’s Integrated Pest Management program. “We’ll strive to continue this even through COVID-19.”
Wildlife population trends
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Farmer participation in conservation programs
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Field borders benefit wildlife on the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Weedy field borders and brushy fence lines may not be attractive to some people, but for many Missouri farm wildlife and game species, those places are prime real estate.
You've got quail
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “If you get up in the morning and you hear quail singing and it doesn’t make your heart lift, you missed out on a big part of what life really is,” says farmer George Hobson. Modern farming techniques have erased much of the habitat of the once-abundant northern bobwhite quail, but on Hobson’s farm and others like it, the quail population is going up—without dragging profits down.