Crops : article
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There is a simple, inexpensive way to reduce errors in herbicide applications and limit off-target chemical drift, says a University of Missouri Extension weed management specialist.Kevin Bradley supports the “Flag the Technology” program by the University of Arkansas Cooperative…
Working with Ukrainian educators and farmers to restore contaminated farmland through soil testing, reclamation techniques, and remote training.
High equipment costs, time constraints, and soil degradation make hay production less profitable. Explore alternatives like grazing and stockpiling forage.
Boost beef farm resilience with expert tips on grazing, hay storage, herd health, and financial strategies to thrive through cycles and drought.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Wayne Flanary says 2025 likely will be a year when corn producers need to batten down the hatches to offset low sale prices and high input costs.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite suspending all face-to-face programming due to COVID-19, University of Missouri Extension recognizes the continued need to provide university research and knowledge to help farmers and consumers alike.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ways to replace toxic tall fescue pastures keep improving as renovations move across the Fescue Belt from Missouri to Georgia.
Five grazing schools in five states in March will clarify a complex system, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Alfalfa fields fading from green to yellow may mean too much water. Farmers see the change after record-setting rains.Waterlogged soil kills nitrogen-fixing bacteria on roots, says Craig Roberts. The University of Missouri Extension specialist alerted area specialists of the…
Farmers may save on fertilizer in 2025 by reducing phosphorus, potassium, or lime on medium- to high-testing soils without lowering yields.
COLUMBIA, Mo.–Atrazine, presently used on more than 85 percent of the corn acres in Missouri, is considered one of the most effective and least costly herbicides in use. University of Missouri Extension is helping farmers and communities manage atrazine runoff so the herbicide remains available.
Northern‐central Missouri fields face high nitrogen loss risk when applying anhydrous ammonia in fall; soil temps need to drop below 40°F.
Learn strategies to reduce financial loss after drought by adjusting pasture management and considering native warm-season grasses.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More farmers are looking at a practice long frowned upon: planting back-to-back soybean.Don’t do it, says University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold. Expect lower yields and higher erosion if you don’t rotate soybean with corn. Risk of disease, insects and…
SEDALIA, Mo.—Many Missouri producers are asking if it is safe to use soybeans for livestock forage. The topic was brought up repeatedly by attendees at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
Farmers faced challenges during the 2023 drought as soybean diseases like sudden death syndrome, red crown rot, and charcoal rot exhibited similar symptoms.
Soybean farmers in Missouri should scout for stink bugs in 2025 to prevent yield losses and maintain seed quality.
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Bioenergy crops can be a good match for areas of fields that have lost productivity.
Brazilian farmers and crop consultants toured Missouri soybean fields, research farms, and labs to exchange knowledge on crop production.
Researchers test heat treatment to combat citrus greening, aiming to save trees and support global citrus production.
Farmers consider corn silage for winter: higher in digestible nutrients than hay, but costlier and spoilage-prone unless stored and hauled carefully.
ST. JAMES, Mo. – Cattle producers are invited to attend a field day at the Mingo Farm in St. James to learn how to use natural shade to improve their beef operation.
Explore strategies to optimize soybean planting, from timing to variety and maturity group, for higher yield potential.
Consult your insurance agent before cutting or grazing crops to protect coverage and avoid losing potential claims.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Wheat flooded before harvest brings questions from affected farmers. What do they do now?University of Missouri Extension field crops specialists said, “Wait and see.” During a weekly teleconference, field staff answered questions from farmers.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It may be too early to think about replanting corn yet, but it’s a good time to look at guides from University of Missouri Extension or seed dealers, said MU Extension agronomy specialist Bill Wiebold.
Cold snaps can trigger fescue foot in cattle grazing toxic fescue, leading to lameness and hoof loss. Early detection helps prevent losses.
Unseasonably cold April weather in Missouri has delayed corn planting, stressed wheat fields, and strained pasture and hay supplies for farmers.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Nutrient loads can cause problems with water quality. That’s why the Missouri Nutrient Reduction Strategy Committee is working to decrease the amount of nutrients that end up in the Mississippi River.
Wheat in southeast Missouri is near or at flowering, which suggest that wheat in many other regions of the state is roughly 1 to 2 weeks away. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) (Figure 1) is a disease that can cause yield loss, reduced test weights, and reduced seed quality in wheat.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cool-season grasses such as fescue that dominate pasture grass in Missouri need warm weather to grow.
Two acres of popcorn are planted annually in Albany. Colorful varieties are grown for fundraisers, local events and shared community-filled popcorn outreach.
A significant reduction in corn production could push farm prices to $4.15 per bushel and Chicago Board of Trade prices near $4.50 per bushel.
Use a free online tool to select cover crops for fall and winter grazing based on soil, rotation, and farm goals.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers who rely on surface-applied nitrogen may have difficulty if they apply to fields with high surface residue, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.
Planting cover crops can cut prevent-plant acres in wet springs, lowering federal crop insurance losses.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sensor-guided nitrogen application can save corn producers money and increase yields, says Peter Scharf, University of Missouri Extension soil scientist.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Brown marmorated stink bugs threaten crops, reducing yields in soybeans, corn, fruits, and vegetables across Missouri.
The MU Extension publication “Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Missouri” can help farmers plan with confidence. It draws on 20 years of weather data to show weekly averages of days suitable for fieldwork. It also includes formulas to estimate how much acreage can be covered per day and size equipment…
Deep roots help grass survive drought, but overgrazing weakens root systems. Rotational grazing boosts pasture growth and efficiency.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Deep-six weed seeds to control pigweeds and other herbicide-resistant pests in soybean fields.“I’m not advocating a return of moldboard plowing,” said Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri weed scientist. “Burying weed seeds with deep tillage does provide one more tool in dealing…
COLUMBIA, Mo.
NORBORNE, Mo. – The Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inducted its first member, a Norborne farmer known as “Mr. Soybean.”The late Donald W. Heil, a lifelong farmer in the Missouri River bottoms of Carroll County, earned honors as an international promoter of soybean, said Bill Wiebold, University of…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Yield potential drops when corn is not planted at the right depth, says University of Missouri Extension corn specialist Greg Luce.The right planting depth improves the chance of a good stand, Luce says.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Remote sensors can play a big part of farming in the future. Those sensors can be on a 10-foot pole or a satellite 250 miles out in space.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In dry weather with short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought continues to plague southwestern and west-central Missouri as pastures dry and cattle producers start to feed hay well ahead of schedule.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Extension agronomist talk was calm on the weekly teleconference. Few problems discussed on bugs, weeds, fungus or other pests. Then the weather hit the fan. Reports from across Missouri told of farmers’ concerns about lack of rain.
Most people don’t think of grass as poison, but dry weather and drought can turn a pasture dangerous.
Early alfalfa weevil activity signals growers to scout fields and take action if infestations exceed economic thresholds.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain makes grass grow. That’s good for grazing livestock, but makes haying difficult.Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist, sees unusual potential for cattle producers.
Fall offers the best opportunity to establish or renovate cool-season forages like tall fescue, orchardgrass and winter annuals such as brassicas, oats, wheat, rye and triticale. With strong cattle prices and improved cash flow, now is a smart time to invest in your forage base.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tight crop profits cause farmers to plant more soybean acres. On April 4, growers can learn latest research at a soybean symposium in Columbia.
COLUMBIA. Mo. – Shortage of cattle forage forces some Ozark herd owners to chop trees to feed leaves. That method was used in big droughts of the 1930s and 1950s.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Newly made spring hay finally being baled in June may be toxic for cattle. Hold off on feeding new hay, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.The longer the hay can be stored after baling, the less toxic it becomes.
Farmers are improving fertilizer efficiency, producing more crops per unit. Adoption of better nutrient management practices is increasing.
Learn how to plant and manage warm-season annuals like pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass to maintain quality forage during summer shortages.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish reports confirmation of red crown rot, a yield-robbing soybean disease, in Marion County in northeastern Missouri.
Learn to support pollinators through hands-on classes covering bees, butterflies, habitat, and conservation starting in May.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management reports the capture of its first Japanese beetles of the season, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A wet fall harvest and a cold winter might make conditions especially dangerous for grain producers emptying grain bins to fulfill commodity contracts and prepare for wheat harvest.
Tad and Kim Carnahan transitioned from Colorado to Missouri's agriculture, adopting rotational grazing and sustainable practices to enhance their cattle operation.
Connect with local feedstuff sellers or buyers. Browse listings of hay, baleage, silage, and coproducts. Compare prices and estimate delivery costs.
University of Missouri Extension will offer Hay Quality Management workshops this fall in Cole, Miller, Gasconade and Osage counties. Local livestock and hay producers are invited to attend these free programs intended to help farmers improve hay quality to reduce feed costs and enhance livestock…
Free online tool helps farmers plan nitrogen application for better yields and reduced environmental impact.
STOCKTON, Mo. – Add legumes to grazing pastures to improve cow performance, soil health and forage production, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in Cedar County.
Frost-seeding legumes boosts pasture health, lowers input costs, improves soil fertility, and supports cattle growth even in drought-prone areas.
Learn how simple diagnostic tools and soil management practices can improve crop health, increase yields, and optimize harvest decisions.
Learn key tips to prevent grain bin accidents and protect farmworkers during April 9–13 safety awareness week.
Stored dry grain represents a substantial investment of time and money. Protect that investment by properly drying and storing grain. The basics of grain drying, storage, management and care are outlined below.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Recent rains have given producers hope that they will be able to plant wheat this fall. Producers may be looking to plant wheat not only for a grain crop but also to provide some fall and early spring grazing, says a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Learn hops growing, setup, and marketing at Missouri's first hops workshop during the Great Plains Growers Conference.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain-delayed haymaking leads to poor-quality feed for livestock next winter. Supplemental feed will be needed to make balanced rations, says University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Rob Kallenbach.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Temperatures drop, sunshine dims and pastures stop growing. That’s when cow nutrition becomes critical, says Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist.More hay was baled in 2013 than in the drought of 2012. But quantity doesn’t equal quality. Much of the hay…
Programs train veterans in beekeeping and farming while connecting them with peers and new career opportunities.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drones are higher in quality and lower in price than they were just a few years ago when farmers began using them, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Kent Shannon.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — They have intriguing names such as hairy vetch, pearl millet and birdsfoot trefoil. Collectively known as cover crops or green manure, they've been used for years to increase soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into soil, making it available for cash crops such as corn…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use of in-season nitrogen on corn has increased in Missouri and surrounding states over the past 10 years. What used to be rare is now common. Some of these applications are planned, but others are to give corn yields a boost when wet weather causes nitrogen loss.
Missouri farmers can apply for cover crop and silvopasture incentive funds through Aug. 31 to support climate-smart practices.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soil tests can save farmers thousands of dollars, says Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most Missouri lawns have had plenty of water during this year’s cool, wet spring, so homeowners may not be thinking of how to properly irrigate those lush, green lawns now that the year’s first summer heat blast has arrived.
Survey data shows Missouri farmland prices rising slower, with regional shifts and forecasts shaping decisions for buyers, sellers, and landowners.
Learn why legumes like clover improve forage, boost nitrogen, balance pH, and support soil test recommendations.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you’ve sent a pasture or hay soil test through your University of Missouri Extension Center, you’ve been asked what kind of forage you have.
Join a free July 23 farm tour highlighting native warm-season grasses for grazing and hay production in southwest Missouri.
Learn how excess Kentucky bluegrass in pastures can limit forage yield and when to interseed alternative grasses for better productivity.
Kochia, a highly competitive weed that can reduce yields by as much as 70%, has been found in northwestern Missouri soybean fields. Kochia is not new to Missouri, but this may be the first report of kochia showing up in cropland.
Late-planted or wet-harvested corn needs careful storage to prevent mold, manage moisture, and maintain quality.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Adding poultry litter or nitrogen to toxic fescue pastures grows more grass, but also boosts toxins in the grass.
COLUMBIA, Mo.–Double-cropping soybeans after wheat provides the opportunity to harvest two crops in the same year from the same piece of land. But there are challenges and concerns with double-cropping, and a University of Missouri Extension agronomist says location is a big factor.
Watch for corn leafhoppers in 2025, as they spread corn stunt disease and reduce yields.
Excerpted from the Environmental Impact of Missouri Crop Production report
Cutting hay in May boosts quality and yield. Harvest before seed develops and store properly to preserve nutrients and minimize losses.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers understand fertilizer prices fluctuate with time.