Markets & Ag
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a perennial plant with attractive foliage and has become an increasingly popular ground cover for shaded areas of landscapes. It is native to the woodlands of eastern North America, including Illinois. Wild ginger prefers shady areas with moist, well-drained soils that are rich in organic matter.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – A master pollinator steward program offered by University of Missouri Extension begins soon. The five-week program focuses on ways to protect and support pollinators, which are declining significantly due to a loss of feeding and nesting habitats, says MU Extension field specialist in horticulture Tamra Reall. Pollinators – including bees, butterflies and…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few vegetables elicit less excitement from the average gardener than beets, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Once relegated to pickling or making borscht, beet is enjoying greater respect due to its reported health benefits, Trinklein said. Humans have eaten beets for more than 5,000 years, he said. Beets originally…
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QUINCY — More than 50 enthusiastic 4-H members from Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties came together on Saturday, March 22, for the annual Super Saturday, a hands-on learning event coordinated by the University of Illinois Extension in Quincy. Now in its third year, Super Saturday offers youth the chance to explore new interests,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management has issued its first pest alerts of the growing season. MU Extension state field crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says corn and wheat growers should be on the lookout for early season pests, including black cutworm and true armyworm. Significant numbers of black cutworm moths…
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MILAN, Ill. — In addition to the spring flowers blooming outside, many enjoy the fragrant flowers of a Lilium longiflorum (Easter lily) as a symbol of spring and the Christian holiday Easter. For us to enjoy these blooming beauties during a midwestern spring, growers manipulate the growth cycle and force them to bloom. As Easter lily…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturists ask the public not to plant unsolicited seeds received in the mail. MU Extension horticulturist Kelly McGowan says she has had recent reports from Springfield-area residents who have been mailed seeds they did not order. MU Extension, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (www.aphis.usda.gov), Missouri…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The flowering dogwood tree celebrates its 70th birthday as the Missouri state tree in 2025. There is no better place to celebrate than Missouri’s Ozark woodlands from mid-April to early May when the dogwood is in bloom, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Inconspicuous for most of the year, these…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — A new University of Missouri Extension publication offers corn growers help in identifying Missouri’s newest corn pest, the corn leafhopper. MU Extension state crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says “Biology and Management of Corn Leafhopper” offers insights on corn stunt disease and strategies to manage this new pest. In 2024, MU…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Are you daydreaming of future cobblers, crumbles, jams, jellies and pies? If you grow your own cane fruit/brambles in early spring, while the plants are still dormant, it is an important time for plant pruning and care. These tasks need to take place before plants leaf out, which means if you haven’t…
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Spring is here as we begin to see early flowers start to grow out of the mulch in our perennial flowerbeds. We plan on leaving the mulch on them a few more days to protect ladybugs and other helpful insects, as we might still have a few cold nights. When pruning grapes, remember that new…
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Educators are planting seeds of knowledge in third-grade classrooms this spring through Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves). Missouri Farmers Care, a non-profit coalition of Missouri agricultural organizations, hosts Ag Moves. Passionate educators lead students in fun, hands-on lessons, to show how their lives are connected to agriculture. Ag Moves…
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — You can look high and low, but you likely won’t find a climbing vine that compares to the clematis, known as the “Queen of the Vines,” says Gwen Funk, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture. Part of the buttercup family, clematis comprises several species and numerous cultivars. Color, bloom…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — April is National Gardening Month and a good time to plant a garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. For those who lacked the motivation in the past to garden, consider these benefits: Economic. Vegetable gardening is an excellent way to save on the food bill. The National Gardening Association…
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SHELBINA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will offer a free waste pesticide collection event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 5, at MFA Agri Services, 215 W. Maple. The collection is open to Missouri farmers and households. Accepted (limited to 8,000 pounds total weight per farm or household): Not Accepted: Pesticide…
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TUSCUMBIA, Mo. — Soil testing and proper fertilization are key to productive warm-season forages in Missouri, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy In a new publication, Baral gives guidelines for soil testing and fertilizer management for warm-season forages in Missouri. “Maintaining healthy forage for livestock requires understanding the specific needs…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – A favorite spring flower, the Easter lily, should be kept away from cats. If ingested, it could kill them. The perennial plant’s white, trumpet-like flowers might not sound the warning that all parts of it are highly toxic to felines. Tim Evans, University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist, said even small amounts…
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NOVELTY, Mo. — As the growing season approaches, many growers will consider using drones to spray their fields. A new University of Missouri Extension publication, “Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications,” introduces cost-estimating tools for farmers and custom operators interested in investing in drones for spray applications. In a press release, Adauto Rocha,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may have seen edamame in grocery stores or on salad bars and not known what it is, says Todd Higgins, University of Missouri Extension specialist in horticulture. Edamame is a type of soybean grown for direct consumption by people. Edamame (pronounced eh-duh-mah-may) translates from Japanese as “beans on a branch” since…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Forsythias are planted for their stunning floral display in early spring. Have you ever seen a forsythia bush and, for some reason, maybe there are only blooms at the very top and the sides are barren of flowers, or maybe wondered why it didn’t bloom at all? There are several different reasons…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — March is the ideal month to plant two of the hardiest and most nutritious vegetables a home gardener can grow easily: cabbage and kale, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Both are attractive in the garden, with colors ranging from pale green through dark blue to deep reddish purple. Flavors…
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TUSCUMBIA, Mo. — Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Diversifying your forage base with warm-season grasses and legumes can provide a buffer against weather-related forage shortages, says Baral in a new MU Extension publication, “Maximizing Summer Grazing: A Guide…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we creep toward spring, many gardeners begin to get the urge to get out in the garden. Seed starting and garden planning activities are well underway. One gardening technique that many gardeners incorporate into their gardens is companion planting. What is companion planting? There isn’t an agreed-upon definition of what companion…
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MILAN, Ill. — Daffodils are among the most beloved spring flowers known for their bright blooms and easy cultivation. Beginner gardeners to experienced horticulturists alike have delighted in daffodils for centuries. As our spring advances, we take a closer look at the flower that has become an emblem of renewal and hope and a welcome…
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MRN THIS WEEK: QFD CHIEF STEVE SALRIN
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