Markets & Ag
COLUMBIA, Mo. — When faced with a sparse or failed stand, crop producers have to ask themselves a difficult question: Should I replant? In a press release, Drew Kientzy, University of Missouri Extension research analyst, said, “Poor stands are not a happy sight, and replant decisions come with a lot of second thoughts and lost…
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QUINCY — Step back in time to explore the roots of local agriculture at the 1930s Ag Museum this summer. Guests can learn firsthand what farming looked like in the early 20th century through authentic displays, demonstrations and historical context. These special events are hosted through a partnership between the Don McKinley Family, owners of…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As gardeners, we’re often on the lookout for low-maintenance plants with colorful flower displays. One such plant that fits that description, and is vastly underutilized in the landscape, is Baptisia. These easy-to-grow native perennials are primarily grown for their colorful floral displays, ranging from blue, purple, white, and yellow. They can also…
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SALEM, Mo. – Feral hog occupancy of Missouri watersheds has fallen 84% since 2016 when the state’s Feral Hog Elimination Partnership began. Funded by the U.S. Farm Bill and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the partnership comprises 18 federal and state entities work together to eliminate feral hogs on public and private lands.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — It’s the time of year when flies and ticks start becoming a problem for cattle, and they can be more than just a nuisance. “These external parasites not only cause irritation and stress but also reduce production efficiency and serve as vectors for certain cattle diseases,” said Craig Payne, University of Missouri…
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Hort Report: Think about pruning bushes, shrubs within 30 days after they finish blooming, flowering
Hoping everyone had a Great Mother’s Day with their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Enjoy the time you have together. Congratulations to all the seniors. Succeed in all your dreams. As your spring shrubs and bushes finish flowering this spring, think about pruning them within a month of them finishing blooming and flowering for this year. …
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MILAN, Ill. — Homeowners looking to enhance their landscape this year while managing stormwater have options available. Green infrastructure options include permeable pavement, rain barrels, large trees, green roofs, raingardens, bioswales and more. Each of these systems are designed to utilize technologies or replicate natural systems in urban areas that create habitat, reduce the heat…
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program. Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets. “This program grows in popularity each year…
Read Full Article LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the University of Missouri Extension is emphasizing the importance of mental health in farming and rural communities. Brenda Schreck, a livestock field specialist with MU Extension and based in Lewis County, highlights the challenges faced by Missouri farmers, ranchers and their families. “In 2022,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — “In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row …. ” So begins “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian poet and military physician. “The poem’s powerful imagery of sacrifice, remembrance, and duty helped to make poppy one of the most recognized symbols to…
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Now is the time to be cleaning your flowerbeds, getting them ready for planting in 2025. Killing weeds and keeping them out of your garden and flowerbeds is important, to growing vegetables and flowers. Now is a great time to be doing this. A weed is considered anything that grows where you don’t want it…
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As the global population continues to rise, modern agronomy faces increasing pressures to enhance productivity while maintaining sustainability. Autonomous agriculture has emerged as a promising solution, integrating robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced sensor technologies to transform traditional farming into a more efficient, precise, and sustainable practice. By automating routine tasks and optimizing farm management,…
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MACOMB, Ill. — During my time as an Illinois Extension educator, I have run across many garden myths. Too many to keep track of. But some myths keep on coming up in teaching and talking with Illinoisians. Some myths are more localized, while others are widespread and often touted as garden “hacks” online. Some garden…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Northeast Missouri cattle producers are encouraged to take advantage of the long-standing Missouri Bull Testing Program, an initiative designed to improve the genetic quality, performance and profitability of beef herds across the state. The Missouri Bull Testing program is sponsored by the Northeast Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association and is a cooperation…
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LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — May is officially recognized as Beef Month, shining a spotlight on the dedicated farmers and ranchers who raise high-quality cattle while caring for the land. Missouri is home to more than 53,000 farms, spanning more than 10 million acres, and supports more than 4.3 million head of cattle. Beef production is…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — According to Greek mythology, Iris was a goddess who served as a messenger between the divine world and the human world. The Greek gods never communicated directly with mortals. Instead, they sent Iris, who traveled on a rainbow. “Legend has it that colorful flowers sprung up at the end of the rainbow…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Columbines are popular garden plants. They can be found in various colors, ranging from red, pink, yellow, white, purple and blue, and they can help fill the gap between early spring blooming plants like tulips and daffodils and the summer blooming plants that dominate our landscapes. Columbine flowers are unique and instantly…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — For yield and quality, May is the best time to harvest cool-season grasses, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann. May is when cool-season grasses transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage. Many grasses such as tall fescue, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass are already flowering in…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Most flowering annuals in gardens around the U.S. have stood the test of time, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. For example, geraniums were planted in Europe in the 17th century and have been an American favorite for more than 200 years. Petunia, as we know it today, appeared in…
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MILAN, Il. — Trees are an essential element of a healthy, vibrant community. Trees, large and small, help clean our air, shade our landscapes, provide wildlife habitat and improve our mental and physical well-being. Planting trees throughout our community, in parks, along streets and trails, at civic buildings and in residential yards is ideal, but…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Lots of trees get planted in April, at least in Illinois. What follows is a “will they, won’t they …survive?” In multiple instances, I’ve come across a tree that gets planted and maybe watered once to a handful of times that year. What most people don’t realize is that it can take…
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QUINCY — Nonprofit educational institutions and organizations in west central Illinois and northeast Missouri are invited to apply for project funding to advance education and innovation in the field of production agriculture. Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded through a new Community Foundation program, “AgForward,” made possible by the Bob W. Richter Endowment…
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Plan now to use basic design principals to create a patriotic garden this summer, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk. “Designing your outdoor living space comes with many opportunities for creativity,” said Funk in a press release. “One might be thinking about themed garden beds, pots and hanging…
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