Markets & Ag
MARION COUNTY, Mo. — Lacey Miller is a testament to the spirit of American agriculture and community leadership in #Agri-Ready Designated Marion County. Lacey represents legacy and tradition with an unwavering commitment to the land and people around her as a fifth-generation farmer. Alongside her husband, Nathan, and their children Reed and Natalie, the Millers…
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MACOMB, Ill. — I recently received my first question about Japanese beetles. Throughout a growing season, plants, insects, diseases and many other natural processes emerge, develop and complete their life cycles. How do we know when to expect Japanese beetles to emerge? Or squash vine borers? To help answer these questions, we can use weather…
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You can do anything you want to do in your garden, flowerbed and yard during this time of year. You can harvest cool-season vegetables. Even some fruit is ready to harvest. Working on the St. Mary Community Garden has been a learning experience in several ways, such as knowing what people like and don’t like…
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Kochia, a highly competitive weed that can reduce yields by as much as 70%, has been found in northwestern Missouri soybean fields, says Wayne Flanary, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Kochia is not new to Missouri, according to Flora of Missouri, a project of the Missouri Botanical Garden…
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CARTHAGE, Mo. — Nothing says Fourth of July like a juicy, red slice of watermelon. July is observed as National Watermelon Month. University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Matthew Huchteman says there are a few simple steps to check watermelons for ripeness and flavor. Ripe watermelons have a certain look, weight and sound. Watermelons come…
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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. The beetles appeared in Stoddard, Barton, Christian and Holt counties, as reported by MU’s Pest Monitoring Network, which gathers information from across the state. Since Japanese beetles are…
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LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — Even though June is winding down, it’s never too late to recognize the importance of June Dairy Month, a time to celebrate the hardworking dairy farm families who bring nutritious, delicious dairy products to our tables every day. June Dairy Month has been a tradition across the United States for more…
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QUINCY — Land management can feel overwhelming, especially when landowners aren’t sure where to begin. With so many topics to consider, it’s easy to feel stuck. The Your Land, Your Legacy workshop series is designed to break down complex topics into manageable, practical steps. This series helps landowners build confidence and skills to care for…
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PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Showcase your historic tractor through a new club established by the American Tractor Museum in collaboration with University of Missouri Extension and Missouri Farm Bureau. The MU Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES) has set up a database for the American Tractor Club, a project of the Perryville, Mo., museum created…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cattle rid their bodies of heat in three ways: radiation, convection and evaporation. “If your cattle can’t use all three methods, they’ll overheat fast,” says University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey in a press release. Summer heat knocks weight off calves and pounds off milk, Bailey says. Losses…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — If you spend enough time looking at and working with plants, you’ll inevitably come across galls. Galls are abnormal growths and can be caused by a variety of different organisms, including insects (like aphids, flies, wasps) and mites, and occasionally nematodes, fungi and bacteria. Galls can be on leaves, twigs, roots or…
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COLUMBIA, Mo.— Nativars, superhero plants that possess the virtues of native plants but in a more attractive package, make good choices for landscaped areas. Use nativars as part of your gardening “green movement,” University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein said. Native plants earn gardeners’ accolades because they grow naturally in the local environment. They…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Some record high prices marked the spring sales of Show-Me-Select bred heifers. The combined gross amount from the five regional sales was $2,321,900 for 602 bred heifers. University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program takes nearly a year to complete. Heifers undergo an examination usually four to eight weeks before breeding.…
Read Full Article GALENA, Mo. — Compared to other parts of the agricultural community, graziers of cattle depend less on fossil fuel and more on solar energy to turn a natural resource like grass into a sellable commodity, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg. Graziers can save on operating expenses and provide quality feed to meet…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Poison hemlock, a plant that can kill livestock, is flowering and setting seed now in much of Missouri. While early control is recommended, it still can be managed with spot treatments or mowing, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. Poison hemlock is one of the first pasture weeds to…
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MILAN, Ill. — If you have noticed ragged, irregular holes in your hostas or other broad-leaf garden plants, you may be dealing with garden slugs. These soft-bodied pests can be found in shady, moist gardens, and although small, they can cause significant damage. Identifying Slugs Slugs are members of the mollusk family, closely related to…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Bearing fruit ranging in color from red, orange and yellow to purple, white and chocolate-black, sweet peppers are the Easter eggs of the vegetable garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Like potato and tomato, sweet pepper is a member of the nightshade family. Sweet peppers are easy to establish…
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NORTHEAST, Mo. — A new collaborative initiative, Hogs for Hunger, is set to tackle food insecurity in northeast Missouri by supplying area food pantries with locally produced pork. This program is a partnership between Missouri Farmers Care, the Missouri Pork Association and United Way of the Mark Twain Area. Both Missouri Farmers Care and United…
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MACOMB, Ill. — As demand for water resources and concern for water conservation increase across the U.S, drip irrigation is becoming a popular method to reduce water bills and safeguard water resources. Drip irrigation is a method that enables water to gradually seep onto the soil surface or directly into the root zone through a…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Good scouting is the best way to identify tar spot in corn, says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Tar spot was confirmed in June of 2023 and 2024 in Missouri, which is earlier than in previous years, when the disease showed up in August or September. This earlier…
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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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