Markets & Ag
MILAN, Ill. — We live in a fast-paced world. From food to information to travel, what took our grandparents hours, days, or weeks to obtain, we can have in seconds and minutes. Fresh produce and plant material are no different. Carrots, berries, melons and bananas are available year-round in the local grocery store. Not far…
Read Full Article GREEN RIDGE, Mo. — Missouri cattle producer John Chamberlin didn’t want to sell his cows when drought lingered and hay supplies and forages dwindled last year. With more than 600 head of Angus cows, Chamberlin looked to the internet for ideas. A University of Missouri Extension video on the benefits of grazing standing milo intrigued…
Read Full Article CARROLLTON, Mo. — Some things just go together like biscuits and gravy or peanut butter and jelly. Likewise, plants have companions that produce best when planted side by side, says Kathi Mecham, a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist in Carroll County. With gardening season ahead, Mecham suggests considering how plants can benefit each other.…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Adams County Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension are partnering to provide a seminar focused on helping women with farm succession planning and navigating USDA FSA farm programs from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, March 26, at the Adams County Farm Bureau, 330 S. 36th. Lunch will be provided by Adams…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Missouri Invasive Plant Council, in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will host a Callery pear “buyback” program around the state on April 23. People who complete the event registration will receive a free native tree when they show a photo of…
Read Full Article The University of Missouri’s Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (NM-REEC) expands across the Mark Twain watershed — a drinking source for more than 85,000 Missourians. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, it will soon help monitor water quality in the area better than ever before and at…
Read Full Article New exhibition rules for showing cattle, swine at county fairs, exhibitions go into effect this year
COLUMBIA, Mo. — New exhibition rules issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture late last year for showing cattle and swine at county fairs and exhibitions go into effect this year. University of Missouri Extension specialists say the changes encourage healthy animals. In a press release, Marcia Shannon, MU Extension state swine specialist, said, “Because…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Can you hear them? Probably not yet, but soon Illinois will be awash in the songs of periodical cicadas. This year is a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois, where Broods XIII and XIX will be emerging throughout much of the state at the same time for the first time since…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — The recent weather has been mild. As I write, it is currently 75 degrees outside, and I am using all my willpower to stay inside and type out this article. In addition to fighting the urge to clean up the garden, some people have been concerned about how the warm winter weather…
Read Full Article We’ve seen record-high temperatures in the past few days. It looks like we will be seeing more warm days in the next few weeks too. Many of you are starting to buy your garden seed from mail or online retailers, local stores or large garden centers. From the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, you…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H state meats judging contest on Feb. 17 drew 54 competing 4-H members from across the state. Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the event gave contestants the opportunity to hone their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities, said Maria Calvert, MU…
Read Full Article The saying about weather in Missouri is true. If you don’t like it, wait a couple of days and it will change. We still have time to prune your fruit trees, grapes and brambles. Don’t want to prune after the sap starts flowing for this year. When pruning grapes, remember new grapes only grow on…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Managing a pond or lake for sport fishing takes time, resources and a year-round commitment. Timing is crucial for many pond and lake management practices. The approaching spring is an ideal time in Missouri to evaluate and determine if ponds need to be stocked or restocked, said Robert Pierce, associate extension professor…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The phrase “waste not, want not” goes back to a time when the essentials of life were difficult to obtain, but it continues to be good advice today, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. It applies even to ashes produced this time of the year by wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sam Polly, coordinator of University of Missouri Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program, wants to make Missouri a safer place that allows for its agricultural economy to continue to grow. Polly says the program is the backbone of agricultural and commercial pest management in Missouri. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries contribute $369 million annually…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Successful fish farming in Missouri depends on identifying and serving market niches, according to an updated guide from University of Missouri Extension. In a press release, Ryan Milhollin, MU Extension agribusiness management specialist, said, “There are a lot of successful aquaculture businesses in Missouri. Each business has found its market niche.” The…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to share one of my great horticulture loves with you … pruning. I love the idea, the exercise, the science and the potential it has for significantly improving the health and longevity of woody plant material. Since trees are large, long-lived plants in our…
Read Full Article The weather has been above normal for temperature and below normal for moisture, so enjoy the warmer weather we are having. Spring is coming soon. We may have a few cold days and nights ahead, so you should still do your spring pruning of your fruit trees. However, I have seen many large groups of…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension will host a “Selling Local Foods” workshop in Hannibal from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 15, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, 301 Warren Barrett Dr. In a press release, Justin Keay, MU Extension horticulturist, said, “Farmers market vendors, including local food producers and farmers,…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Emma Taylor, a first-year student at John Wood Community College and member of the livestock judging team, emerged victorious in the recent Denver Carload Contest at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. Taylor earned the title of national champion in the Denver Carload contest, during which 123 participants from 28 schools…
Read Full Article QUINCY — John Wood Community College, in collaboration with the JWCC Ag Alumni, has established the JWCC Agriculture Hall of Fame as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the college. This initiative aims to honor alumni, past faculty and staff as well as friends of the JWCC agricultural education program for their professional achievements,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Soybean producers are encouraged to submit soil samples for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) egg counts to the SCN Diagnostics clinic in Columbia this spring for free, says Mandy Bish, clinic director and University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist. Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council partners with the clinic to offer four free sample tests…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors honored its 2023 winners during a special ceremony Friday, Jan. 26. Donald and Betty June Waterman, formerly of Williamstown, were recognized posthumously with the Pioneer Dairy Leader Award. The Watermans farmed 260 acres in Lewis County and raised good-quality Guernseys for more than 35 years. They…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — You may be wondering, “What does artificial intelligence (A.I.) have to do with gardening?” Let’s say you have a gardening question. Before the internet, perhaps you reached out to your Illinois Extension office for an answer. With the internet, you could search for your question but had to wade through lots of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Within parks, streams and native prairies, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists serve as environmental stewards in their communities. Master Naturalists in west-central Illinois volunteered more than 460 hours in 2023. Illinois Extension is now opening registration for the next training slated for this spring. The course begins April 3. In a press…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Thousands of agriculture enthusiasts from three states are expected to converge on Macomb in February for Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club’s 52nd annual Farm Expo. Those interested should mark their calendars for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Valentine’s Day flowers will last longer if kept watered and fed, said University of Missouri horticulturist David Trinklein. Trinklein’s tips and homemade preservative recipe provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice their normal lifespan. Cut flowers age when they lose more water than they take…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — The internet is a wild place full of an endless amount of information, ideas, opinions, advice, arguments and more. Tangled in this web, it will come as no surprise that my favorite spaces are those that relate to plants. I’ve been known to have many, many pages open in my browser window…
Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Billions of cicadas will buzz this spring as two broods emerge at the same time. These broods last emerged together in 1803 and won’t appear together again for 221 years. That means that your grandchildren’s great-great-great grandchildren likely will be the next group to experience the dual emergence of these cicada…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Have you ever seen a lilac bush that only blooms at the very top, or maybe not at all? Perhaps you’ve seen or have a forsythia bush that doesn’t bloom nearly as prolifically as it once did. This often happens due to a lack of or improper pruning. When done correctly, pruning…
Read Full Article We have seen a lot of moisture get into the ground during the past few days from all the rain and melting snow. This will help build up the moisture in the soil. The South Shelby Adult Vo-Ag Horticulture had its first class on Jan. 23. Plans are to be starting seeds by Feb. 13.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The leaves are down, winter is upon us, and that means it’s prime time for pruning oak trees which can be infected by the oak wilt fungus if they’re pruned during the high-risk period mid-March through mid-July. In a press release, Hank Stelzer, state forestry specialist with University of Missouri Extension, said,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Farmers often struggled during the drought of 2023 to identify what was happening in their soybean as plants showed similar symptoms with different causes. University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish calls some of these causes doppelgangers, look-alikes that mimic other diseases with confusing similarities and perplexing differences. In addition, old…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri soybean yields have the potential to reach or exceed national averages, says University of Missouri Extension state soybean specialist Andre Reis. Nationally, soybean yields have grown at a pace of 0.4 bushel per acre per year over the past 80 years according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Illinois growers…
Read Full Article QUINCY, — The Quincy Public Library’s seed library program, designed to foster community engagement and promote sustainable gardening practices, will be available from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, in the large meeting room. Learn how you can borrow seeds, connect with fellow gardeners to exchange tips and tricks, take a guided tour…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Just in time to brighten the dull, dreary days of winter, the National Garden Bureau has named the African violet as its houseplant of the year for 2024. The choice is an excellent one, says University of Missouri Extension state horticulture specialist David Trinklein. African violets thrive in most interior settings, provide…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Many Missouri beef producers found themselves trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat as they rang in 2024 with low hay supplies, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey. Bailey says post-drought feeding woes leave producers challenged with “what to feed when there is no feed.” The…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — We are only a few weeks into the new year, and 2024 has already brought an actual winter! At least for now. In the prolonged cold of this past week, going outside has been, well painful. Being stuck inside I have gotten so much accomplished. We organized our storage totes, I got…
Read Full Article Hopefully, all of you made it through the first major snowfall of 2024. If you believe in the old wives’ tales, we should have a total of eight measurable snowfalls this year. It was a heavy, wet snow. All the moisture in the snow will help build the subsoil moisture and seal up the soil…
Read Full Article OSCEOLA, Mo. — Sheep need extra protection in harsh winter weather. In a press release, David Brown, University of Missouri Extension small-ruminant specialist, said, “The end goal for the producer is to ensure sheep and goats thrive through cold winter months.” Shelter Their thick coats protect sheep from extreme weather, Brown said, but the challenge…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Winter can be harsh, especially with the arrival of snow and sub-zero temperatures. While we often retreat indoors or add a few more layers to avoid cold temperatures, many other critters, like insects, must tough it out outdoors. Insects have developed a variety of strategies to deal with the arrival of cold…
Read Full Article BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension will offer a six-part webinar series on the production of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, elderberries and specialty berries. The classes will stream 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 30 to March 5. Attendees also will receive access to previously recorded classes on fruit production. Topics…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — With a new year comes and opportunities for a new start… especially in the garden. As we look through seed catalogs and past garden records to develop plans for next year’s planting, crop rotation in an annual garden bed is an important management method to implement. Crop rotation is a cultural gardening…
Read Full Article Happy New Year to everyone from Laura, Hillary, Sandra and myself. We’re praying that 2024 will be a great year for you and your families in everything you plan on doing in your garden, flowerbeds, yard and the rest of your life. Great news: The daylight hours are getting longer if you haven’t noticed. The…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — The holidays are a time of year to refresh and reflect. It brings much-needed time away from the computer, save typing out this article. I am lucky to have a job where I can take extra time off at the end and beginning of the year, and I intend to do just…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we hunker down for winter, some may begin longing for summer’s warm, sunny days. Perhaps it’s the cold weather or the desire to return to gardening. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of opportunities to continue our gardens indoors. While we often associate citrus with warmer climates (and possibly Christmas stockings),…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Farmers and ranchers have a new tool to find or list hay and co-product feedstuffs for sale: Feedstuff Finder, developed by University of Missouri Extension for individuals looking to buy or sell products. As drought and transportation issues make finding quality feed ingredients difficult, Feedstuff Finder helps livestock producers and feed producers…
Read Full Article KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Beef producers can use a window of profitability to make their farm business more bulletproof. University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Joe Horner says successful beef producers can make small changes in three areas to make their farm less vulnerable to risks: plants, animals and business. Being good in just one of…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — I thought I was doing better this holiday season. I made a list, checked it twice and then awaited Cyber Monday deals. Here’s the problem about Cyber Monday, I had to work that day! Not only was I at work, but I also had a calendar full of boring work stuff that…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardening is an activity with many rewards, says David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. In a press release, Trinklein said, “One of them is the satisfaction of sharing your plant knowledge with others. The Extension Master Gardener program was initiated to do just that. Its motto, “helping others…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — According to songwriters and composers Edward Pola and George Wyle, this is the most wonderful time of the year, but research indicates it may be that and more. According to the American Psychological Association, two in five adults experience an increase in stress levels between November and January. A nearly equal number…
Read Full Article Merry Christmas to everyone from Laura, Hillary, Sandra and me. This is a time of year to remember that Jesus was born to save us all. You should spend time celebrating the birth of Jesus with your family. Spring must be around the corner, because the South Shelby Adult Vo-Ag Class is starting at 5:30…
Read Full Article QUINCY — “Your Land, Your Legacy” is a landowner workshop series on conservation programs and techniques. According to a recent Illinois Extension survey, western Illinois landowners want to learn more about establishing pollinator plots, managing their forests properly for ecological and financial benefit, controlling invasive plants, prescribed burning and restoring streams and ponds through skill-based,…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The holiday season is here, which means evergreens, poinsettias, amaryllis and other holiday plants have arrived in stores. Plants are often at the center of our holiday decorations and traditions and are frequently given as gifts. Whether buying them as gifts or for yourself, following a few tips can help you or…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Agribusiness of the Year and Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year awards until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, with the winners set to be recognized at the ag banquet scheduled for Tuesday, March 12. Bruce Guthrie, president/CEO of the Quincy…
Read Full Article KINGSTON, Mo. — The “Leave the Leaves” movement could just as easily be called “Save the Pollinators,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Manoj Chhetri. Chhetri, who serves northwestern Missouri from his base in Caldwell County, agrees that letting leaves do their thing is better than carting them off to a landfill. That has…
Read Full Article Hopefully everyone enjoyed a great Thanksgivings Day with family and friends. This is a time of year when we need to be thankful for everything we have in this world. If you are like me, you overate and need to lose weight. The snow we had the other day has really helped the soil get…
Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri gardeners will find new guidelines in the updated USDA plant hardiness zone map. The map helps growers zero in on which vegetables and flowers will do best in different parts of the state, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall. Perennial flowers and bushes can be a big investment…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Pecan trees are shaking and shimmying as growers harvest pecans in Missouri, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. During harvest, mechanical shakers are clamped around the trunk of pecan trees. They generate a vigorous vibration that causes the pecans to drop from the tree. After harvest, nuts are sorted from…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Silky smooth potatoes, snappy green beans, bright sweet potatoes, deep green collards and turkeys the size of Volkswagens. It is that time of year when someone in your family cooks like a chef on a reality TV show. Once the yelling ends and smoke alarms are silenced, standing back from the table…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 6-7, will offer insight into how the 2023 drought will affect crops in the year ahead. MU Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor will give an update on weather and climate conditions that led to the onset and persistence of the 2023 drought across…
Read Full Article Congratulations to all the local FFA Chapters represented their schools at the National FFA Convention Nov. 1-4 in Indianapolis. These schools competed at the national level against schools from all over the country. Many people may not know there are no different classes for the FFA and Vo-Ag contest. A school like North Shelby competed…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cranberries have long been considered the crown jewel of Thanksgiving dinners, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In a press release, Trinklein said, “This comes at somewhat of a surprise, since cranberries likely were not served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621.” Although the pilgrims undoubtedly were aware of the…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers paid more for Missouri farmland in 2023, according to the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey from University of Missouri Extension. More than 300 responses were collected from Missouri lenders, farmers, rural appraisers and others familiar with Missouri land values in October 2023. Survey respondents gave estimates of land values for…
Read Full Article KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Feeder Flash livestock market analyst Corbitt Wall will be the featured Friday night speaker at the 24th annual Missouri Livestock Symposium, Dec. 1-2 at William Matthew Middle School in Kirksville. Wall, a fourth-generation cattleman, reports daily market information and shares commentary on current livestock markets on National Beef Wire, says Garry L.…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — As the holiday season approaches, many of us will indulge in an alcoholic beverage or two as a part of the celebration. My preferences vary depending on the season, but during the winter I strongly favor a bottle of red wine. If you are like me and enjoy the vino, let’s explore…
Read Full Article URSA, Ill. — Sharon Tenhouse, a 4-H Leader of Burton Flyers 4-H Club, has served as a volunteer leader for 50 years. She was one of many volunteers and 4-H members celebrated during the 86th annual Adams County 4-H Achievement Day at Ursa Farmers Cooperative on Oct. 15. Current Adams County 4-H program coordinator Siera Duesterhaus…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The leaves are dropping off trees, and many of us are putting our gardens to bed for winter. While preparing the garden for winter, spend a little time preparing your trees and shrubs. Doing a few things this fall can help protect our trees and shrubs from winter damage. Watering doesn’t stop…
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