Markets & Ag
MILAN, Ill. — Three of my most prized trees are the oaks we planted in our front yard shortly after we moved. They share our front yard with a black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red twig dogwoods (Cornus sericea), witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) and apple (Malus spp.) trees. Our adopted oaks have become established and have…
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PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters. In 2020, the USDA named Missouri a primary peanut-producing state, a designation for states averaging more than 10,000 tons of peanut production annually over three years, says Justin Calhoun, University of Missouri Extension…
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SALEM, Mo. — November is a good time to review winter feeding plans, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. “Forage growth has come to an end, so making sure producers have what they need to feed their livestock though the winter is important,” Meusch said in a press release. “These three…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The McDonough County Community Foundation recently announced a donation from Genie Marshall to support the Macomb agriculture program with the “Phil Marshall Agriculture in Classroom Fund” at the Macomb Middle School. Phil Marshall, who farmed several acres east of Macomb for over 40 years and passed away in 2010, was always supportive…
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MACOMB, Ill. —Thanksgiving is an American tradition. We get together with family or friends to celebrate a successful harvest and recognize what we are grateful for. Thanksgiving has been a part of American culture since the beginning. While Thanksgiving Day is a tradition, millions of Americans will spend an entire weekend with family and friends.…
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The weather is more normal for this time of year. We are finally getting rain that will seal the cracks in the ground, helping the roots on plants, shrubs, bushes, trees and grass survive the coming winter. Nov. 11-20 is Indian Summer, and the weather is supporting it. Hopefully we keep these temperatures for several…
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COLUMBIA, Mo.— In a press release, David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension, said, “Given most nuts ripen late in the year, they have long been associated with the holiday season.” It also is one of the few times consumers see what nuts look like in nature. Nuts often are purchased with their…
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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Don’t be intimidated by the the prospect of cooking a big Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not that difficult, even for novice cooks, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. First, make sure you have enough bird, says Tammy Roberts. If you’re hosting a large group, get at least one pound of whole…
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QUINCY — Plat books are a reference tool for landowners and business owners. They serve as essential guides for agriculture, land development, hunting, real estate, utilities, municipal government and more. The latest edition, the 2025 Adams County Land Atlas and Plat Book, is now available with the Adams County Bicentennial logo on the front cover. The…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us start planning our holiday meals. While turkey, cranberries and pumpkins may get most of the attention, herbs also play an important role in our Thanksgiving meals. Herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley and chives provide flavor and a pleasing aroma to our meals. They can also…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Squash usually takes a back seat to sweet potato, cranberry and pumpkin in modern-day Thanksgiving meals. Yet squash is rich in both history and nutrition, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. The Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe members enjoyed squash at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 in Plymouth colony. The…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the autumn leaves fall from our trees, the trunk and branching structure become more prominent and visible. This transformation can add new dimensions and interest to a landscape, but it can also draw our attention to tree health challenges we might have overlooked in other seasons. As we observe the trees…
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The American Farm Bureau Federation has voted to terminate the membership of Illinois Farm Bureau Federation, effective Dec. 20. The vote came Tuesday from the AFBF board of directors, which met following a meeting with IFB and Country Financial executives in Bloomington, Ill. Country and IFB share the same board of directors and executives. In an email to…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey in a…
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MACOMB, Ill. — If there is one certainty for all humans, it is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when looking at fire or water. Scientists have studied this effect and shown that our brains reduce stress chemicals when we are staring at…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — If a little is good, a lot must be better. That’s often the approach home gardeners take when plants and flowers don’t do well, says University of Missouri Extension soil scientist Manjula Nathan. But adding more fertilizer and topsoil without testing the soil may be a waste of money. It also can…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves in the fall. But leaves allowed to remain on lawns can pack down to form a tight mat that prevents sunlight from reaching the grass, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the potential for…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff celebrates the creepy qualities of some insects and fungi, even after Halloween. For example, many fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps can parasitize insects, turning them into “zombie bugs” that help the fungi reproduce. “They prey most often on beetles, ants, dragonflies and butterflies,” says Althoff. Infected…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are fielding questions about plants that are blooming and leafing out of season. MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly, who serves as the state extension Master Gardener coordinator, says she’s noticed many social media postings about spring-blooming flowers and shrubs, especially irises and lilacs, budding and blooming in…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler, many species of insects will search for places to spend the winter. Depending on the insect, they will seek out a variety of locations, such as in soil, under leaf litter, under tree bark, or even in our homes. One that we…
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Many of you have had a frost or freeze in the past few weeks, but it didn’t do much damage. All of your root-type vegetables, even some above-ground vegetables, survived. To keep them growing, water them so the roots aren’t exposed to the cold air. Draw on paper your garden plan where all your vegetables…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory advises against fall application of anhydrous ammonia anywhere in Missouri. Fall application increases the risk for substantial losses in the period between fall and when the corn needs the nitrogen in June and July. Instead, preplant and side-dress applications to minimize potential…
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GREEN CASTLE, Mo. — The Northeast Missouri Women in Agriculture event scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, will offer fun and facts for women wanting to improve their gardens, forests and farms. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wildflower Grove, 1119 Front, Green Castle. The town is on Missouri Route…
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MILAN, Ill. — The natural process of trees shedding leaves in the fall is the most visible sign of trees preparing for winter dormancy. Shedding leaves is a tree’s way of self-preservation, reducing plant material that require resources that become scarce during the cold days and short daylight of winter. While the rainbow of colors…
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