Markets & Ag
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.…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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MUDDY RIVER MORNINGS: Jan. 17
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