Markets & Ag
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — While explaining new requirements in the National Dairy FARM 5.0 program, a University of Missouri Extension specialist told dairy producers to be aware of what may be coming in 2027. At the Missouri Dairy Expo last month in Springfield, Scott Poock said FARM 6.0 will probably require some form of group housing…
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Hopefully many of you have received some much-needed rain during the last few days. The rain, with the above-normal temperatures, will help many plants start to grow. I have had some questions in the past few days about getting new grass to start to grow. Spring and fall are the best times to start new…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With the arrival of warmer weather in the spring, we start to see signs of new life in our landscapes. Birds begin singing, our landscapes start turning green again, and spring ephemeral plants start to emerge. Among the spring ephemerals in Illinois, one of the most captivating and commonly encountered are Virginia…
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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…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein says it is time to plant bulbs indoors for later enjoyment outdoors. When started indoors before the weather warms, these inexpensive, tender bulbs give gardeners a jump start on spring color. Call them “instant gratification” for gardeners, said Trinklein. Most greenhouses and big box stores…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Prices paid in 2024 for dairy products should be similar to 2023, while net returns may be better, according to University of Missouri Extension economist Scott Brown. Brown told attendees at the 2024 Missouri Dairy Expo that average weather and feed costs will be key factors for this year’s outlook. In a…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — National Animal Poison Prevention Week, March 17-23, is a time for pet owners to assess what plants and products can potentially poison their animals, identify signs they’ve been poisoned and learn how to prevent pet poisoning. It is also a good time to remind livestock owners of springtime dangers of potential poisons,…
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TROY, Mo. — Soils are much drier now than they were at the start of last year’s planting season, says University of Missouri Extension climatologist Zachary Leasor. Despite gains in December and January, soil moisture sits below average for most of the state, Leasor says. Soil moisture plays an important role in the upper part…
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The 2024 Rules for the Road Trucking Seminar will be held on March 20 starting at 9 a.m. at the Ursa Farmers Coop headquarters (old Greenfield School) located at 2397 Hwy 96 N, Ursa, IL. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. Make a reservation by calling the Farm Bureau office at 217-222-7305. Prices subject to confirmation…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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