Markets & Ag
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. — Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Diversifying your forage base with warm-season grasses and legumes can provide a buffer against weather-related forage shortages, says Baral in a new MU Extension publication, “Maximizing Summer Grazing: A Guide…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we creep toward spring, many gardeners begin to get the urge to get out in the garden. Seed starting and garden planning activities are well underway. One gardening technique that many gardeners incorporate into their gardens is companion planting. What is companion planting? There isn’t an agreed-upon definition of what companion…
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MILAN, Ill. — Daffodils are among the most beloved spring flowers known for their bright blooms and easy cultivation. Beginner gardeners to experienced horticulturists alike have delighted in daffodils for centuries. As our spring advances, we take a closer look at the flower that has become an emblem of renewal and hope and a welcome…
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WEST PLAINS, Mo. — For cow-calf producers, it is ideal to have one healthy calf on the ground per cow per year. Producers should also strive to have cows that are productive in the herd for many years. On average, a cow must stay in the herd for six years for the producer to break…
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Financial markets continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and as investors seek opportunities, they are paying close attention to the core principles by which companies operate. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it is a fundamental requirement. Freedom Holding Corp., a Nasdaq-listed, US-based financial services company, is basing its global expansion on environmental, social,…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Perhaps one of the most favored hobbies of gardeners, wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts is to feed the birds. Setting out a bird feeder with seed or suet cakes is a popular way many people use to feed the birds, but there are other methods we can employ. You can grow plants…
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QUINCY — Illinois Master Naturalist volunteers are making an impact in their communities, connecting people with nature through conservation, education and hands-on restoration projects. West-Central Illinois Master Naturalists contributed more than 1,600 hours of volunteer service in 2024 — an increase of 447 hours from 2023. Their work included removing invasive species at Camp Eastman…
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — With a little bit of planning, gardeners can enjoy small amounts of fresh produce throughout the season by succession sowing, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Eliza Pessereau. Succession sowing, sometimes called relay planting, means planting seeds of a particular crop at regular intervals so that the plants mature at…
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Bringing fresh flowers inside adds a touch of nature and color that changes any room. Adding flowers to modern interior design gives a chance to include natural elements with sleek designs. Flowers bring life and character, providing spaces with more warmth and uniqueness. Many homeowners now choose local flower services to make their homes brighter.…
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The upcoming days are going to be seasonal with warm days and cool nights. There is still time to prune on your fruit trees, grapes and brambles. When pruning cherry and peach trees, use the open vase/open face method of pruning. The branches and limbs grow out and away from the center of the tree.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — It is hard to think about gardening when the weather is cool. “However, now is the perfect time to start seeds of certain garden plants indoors so they will be ready for transplant when warmer weather arrives,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein in a press release. By kick-starting…
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Have you realized that every time you go to a new city, you end up seeing a farmer’s market? West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri are seeing a fast-growing farmers’ market scene. Small farms provide fresh, healthy food, helping local communities and economies. It’s like how live casino games are changing online entertainment with real-time action.…
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MACOMB, Ill. — To my fellow Illinois gardeners – I know these cold winter days can feel long and dreary. One way to combat the winter blues is by propagating your houseplants. After all, your houseplants are stuck inside with you, so why not have some fun with them? Plant propagation is essentially creating new…
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SHELBINA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will offer a free waste pesticide collection event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 5, at MFA Agri Services, 215 W. Maple, in Shelbina. Accepted (limited to 8,000 lbs. total weight per farm or household): Not Accepted: Registration is recommended but not required. Register at…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Drought is costing Missouri agriculture significant amounts of money. Since the 1980s, Missourians have had 16 drought disasters costing $1 billion or more, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the total cost of these disasters is between $10 billion and $20 billion.…
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QUINCY — The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ag Banquet on Tuesday, March 11, at Town & Country Inn and Suites celebrates the contributions of the agricultural community and honors leaders who make a difference in the field. Bastert Farm Equipment was named the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness of the Year, Mike…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — If you’ve ever seen a cow suddenly collapse in early spring, seemingly out of nowhere, you might have witnessed a case of grass tetany, says University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey. This metabolic disorder, historically linked to magnesium deficiency, can be a problem for cattle grazing lush cool-season grasses.…
Read Full Article POTOSI, Mo. — Missouri is coming off consecutive years of severe droughts and depleted cool-season pastures. As drought lingers, so do old practices that worsen its impact, says Rachel Hopkins, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist. She likens it to an oft-quoted definition of insanity – “doing the same thing over and over and…
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CARROLLTON, Mo. — If a leprechaun leaps from the faerie den this St. Patrick’s Day to ask if you know a shamrock from a clover, what will you answer? “If you said the shamrock is a clover, you’re in luck,” says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Kathi Mecham in a press release. In short,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ask five farmers how much their hay bales weigh, and you’ll probably get five different answers — none of which are backed up by a scale ticket. “That’s because most folks think they know their bale weights, but more often than not, they’re guessing,” said University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist…
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QUINCY — U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-15, Illinois) told a group of Adams County Farm Bureau members Friday she has been in meetings with President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk to stress the importance of family farms. “The government is so bloated and inefficient, and President Trump wants to make it work better…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Proper management of the spring flush of tall fescue gives pastures and cattle a head start for the rest of the grazing season, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann. Spring flush occurs when conditions are right for cool-season grasses to come out of their dormant state. This happens…
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – With spring around the corner, University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Kelly McGowan urges gardeners to consider how they can help monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are one of the most popular and well-known insects, but populations are declining. McGowan says declines can be attributed to many factors, including breeding habitat…
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MILAN, Il. — As the growing season approaches, final plans are being made for home gardens. What to plant and where to plant are big questions that require multiple levels of consideration. What to plant requires an analysis of what the intended use is, what the growing space can support, and how the climate is…
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Now is the best time of year to prune all types of fruit trees, grapes and brambles while they are still in their dormant stage. As the weather warms up and the sap starts to run, you shouldn’t be pruning as this will hurt the production of fruit. Once you begin to see buds start…
Read Full Article April 22, 2025
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