Markets & Ag
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some flowers don’t mix well with felines. A spring favorite, the Easter lily, is one that could kill a curious cat. The perennial plant’s white, trumpet-like flowers might not sound the warning that all parts of it are highly toxic to cats. Easter lilies are true lilies. They grow from bulbs, not…
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Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo — A newly released study shows that planting cover crops and reduced tillage could substantially lower the number of prevent plant (PPL) acres and subsequent federal crop insurance payments. Cover crops lower the number of PPL acres in wet springs, reducing the loss odds by 24%, according to the six-state study released in…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Homeowners are seeking lawns that are considered more sustainable than conventional lawns. I often get questions regarding eco-lawns or no-mow lawns, which are great options for certain situations. However, if you have kids, or pets, or intend to use your lawn, it is recommended we stick to a more traditional lawn approach.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo — Sometimes, gardeners take the “if some is good, more must be better” approach, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Justin Keay. But it’s possible to shower your garden with too much love in the form of fertilizer, manure and compost. More fertilizer and organic matter won’t necessarily produce more flowers or produce,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — George Washington knew the value of a good seed: “Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind,” the founding father wrote, “for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved.” University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz agrees, especially when…
Read Full Article JACKSON, Mo — Beautiful flower gardens begin with the right bedding plants, says Donna Aufdenberg, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Before heading to the garden center, research what plants do well in your area, Aufdenberg says. Also consider whether your gardening space is sunny or shady. Aufdenberg has more tips: Aufdenberg and other MU Extension…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few things match the culinary delight of fresh peas from the family garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Peas are tastiest immediately after being picked, before too much of the sugar converts to starch. For the same reason, peas that mature in cool weather are tastier than those harvested…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Dahlias, the national flower of Mexico, burst with fiestas of colors in late summer and early autumn when other flowers begin to fade. These easy-to-grow annuals are popular choices for cut gardens or the backdrop of borders, says Kelly McGowan, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Plant dahlias once the danger of frost…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — While spring-blooming bulbs get much of our attention in the spring, flowering trees shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the best trees for spring color is the adaptable eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). What do they look like? Eastern redbuds are small (20-30 feet tall) trees that have short trunks and spreading branches that…
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Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — Found in rich, moist woodlands, trillium is an easily identified, distinct plant and flower. As the name suggests, the number three is closely tied to the species. Trillium is a unique plant given it does not technically have above-ground stems or leaves. What we identify as leaves are morphologically bracts or modified…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — April is the season of new beginnings, especially for plant lovers. Outdoors, spring-flowering bulbs, shrubs and trees dot the landscape. Indoors, seasonal plants enliven and brighten dreary rooms, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulips are harbingers of spring, with their foliage emerging from the soil…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — As the winter’s chill lingers into spring, the itch to get out in our yards has never seemed more compelling. One of the ritual tasks performed by many homeowners in the spring is applying weed-and-feed products to their lawns. Contained within these products is a pre-emergent herbicide to combat germinating weed seeds…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension is offering free biosecurity workshops in April and May on how to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks in livestock and poultry operations, including backyard flocks. In a press release, Teng Lim, MU Extension agricultural engineer and a member of the MU Biosecurity Team, said “The importance of…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — Doyle Equipment Manufacturing Company, an American-made, family-owned manufacturer of dry fertilizer handling equipment, is having a “Doyle Difference” event from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at 1 Jack Doyle Industrial Drive off U.S. Route 61. This open house and career showcase aims to demonstrate how the company stands apart from other…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri researchers are tracking the invasive longhorned tick, which causes weight loss, lost pregnancies and even death in cattle. Researchers from the MU College of Veterinary Medicine found the tick on a Linn County pasture in August 2022. The finding marks the northernmost appearance of the tick in Missouri. It…
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Read Full Article GALLATIN, Mo. — Missouri’s unpredictable spring weather makes it tough to decide when to apply preemergent herbicides on lawns, says Manoj Chhetri, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Preemergent herbicides, a form of chemical weed control, prevent germinated weed seedlings from growing. Preemergents must be applied at the right time of year to be effective, says…
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