Markets & Ag
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cute critters by day, gardeners’ worst enemies by night. Most gardeners know the frustration of having a beautiful garden decimated by wildlife, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In a press release, Trinklein said “Our four-legged ‘friends’ can be more formidable garden foes than insects, diseases and weeds. Because of…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers have a new tool to alert them to insects, crop diseases and other important information from University of Missouri Extension specialists. MU Extension specialists launched the Mizzou Crop and Pest Text Alert system in response to their clients’ desire for an easy way to get important, timely information in the…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — With dry weather and short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows. Give careful thought to which grass eaters go first, says Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist. Under drought stress, identifying those cows becomes urgent.…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Peonies are a common sight in many yards. They are typically grown for their showy blooms in the spring but also have attractive foliage that can act as a backdrop in landscape beds. While peonies are relatively problem-free, a few diseases, powdery mildew and leaf blotch, show up fairly regularly on plants…
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COLUMBIA, Mo.— The flickering of fireflies signals the beginning of warm summer nights. Although these common beetles evoke a sense of wonder for many people, they are simply performing a luminescent courtship ritual that has evolved over countless years, says University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist Michele Warmund. About 2,200 are known species of fireflies…
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MILAN, Ill. — I hope I am not the only one with a plant they have always been aware of yet never really paid attention to. For me, that is rhubarb. I recall my grandmother having a stand of rhubarb, and I am sure she made rhubarb pie, but that is where my memory stops.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension agronomists are reporting thin pasture stands and low yields statewide in the wake of re-emerging dry conditions. In a press release, Terry Hallleran, an agronomist in Hickory County in southwestern Missouri, said, “Most barns are empty. Most fence rows are empty. Farmers are getting nervous.” Valerie Tate in…
Read Full Article HILLSBORO, Mo. — During drought, proper watering can help plants survive dry spells, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly. Kelly gives 10 tips to help your plants survive lack of precipitation. Kelly recommends against watering edible plants with water caught in rain barrels, which can contain contaminants from roofing materials and birds. Use…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — “In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row …. ” So begins “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian poet and military physician. In a press release, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein said, “The hauntingly eloquent words of McCrae helped to…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — According to Greek mythology, a golden-winged goddess named Iris traveled on a rainbow to bring messages from gods to mortals. Legend has it that colorful flowers sprung up at the end of the rainbow wherever she stepped. In a press release, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein said “Today, the flower…
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QUINCY — The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists welcomed 21 volunteers to its ranks on May 16. Adams County will benefit from 13 new Master Naturalists, Hancock County with four, Pike County with two and Schuyler and Peoria counties each with one new volunteer. Students within the class successfully completed nine weeks of training…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri farmers who check rain gauges daily can help other farmers across the nation by reporting precipitation totals. Tony Lupo, University of Missouri professor of atmospheric science and interim MU Extension climatologist, encourages farmers to be citizen scientists by reporting daily precipitation totals to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network,…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) have been growing in gardens for centuries and remind many of us of our parents’ or grandparents’ gardens. Despite being ‘old-fashioned,’ hollyhocks have had a bit of a resurgence in recent years. Their tall, stately flowers are an impressive sight in the garden. Growing hollyhocks Hollyhocks are native to…
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WEST PLAINS, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension agronomists in south-central, southwestern and northwestern Missouri have reported sightings of true armyworms. In a press release, Sarah Kenyon, MU Extension agronomy specialist in West Plains, said “Farmers should be scouting pastures, wheat and corn fields for true armyworms to avoid damage. Dusk or dawn is the…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Every day I drive up to my house, I am confronted with the neglect of my landscape. Admittedly, I did not cut back my ornamental grasses this spring. At a Memorial Day pool party, the conversation turned to neighbors who don’t cut back their grasses. Everyone agreed, uncut ornamental grasses drove them…
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