Markets & Ag
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Don’t be intimidated by the the prospect of cooking a big Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not that difficult, even for novice cooks, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. First, make sure you have enough bird, says Tammy Roberts. If you’re hosting a large group, get at least one pound of whole…
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QUINCY — Plat books are a reference tool for landowners and business owners. They serve as essential guides for agriculture, land development, hunting, real estate, utilities, municipal government and more. The latest edition, the 2025 Adams County Land Atlas and Plat Book, is now available with the Adams County Bicentennial logo on the front cover. The…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us start planning our holiday meals. While turkey, cranberries and pumpkins may get most of the attention, herbs also play an important role in our Thanksgiving meals. Herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley and chives provide flavor and a pleasing aroma to our meals. They can also…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Squash usually takes a back seat to sweet potato, cranberry and pumpkin in modern-day Thanksgiving meals. Yet squash is rich in both history and nutrition, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. The Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe members enjoyed squash at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 in Plymouth colony. The…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the autumn leaves fall from our trees, the trunk and branching structure become more prominent and visible. This transformation can add new dimensions and interest to a landscape, but it can also draw our attention to tree health challenges we might have overlooked in other seasons. As we observe the trees…
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The American Farm Bureau Federation has voted to terminate the membership of Illinois Farm Bureau Federation, effective Dec. 20. The vote came Tuesday from the AFBF board of directors, which met following a meeting with IFB and Country Financial executives in Bloomington, Ill. Country and IFB share the same board of directors and executives. In an email to…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey in a…
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MACOMB, Ill. — If there is one certainty for all humans, it is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when looking at fire or water. Scientists have studied this effect and shown that our brains reduce stress chemicals when we are staring at…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — If a little is good, a lot must be better. That’s often the approach home gardeners take when plants and flowers don’t do well, says University of Missouri Extension soil scientist Manjula Nathan. But adding more fertilizer and topsoil without testing the soil may be a waste of money. It also can…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves in the fall. But leaves allowed to remain on lawns can pack down to form a tight mat that prevents sunlight from reaching the grass, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the potential for…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff celebrates the creepy qualities of some insects and fungi, even after Halloween. For example, many fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps can parasitize insects, turning them into “zombie bugs” that help the fungi reproduce. “They prey most often on beetles, ants, dragonflies and butterflies,” says Althoff. Infected…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are fielding questions about plants that are blooming and leafing out of season. MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly, who serves as the state extension Master Gardener coordinator, says she’s noticed many social media postings about spring-blooming flowers and shrubs, especially irises and lilacs, budding and blooming in…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler, many species of insects will search for places to spend the winter. Depending on the insect, they will seek out a variety of locations, such as in soil, under leaf litter, under tree bark, or even in our homes. One that we…
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Many of you have had a frost or freeze in the past few weeks, but it didn’t do much damage. All of your root-type vegetables, even some above-ground vegetables, survived. To keep them growing, water them so the roots aren’t exposed to the cold air. Draw on paper your garden plan where all your vegetables…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory advises against fall application of anhydrous ammonia anywhere in Missouri. Fall application increases the risk for substantial losses in the period between fall and when the corn needs the nitrogen in June and July. Instead, preplant and side-dress applications to minimize potential…
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GREEN CASTLE, Mo. — The Northeast Missouri Women in Agriculture event scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, will offer fun and facts for women wanting to improve their gardens, forests and farms. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wildflower Grove, 1119 Front, Green Castle. The town is on Missouri Route…
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MILAN, Ill. — The natural process of trees shedding leaves in the fall is the most visible sign of trees preparing for winter dormancy. Shedding leaves is a tree’s way of self-preservation, reducing plant material that require resources that become scarce during the cold days and short daylight of winter. While the rainbow of colors…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — After years of record-breaking farmland prices in Missouri, is stabilization on the horizon? Data from the latest Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey hints at slower growth in Show-Me State farmland values. The annual survey provides valuable insights into farmland values, who is buying and selling, and the factors affecting farmland values now…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The safety of the U.S. pork supply is achieved through biosecurity protocols not only during National Pork Month in October but every day of the year to safeguard animal health, food safety, the environment and the economy. University of Missouri Extension’s Swine Team educates pork producers and workers on safety protocols throughout…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The average Missourian eats 63 pounds of pork each year. “If you’ve thought about supplying pork to Missouri markets but haven’t decided for sure, then Intel for Ag (www.intelforag.org) can help,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension state specialist and Intel for Ag contributor, in a press release. Information posted to…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The best time to apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote fall forage growth has passed, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. Applying now does not promote growth and may increase the risk of forages accumulating nitrate. The recommended time to apply is late summer, preferably before Aug. 15,…
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The cooler temperatures are here to stay, and we’re not getting much rain as we get into the middle of October. But with watering, I still am getting vegetables from our garden and the community garden at the Father Buhman Center. The fall garden in raised beds will be ready in a few days. As…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — You aren’t the only one getting cozy for fall. While you are pulling out the flannels, insects are looking for a place to be snug as a bug in a rug for the winter. “Over the next few weeks, it is critical to ensure your home is properly sealed to avoid insect…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Autumn is a time for … life? This may seem perplexing, as we often link fall with plants dying, wildlife migrating and us retreating indoors. However, this is when conservationists managing prairies get excited to sow new life. Managing prairies, forests or wetlands often involves battling nonnative invasive plants via cutting, pulling,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Big changes are coming for private pesticide applicator training next year. University of Missouri Extension private pesticide applicator training coordinator Rusty Lee says extension specialists will hold workshops across the state after Jan. 1 to train those who apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) on owned or rented property. New federal rules change…
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MRN THIS WEEK: QFD CHIEF STEVE SALRIN
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