Markets & Ag
GALENA, Mo — With a shortage of standing forage for cattle and the low availability of hay, it is more important than ever this winter to reduce waste when feeding hay. Hay waste is normal, but University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg says it can be controlled and minimized. There can be considerable…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — As the growing season draws to an end, temperatures cool, woody plants prepare for dormancy and we enjoy the last blooms of the season. For many of us, autumn also means sniffles and sneezes caused by seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies are a reaction to airborne pollen entering the body and being misidentified…
Read Full Article CARTHAGE, Ill. — Kristin Huls returned in September to Illinois Extension as a 4-H youth development educator serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties. She will become a resource for youths in western Illinois and develop research-based educational programs focused on youth development, leadership, college, and career readiness. In a press release, Extension county…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will host eight regional seminars Nov. 4 through Dec. 8 to update agricultural lenders on four factors that will affect lending decisions and client success in 2023 Commodity price outlook. Current and proposed government policies. International trade. Farmland values and rental rates. In a press release, Ben Brown,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Increased volatility in prices of farm inputs such as fertilizer is likely here to stay well into 2023, says Ben Brown, University of Missouri senior research associate for the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. U.S. prices for fertilizer stabilized in June and then declined in July and August, but Brown says it…
Read Full Article Provided by the Adams County Farm Bureau.
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — If you think autumn is the time to put away your gardening tools for the year, think again. It’s bulb-planting time. In a press release, David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension, said “Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths won’t greet you in the spring if they’re not planted in the fall.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — According to some traditions, apple bobbing can foretell love and heartbreak. University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund says bobbing for apples was central to courting in Great Britain in days gone by. Each floating apple represented a potential husband. With one successful try, a young woman was destined to marry her…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ben Franklin’s adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could be gardeners’ theme song for November. Gardeners should close the curtain on this season and begin looking forward to the next, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Next year’s success is influenced greatly by this…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — This past spring, I found myself at a friend’s house enjoying some barbeque on the back deck. He remarked on the issue they had with ground squirrels burrowing all over their yard and landscape beds. Later in the year, a phone call came into the office of a landscaper confounded at what…
Read Full Article PARIS, Mo. — Today’s tight labor market makes it harder for farm employers to compete for workers, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist. Farm laborers work long hours, sometimes in inclement weather. Workers may need diverse skills to fill roles such as truck driver, mechanic, nutritionist, forage specialist, veterinarian, babysitter and weather…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we transition from summer to fall and the temperatures start cooling off, many of us will be spending time outdoors getting our landscapes ready for winter. While enjoying our time outdoors, we often encounter various insets we may not see or notice earlier in the growing season. One such insect is…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Drought continues to plague growers and livestock producers in parts of Missouri, especially in the southwest corner of the state, raising concerns about feed availability. “It’s a perfect storm of high fertilizer prices, reduced fertilization of pastures lending to lower hay yields and drought in the southern half of Missouri,” Eric Bailey,…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Growing up and working in my parent’s garden, I often remember the early spring when the tree buds are opening, the grass is greening up, and birds are singing. Suddenly, the roar of our massive Honda tiller broke through the serene spring day as it chewed and turned the earth and spewed…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — While we can’t rush Mother Nature, we can give her a gentle nudge by forcing spring bulbs indoors for an early show of color. “That gentle nudge requires planning in fall to induce spring bulbs to flower indoors long before their outdoor counterparts make their appearance,” University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David…
Read Full Article CARTHAGE, Mo. — Spending on houseplants and office plants has flourished in recent years, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Robert Balek. The act of giving houseplants as get-well gifts surged in 2019, and the increase has continued since then, Balek says. According to a 2021 survey by the National Gardening Association, spending on houseplants…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Fall is prime time for harvesting juicy, crunchy fresh apples at their peak of perfection. “While munching on those tasty fall treats, make sure to peruse the nursery catalogs and place an order for apple trees to plant in your own yard,” Michele Warmund, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist, said in a…
Read Full Article JACKSON, Mo. – Nothing spells spring like blooms peeking out from the depths of winter. Planning and planting in fall will reward gardeners with blooms in spring, says Donna Aufdenberg, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. During a recent MU Extension Integrated Pest Management Town Hall, Aufdenberg gave tips on how gardeners can buy and plant…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Fall is the time to harvest, cure and store ornamental gourds, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Gourds are thought to be among the first domesticated plant species, dating back to as early as 13,000 B.C,” Trinklein said in a press release. “Through the years, dried gourds served many purposes…
Read Full Article STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – It is pumpkin time, when people celebrate the versatile vegetable that marks seasons, holidays and traditions. This member of the squash family has been grown in North America for thousands of years, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Katie Kammler. Some pumpkins are kitchen workhorses, lending color, fiber and flavor to…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are starting to cool off. We can start seeing changes in the landscape. Many of our landscape plants are starting to look a little ragged this time of year, while others, like goldenrod and asters, are in their full glory. Before we know it,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Right after soybean harvest is the time to test fields for soybean cyst nematode, the No. 1 pathogen of soybean in the United States. Sampling in soybean stubble in 2022 can help with 2023 planting decisions, says Mandy Bish, University of Missouri Extension specialist and interim director of the SCN Diagnostics clinic, which can…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — A parent fed up with their child’s persistent use of technology (internet, video games, tablet, you name it) has decided to pull the plug on their sedentary habits. They strip the devices from their child’s hands and throw them outside and say “Go play!” The child looks around. Before them lays their…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Take care of the farm and the farm will take care of you. That’s common advice handed down from one generation to the next. But farmers often face stress that the farm can’t take care of, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. Farmers tend to put their…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch reminds Missouri farmers and their families during Suicide Prevention Month that MU Extension has resources for farmers and ranchers. Suicide Prevention Month, observed in September, is a good time to talk with rural family and community members about increased risks of suicide,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri farmers and rural families seeking mental health support can turn to the new AgriStress Helpline. Farmers and ranchers take pride in their ability to handle challenges and are often reluctant to seek help, particularly for mental health issues, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. The goal of…
Read Full Article TAYLOR, Mo. — It started as an ordinary Father’s Day with plans for a family get-together celebrating the beloved head of the family. Little did Lacey Miller know that it would be the last Father’s Day that her father would spend on earth. Miller’s father, Marion County farmer Ralph Griesbaum, died in a tractor rollover…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — More than 70 Missouri farmers since 2016 asked for help to install tractor rollover protection devices from a national program that provides rebates, but the waiting list is long, and only one Missouri farmer has received assistance so far. University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch says this is…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mowing is a leading cause of farm tractor rollover accidents, which, in turn, are a leading cause of farm fatalities. Smaller utility or garden-type tractors equipped with deck or belly mowers are also susceptible to rollovers and tip overs on hilly terrain. A dreaded chore for some, a joy for others, mowing…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo.— Many consider the farm an ideal place to raise children, but with its idyllic charm comes dangers, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. About three children die from an agriculture-related incident each day, according to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. National Farm…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — More people die while farming each year than while serving as police officers, firefighters or other emergency responders. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a rate of 23 work-related deaths per 100,000 workers in the agricultural industry. That is seven times higher than the national average for workers. Fall harvest –…
Read Full Article NAUVOO, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension will offer a rainscaping demonstration from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at the corner of Hyde and Hotchkiss in historic Nauvoo. A group photo will be taken at approximately 7 p.m. Twenty-five community members and leaders who have participated in the rainscaping workshop series will be planting a…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — For home lawns, Missouri weather is like Goldilocks’ porridge. For some types of grass it’s too hot and for others it’s too cold. In Missouri, the hard part is finding a grass for which the weather is “just right.” There is no one-size-fits-all grass for Missouri lawns, say University of Missouri Extension…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Have you read some of the headlines lately concerning monarch butterflies? “Monarch Butterflies are Thriving!” “Monarch Butterflies are Endangered!” Both headlines (or something similar) recently saturated newsfeeds for Americans. Considering these stories came out about two weeks apart, what is a person to think? Are monarch butterflies OK? Are they in peril?…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo — The sunflower’s story begins with a tale of unrequited love. According to Greek mythology, the water nymph Clytie fell in love with the god of the sun, Apollo, who dazzled the earth as he drove his golden chariot across the sky each day. When he rejected Clytie’s affection, it nearly drove her…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we draw nearer to fall, it’s time to start thinking about bringing houseplants back indoors for the winter. Many houseplants are native to tropical an subtropical climates and, while they may do great outdoors during the summer, cannot tolerate our cold temperatures. When the thermometer starts to consistently get below 55…
Read Full Article SEDALIA, Mo. — “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 40 volunteers joined the 2022 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 20 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognized people who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Fall is time for the changing of the guard in flower beds and containers. As some summer flowers shout their last hurrah, others gradually fade into the background. To fill in holes in the landscape, many nurseries and garden centers offer replacement plants such as mums, asters and pansies that will spruce…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic confirmed tar spot in three corn samples collected in the Missouri counties of Lewis and Holt on Aug. 30, according to Peng Tian, the clinic’s lab director. Tar spot of corn is an emerging disease threat. In 2018, yield losses of 20-60 bushels per acre were…
Read Full Article JACKSON, Mo. — As traditional gardening season takes a bow, lasagna gardening makes a grand entrance. Lasagna gardening is no-till, no-dig gardening that uses materials typically thrown away such as kitchen and yard waste, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg. Aufdenberg says lasagna gardening is environmentally friendly and frees the gardener from tilling,…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Spider mites are a common pest on many types of plants. The most commonly encountered species is the two-spotted spider mite. While we often think of them attacking houseplants, particularly during the winter months, they can also be a problem on fruits, vegetables and landscape plants, particularly during hot, dry weather. What…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Each year, I try to write a couple of articles about lawns. Each time I’ve written one of these, I have assumed you, the reader, care about your lawn. Turns out, there are a lot of people who have lawns, that don’t care about having a perfectly manicured turf. You just want to know…
Read Full Article MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Drought in southwestern Missouri calls for long-term and short-term feed plans for beef and dairy herds. University of Missouri Extension state dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton urges producers not to panic as local feed supplies dwindle. There are options to carry herds through winter until spring pastures green. Hamilton and extension specialist…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. – Not only did Western Illinois University senior agriculture major Ashtin Guyer, of Flat Rock, IL, show this year’s Illinois State Fair Grand Champion Market Steer, her entry also created a bidding war between Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and his wife, MK, to purchase her entry, “King,” which ended by matching a fair…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The final segment of University of Missouri Extension’s Specialty Crop Business Management Series begins in September. The webinar series helps new and established farmers learn how to make informed business decisions to become successful, says Juan Cabrera-Garcia, MU Extension state horticulture specialist. “Successful farmers have a better quality of life that creates…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — One way to spruce up a college dormitory room is to add plants, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Dorm rooms can appear a bit bare and dreary, Warmund says, but plants can add color and provide a pleasant atmosphere. “After spending the day in lecture halls, a plant-filled…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois 4-H program recently honored 4-H leaders and volunteers at the Illinois State Fair. Adams County 4-H leader Carolyn Roberts of the Burton Fliers 4-H Club was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her work helping local youths and promoting 4-H in the community. Adams County 4-H officials said Roberts shares…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Ever gone out to pick a peach, only to find it has a large brown, mushy spot? The likely culprit is brown rot. Brown rot (Monilinia spp.) is one of the most common diseases that affects peaches and other stone fruits like nectarines, plums, cherries and apricots. While fruit infections may be…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory recommends applying fall nitrogen in mid-August to cool-season pastures. Despite drought conditions in much of the state, Lory says in a press release, “We need to get nitrogen applied now so we can take full advantage of the rains when they do arrive.”…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Illinois Extension will be the host of a rainscaping workshop in Hancock County. During this series of classes, participants can learn landscape design and management practices that reduce pollution from runoff. This four-part workshop will take place on Sept. 12, 14, 19 and 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 130 Young Street, Nauvoo,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Landowners and renters can learn about farm leases from University of Missouri Extension specialists from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at seven locations across the state. Participants can also attend via Zoom, says Joe Koenen, MU Extension county engagement specialist in agriculture and natural resources and longtime presenter on farm…
Read Full Article Provided by the Adams County Farm Bureau.
Read Full Article SEDALIA, Mo. — Fairgoers can learn how to prevent one of the leading causes of farm deaths and disabilities – tractor rollovers. University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Agriculture will showcase tractor rollover protection at the Missouri State Fair, which runs through Aug. 21. Fairgoers can see interactive demonstrations and videos on rollover…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Twenty-seven 4-H youths and volunteers learned about common Missouri crops, insects, diseases and weeds, as well as pesticide usage and safety at the first Missouri 4-H Crop Scouting Day, July 19 at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Farm near Columbia. Missouri 4-H and MU Extension hosted the event. Demonstrations included weed…
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