Markets & Ag
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…
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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…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Dry weather and short pastures have reduced forage supplies, prompting livestock producers to ponder “could have, would have, should have” scenarios, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. Producers should try to match their herd needs to anticipated forage supplies, Meusch says. This requires planning before a drought. Many factors…
Read Full Article WEST PLAINS, Mo. — Low supplies of hay make feeding cattle a challenge. Elizabeth Picking, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in southwestern Missouri, sees the effects of severe drought in her area – dwindling hay supplies, poor-quality hay, high prices and ponds going dry. Under these conditions, cattle producers need to be more…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nitrates and prussic acid build up in forages to levels dangerous to livestock during drought. Livestock face severe illness and even death after eating affected forages, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Jamie Gundel. Nitrates tend to concentrate in the bottom third of the plant. It shows in the plant’s stem and…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Farmers, livestock owners and gardeners across the state report that blister beetles are appearing in large numbers this summer, says Pat Miller, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist. Blister beetles produce a toxin that can harm livestock. The toxin, called cantharidin, can cause animals to become sick and even die. Cantharidin is…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — I’ve been there. It is late fall and there is a hard freeze about to hit. A wise gardener once warned leaving a hose connected to a spigot during a hard freeze could lead to disaster. As water freezes, it expands. Any water trapped in the nozzle or spigot could expand to…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Drought throughout much of Missouri has renewed interest in how to price silage. An updated University of Missouri Extension publication looks at silage costs and revenues. Given current corn and input prices, MU Extension economists Ray Massey and Joe Horner say farmers should reconsider long-standing rules of thumb for pricing. Massey and…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Northern Missouri has received plenty of rain, and dairy producers there are hopeful about making a silage pile, while those in the state’s southern counties are looking at options as drought conditions and oppressive heat have taken hold. “There’s a lot to consider as a dairy farmer during times of high heat…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Continued drought combined with high temperatures can have devastating effects on fish ponds. During a drought, pond waters can drop to dangerous levels, increasing aquatic plant growth, decreasing water quality and stressing fish, making them more vulnerable to disease and death, says Bob Pierce, University of Missouri Extension fisheries and wildlife state…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — What is a watershed? No matter where you live, you are in a watershed. All of Illinois, minus that sliver of land bordering Lake Michigan, is in the Mississippi River Watershed. But we can break down this massive watershed into more local streams and rivers. For instance, I grew up in Adams…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Dry soil conditions can significantly reduce the life span of valuable landscape trees. “Because they are difficult and expensive to replace, your trees need attention during and after periods of drought,” says University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist Hank Stelzer in a press release. Most of a tree’s active roots are…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Turnips drew national attention during the presidency of native Missourian Harry S. Truman. “Evidently, the congressional session of 1948 was a particularly argumentative one, with the GOP-dominated Congress refusing to pass any of President Truman’s initiatives,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein in a press release. In response, the president…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Now is the time to transplant one of America’s most popular flowers, the iris. Although irises can be transplanted at any time, they do best when established in the landscape from August to mid-October, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Irises are relatively easy to grow. They need at least…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo — Extreme heat affects plants differently than humans. With triple-digit temperatures this summer, grain crop growers should understand how heat affects plants, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. First, human concepts such as “heat index” or “feels like” do not apply to plants, Wiebold says. People and plants feel and react…
Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The hummingbird moth is the Superman of the summer flower garden. This supersized hoverer is a fascinating and perplexing pollinator, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and entomologist Tamra Reall. With a span of 2-6 inches, the moth looks like a miniature hummingbird. Its wings beat rapidly as it hovers over…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension will host free strip trial scouting schools throughout the state from late July through mid-August. Mandy Bish, MU Extension Integrated pest management coordinator, will lead the four schools, which she says will vary slightly by region. Topics include an overview of the Missouri Strip Trial program and 2018-21 foliar fungicide…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Many years ago, when the emerald ash borer had just arrived in northern Illinois, a colleague came across a flatbed trailer loaded with cut ash trees at a gas station. At that time, Illinois counties confirmed with EAB had a quarantine that restricted moving ash wood outside of the county. Most Extension…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — One and one quarter inch. That’s how much rain corn plants need each week in July and August to maintain rapid growth and produce the best possible yields. Mother Nature has not been kind to Missouri’s corn crop this year, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. One indication is the…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Pat Guinan, associate extension professor of climatology with University of Missouri Extension, says “it’s not a good situation” for agriculture in the southern two-thirds of Missouri where scant rainfall and high temperatures have led to worsening drought. The ample moisture in northern Missouri ends abruptly where drought conditions begin in central through…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — The summer of 2012 saw my first year as an Extension horticulture educator. It also was one of the driest years on record. Illinois saw massive shortages of rainfall that year, complete with water restrictions, loss of crops and the demise of many ornamental landscapes. It was a summer that will be…
Read Full Article MENDON, Ill. — The Adams County Beef Producers, along with the Adams County Market Animal Sale Committee, will have its 22nd annual market animal sale on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. The evening will begin with a complimentary dinner for buyers, served from 5 p.m. until sale time at 6 p.m. All…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — A variety of insects will feed on squash. One of the more troublesome is the squash vine borer. If you’ve grown squash and had a runner or two start wilting, there’s a good chance you’ve had an encounter with squash vine borer. Squash vine borers will feed on both summer and winter…
Read Full Article BAYLIS, Ill. — The Orr Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, 37804 State Highway 104, will be the site of an agronomy field day from 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 20. The event will begin the University of Illinois Orr Crop Science shop with wagon tours starting at 9 a.m. Various presentation will be made outdoors through…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture will host free cover crop workshops in late July at four locations throughout the state. These one-day events are for farmers, landowners, those in the ag industry, conservation staff and anyone else interested in learning more about cover crops for their region, said Rob Myers, an…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Youths can learn to scout for weeds, diseases and insects in crops July 19 at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Farm. Missouri 4-H Crop Scouting Day is for students ages 11 to 18. “Much of the day will focus on teaching and hands-on training,” said MU Extension weed specialist Mandy Bish in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardening has many rewards, says David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. In a press release, Trinklein said, “One of them is the satisfaction of sharing your plant knowledge with others. The MU Extension Master Gardener program is designed to do just that. Its motto, ‘Helping others learn to…
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Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Rose rosette is a devastating disease of roses. There is no cure. Infected rose bushes should be removed from the landscape and destroyed, said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. The disease first appeared on wild multiflora roses, which are considered a noxious weed in many states, including Missouri.…
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Read Full Article QUINCY — Titan International, Inc. recently kicked off its second annual “Flags Over Harvest” campaign to support American farmers and their commitment to buying American-made Titan and Goodyear® farm tires. Building on the success of last year’s campaign, Titan is giving away a free American flag for farmers to display on their equipment during harvest season.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Some gardeners consider waterlilies to be the ultimate challenge. Many admire them but few grow them, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Though waterlilies may appear exotic and fragile, they are tough and durable, Trinklein said. “Once established, waterlilies flower well into late summer and provide an exotic addition to…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Flowering stems of firecracker penstemon pop with color and add a burst of red flowers to landscapes in summer. Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) is just one of about 270 species of penstemon, also known as beardtongue. “Its showy stamens protrude from the flower and resemble a hairy tongue,” said Michele Warmund, University…
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Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Dry conditions continue to intensify across Missouri, especially the southern half of the state, according to the June 30 U.S. Drought Monitor map. “June was overall a hotter-than-average-month for Missouri, averaging about 2 degrees above normal, and it was also a dry month for most locations,” said Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Extension…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Fourth of July holiday often includes parades, barbeques, and fireworks. Fireworks often fill the night sky with their colorful, albeit fleeting displays. The fireworks don’t have to be restricted to the Fourth, though. Whether it be their color, flower shape, or name, a number of plants can add some “fireworks” to…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Buyers and sellers who need an estimate of the value of a piece of farmland may not always find it feasible to get an appraisal, particularly one that reflects the land’s historical value needed to calculate taxes and settle estates. University of Missouri Extension offers a publication and spreadsheet that give estimated…
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Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri’s 2022 Pest Management Field Day is Thursday, July 7, at the MU Bradford Research Farm, at 4968 Rangeline Road, about eight miles east of Columbia. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with opening remarks soon after 8 a.m. Tour wagons will depart by 8:30 a.m. MU Extension state weed…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Challenging weather has forced Missouri farmers to make difficult decisions on whether to replant crops because of sparse stands or delayed planting. A newly revised University of Missouri Extension guide, “Corn and Soybean Replant Decisions,” gives farmers a step-by-step procedure to estimate the financial aspect of replanting, says Ray Massey, co-author of…
Read Full Article JACKSON, Mo — Both gardeners and their plants need extra care when it’s hot outside, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg. She reminds gardeners to take care of themselves first so they can tend to gardens and flowerbeds. Consider gardening in the early morning and late evening to avoid high temperatures and harsh…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Picking a tree for a windbreak is a big decision. A windbreak protects a home from the constant Illinois wind and blowing snow. With this important job, you want the trees that make up your windbreak to be strong and healthy for as long as possible. To help in making that decision…
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Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Summer is a time for enjoying fresh fruit and vegetables and outdoor picnics. Don’t let food safety mistakes spoil the fun. Food safety doesn’t begin in the kitchen, or even the market, says Londa Nwadike, extension food safety specialist for the University of Missouri and Kansas State University. In a press…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension economists urge farmers to sign up for the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture. The deadline to sign up to receive a census form is June 30. Sign up at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. MU Extension economist Ryan Milhollin says federal, state and local governments as well as agribusinesses, researchers, trade associations and others use…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE — One of the most exciting times of the year is the first appearance of small flashing yellow lights in the evenings. The arrival of fireflies or lightning bugs is a sure sign that summer has arrived. Fireflies are one of the few insects that people don’t actively try to kill. However, in many places, people…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners with property prone to flooding and nutrient runoff can enroll in Illinois’ reopened land conservation program. The Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, is one of the oldest and…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri roadsides, hillsides and pastures are decorated with white spring flowers, but those flowers are poison hemlock. This weed is highly toxic to humans and animals, according to University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Poison hemlock is one of the first weeds to green up in spring and grows six…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri’s Pest Monitoring Network offers free text alerts to notify farmers when insects are active in specific locations, says MU Extension entomologist Kevin Rice. The six key insects currently affecting agricultural crops are Japanese beetle, brown marmorated stink bug, black cutworm, corn earworm, fall armyworm and true armyworm. In late May, specialists…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Bearing fruit ranging in color from red, orange and yellow to purple, white and chocolate-black, sweet peppers are the Easter eggs of the vegetable garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Like potato and tomato, sweet pepper is a member of the nightshade family. Sweet peppers are easy to establish…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few flowers bring more late-summer gladness than gladiolas, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Their colorful flowers are known botanically as spikes. Individual flowers on the spike are called florets. “Glads are somewhat unique in that the florets on the spikes all point in the same direction,” Trinklein said in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Whether you are a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kansas City Royals, show your true colors in a baseball-themed garden this summer, says Michele Warmund, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. For Cardinals fans, some of the easy-to-grow bedding plants with red flowers that perform best in full sun include…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Hold on to your hats! It is windy here in Illinois. Wind can be destructive to homes and landscapes, plus it can make being outside miserable. This is why many Illinoisians plant windbreaks around their homes to keep that biting wind from causing a drafty house, prevent drifting snow and make being…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cattle producers need to pay attention to heat stress in their operations during this time of year. Unlike many other animals, cattle cannot rid their bodies of heat by sweating. Instead, they pant. Heat-stressed cattle show symptoms such as open-mouth breathing, slobbering and restlessness. Chronic heat stress leads to long-term problems such…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The poppy is one of the most recognized symbols honoring soldiers who have died in combat. The Flanders poppy (Papaver rhoeas), also known as the corn poppy, is a common flower native to Europe. Its seeds often lie dormant for years and spring to life when the soil is disturbed. This happened…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Numbers are dropping for Avian influenza, informally known as avian flu or bird flu, according to Robert Pierce, University of Missouri Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist. Fewer reports of dead and sick birds point to an end to the current outbreak of avian influenza, Pierce says. Rising summer temperatures will also likely…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — In the 1800s, peonies were one of the few flowers in bloom in late May. After the Civil War, mourners used peonies to adorn the graves of fallen soldiers on Decoration Day, which we now call Memorial Day. The huge, lavish blooms emit a luscious floral perfume that continues to make them…
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