Markets & Ag
OSCEOLA, Mo. — The benefits of spring lambing and management tips are part of a new University of Missouri Extension publication for sheep producers. In a press release, David Brown, MU Extension small-ruminant specialist, said, “Spring lambing has been found to be more profitable than fall and winter lambing. The abundance of spring forage lowers…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Soybean gall midge is appearing about 10 days earlier than usual in Nebraska crops, says University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension crop protection and cropping systems specialist Justin McMechan. That could spell trouble for Missouri soybean growers as well. First found in 2019 in Missouri, it is in the state’s far northwestern counties of…
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — While no cases have been reported in Illinois, federal agencies confirmed the detection of H5N1 influenza virus in dairy herds in eight states across the U.S. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are working closely to monitor the situation and are jointly coordinating prevention…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Did you notice people’s lawns getting a little long last May? No Mow May has become a popular way to help pollinators. No Mow May began in the United Kingdom in 2019 as a way to help struggling pollinator populations. The idea is that if people don’t mow their lawns during May,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. —Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a good, productive grass to include in forage mixtures in the Ozarks region, but having too much of this grass can limit production. Monitoring the amount of Kentucky bluegrass in the forage stand can be helpful to producers. This perennial cool-season grass is identified by the narrow, V-shaped…
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SALEM, Mo. — With cattle prices at record high levels and many forecasts projecting relatively high prices for the next couple of years, some producers feel they can do no wrong. In times like these, even less-productive cows and mismanaged calves are likely to make a profit. High prices are a welcome change for cattle…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Director of Veterinary Extension Craig Payne urges cattle producers to watch for signs of disease associated with Theileria orientalis (ikeda), a protozoal organism recently detected in Missouri. This organism, which primarily affects cattle, causes disease by infecting red blood cells. The immune system attacks the infected cells, resulting in…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri dairy farmers are urged to protect their dairy herds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus as the USDA and other federal agencies investigate an illness among dairy cows in seven other states (Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and North Carolina). The illnesses in those states have been confirmed…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — April is National Gardening Month and a good time to plant a garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Whether strictly for food production or beautifying the home landscape, gardening is one of the most popular activities among households in the United States. For those who have lacked the motivation…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Cicada-mania has been building to almost mythical levels in 2024. Nearly every story on my news feed references this historic event about to occur in Illinois. Despite the media frenzy, there are still lots of questions about the upcoming cicada emergence. So, I might as well hop on this cicada train answering…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension is recruiting farmers for a project aimed at improving the productivity of forage-based operations in areas dominated by tall fescue grass. Participating operations would work with extension specialists to implement grassland management practices that are known to improve productivity and provide environmental benefits, according to Harley Naumann, MU…
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I pray everyone had a blessed Easter while remembering that Jesus died to save us all. The weather is beginning to be more like spring with much-needed rain and warmer days. Hopefully, many of you have done some garden planting. In the community garden behind the Father Buhman Center in Shelbina, Mo. carrots, beets, lettuce,…
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — After three years of research, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialists are learning how to successfully grow lavender in Missouri. The popularity of lavender’s fresh scent has endured since ancient times. Cleopatra reportedly used it to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. By the 16th century, people were using it to ward…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been blooming throughout Illinois. Over the years, it has been a popular tree to plant, especially in residential areas. Trees produce numerous white flowers in the spring and have attractive glossy leaves that will turn a brilliant red-orange in the fall. However, they are also becoming increasingly…
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TROY, Mo. — Farmers: it’s time to put away the pocket protector. Your phone can do the work of dozens of seed corn pens and notebooks, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Charles Ellis. By pointing your smartphone camera at a QR code, you can instantly link to webpages. Liken it to a…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Perhaps no plant brightens a shady area more than hosta, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The hardy perennial that thrives in shade is low-maintenance and easy to grow. “It is little wonder, then, why hosta was selected by the National Garden Bureau as its Perennial of the Year for…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley lists two weeds to watch in 2024. Knotroot foxtail, like yellow foxtail, has a short, hair-like ligule and a typical foxtail-like seedhead. Unlike yellow foxtail, however, this species has short, knotty rhizomes. The invasive perennial is also known as bristle grass. Knotroot foxtail is…
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MILAN, Ill. — Although we have been taught colors since before we began attending school, colors can be challenging and complicated. There is so much variety it may seem overwhelming. I think of the wall of paint color swatches at the hardware store. You may recall entire sections are devoted to shades of blue or…
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MACOMB, Ill. — I should not be writing this. The voice in my head says to keep my mouth shut. Yet, the other voice says, maybe someone will find this information helpful. That is after all what we are supposed to do at Illinois Extension, make sure the knowledge and research do not stay locked…
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JACKSON, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension specialists have the buzz on how the April 8 solar eclipse will stop bee activity for a few minutes in parts of Missouri. MU Extension agronomist and beekeeper Travis Harper says the upcoming eclipse offers a buzzworthy opportunity to learn about solar eclipses and apiculture – the science…
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JACKSON, Mo. — The warmer weather has prompted alfalfa weevil larvae to start feeding early which means growers should be scouting the crop. Anthony Ohmes, University of Missouri Extension agronomy field specialist, says now through April is the time to walk alfalfa fields to look for larvae activity. “The economic threshold for alfalfa weevils is…
Read Full Article January 17, 2025
MUDDY RIVER MORNINGS: Jan. 17
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