Markets & Ag
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Quality landscapes begin with quality topsoil. Topsoil is the top 3-10 inches of the soil. Most surface soils have higher organic matter content than subsoil, but not all surface soil is ideal for gardens or lawns, says Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Extension Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory. The…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Now that May has arrived, many landscapes are full of blooming plants and the buzz of bees. When you mention bees to most people, images of golden-yellow honey bees come to mind. However, there is a lot more to bees than honey bees. In fact, there are over 20,000 bee species worldwide and around 500 species of bees…
Read Full Article FULTON, Mo. — The University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program has announced its upcoming spring sales dates: May 20 in Vienna and Carthage, May 21 in Kingsville, and June 4 in Palmyra. MU’s Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program uses the latest research on health, nutrition, genetics and reproductive science to ensure Missouri producers continue to be national leaders in providing quality…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The University of Illinois Extension in Quincy will hold a six-session Junior Master Gardener and Master Naturalist program on Mondays and Thursdays starting June 6 at John Wood Community College for local youths ages 9-12 to learn about gardening and natural resources through hands-on activities and outdoor investigations. The mission of the Junior Master…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Bat biologists are celebrating the news the number of endangered Indiana bats at Sodalis Nature Preserve has increased almost 20 percent. The bat census at Sodalis, conducted in February 2022, confirms its place as the country’s most important hibernation spot for this species with an estimated 215,296 Indiana bats. Vona Kuczynska, biologist…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Edible blooms give flower power to spring meals, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Edible flowers add nutrition, texture and color to your plate, Warmund says. They can be candied, stir-fried, added to butters, steeped for teas and added to breads, soups, sauces, desserts or salads. Some of the culinary…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Pest control in the garden might conjure images of a season-long battle with bugs, weeds and diseases. But sometimes four-legged “friends” such as deer, rabbits and squirrels can inflict far more damage, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Protecting the garden against famished fauna can be a challenge. “Hunger is…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Once again, wet soils have delayed corn planting throughout Missouri. The USDA’s May 2 Crop Progress and Condition report for the state shows that 27% of intended corn acres is planted – half the five-year average. Southeastern Missouri, the state’s earliest-planted region, has had the greatest delay in corn planting. The most important effect…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Temperatures in the low 90s the week of May 8 combined with intense or recurrent rainfall could result in damage to corn and soybean crops from ponding, saturated soils and flooding, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. Survival of submerged corn and soybean seedlings depends on seed quality, flood duration,…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Interested in an impossible task? Try making dry hay in Missouri in early spring. But baleage can turn spring forage harvest in Missouri into “Mission: Possible.” Baleage is the ensilage of large bales of high-moisture forage, says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. Producers make large round or square bales…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Warmer and drier weather is expected to help farmers make solid planting progress this week. Normally, corn planting advances about 17 percentage points this week to 67 percent complete by May 15, says Martyn Foreman, University of Missouri Extension instructor in agricultural economics. In a press release, Morgan Foreman, University of Missouri…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — High nitrogen prices and concerns about fertilizer supplies have disrupted nitrogen management for the 2022 growing season. In a press release, John Lory, University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist, said, “For corn, there were many reports of anhydrous ammonia being applied earlier than normal and that more nitrogen was applied in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The annual display provided by dogwood trees in the Ozark woodlands is a spectacular scene. University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein said in a press release, “Inconspicuous for most of the year, these diminutive denizens of our forests outdo their towering neighbors with spectacular exhibitions of color before most other species…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Producers can ease the burden of rising fertilizer prices by making good use of “free fertilizer” on pastures through management-intensive grazing. “When cattle rotate through small paddocks, they distribute their manure. This manure is ‘free fertilizer,’” said John Lory, University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist, in a press release. “Cattle can…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Our landscapes are more than flowers and trees. Within a natural landscape, you will find multiple layers starting at the ground level and moving all the way up into the canopy of the trees. Plants will intermingle creating communities based on the conditions present such as shade, heavy clay soil, or a…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farm income appears on pace for another record year, according to John Kruse, associate research and extension professor in agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri. In a press release, Kruse said, “It’s not often when there are back-to-back record years for Missouri farm income, but the data suggests…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – While not yet detected in Missouri, spotted lanternfly remains a concern for vineyards, certain trees and specialty crops as it continues to spread west. If spotted lanternfly reaches Missouri, early detection and insecticide control measures will be key to reducing the economic damage, says Dean Volenberg, viticulture extension professor with the University…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Our days are getting longer and warmer, and many gardens are awash in color from spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils and tulips. Unfortunately, the blooms will eventually fade, leaving many of us wondering what we can do to help make sure that they are ready to go again next year. Leave the leaves…
Read Full Article BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — April showers bring May flowers and mosquitoes. With mosquitoes come not just itchy bites but the risk of diseases such as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, Zika virus and yellow fever, among others, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and entomologist Tamra Reall. Prevention The best way to avoid…
Read Full Article CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Lance Woolam from Central Adams Firecrackers 4-H Club was an award winner at the Illinois 4-H state awards program on April 9 at the I Hotel and Conference Center. Woolam also is a member of the Adams County 4-H Federation and Adams County STEM SPIN Club. Woolam was awarded the Emerald Leadership…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Killing common annual weeds in winter wheat may not be a good financial decision, especially when input costs are high, says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Winter wheat is one of the most competitive crops planted, Bradley says. He offers these guidelines based on research from MU and other…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — There’s still time to apply to the Missouri Century Farm Program. The deadline has been extended a month to June 1. If your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1922, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. To qualify, the same family must have owned…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Nearly 98 percent of Missouri’s pastureland is tall fescue infected with an endophyte that can cause fescue toxicosis in grazing livestock. Fescue toxicosis lowers reproduction rates, milk production, gain and weaning weights. It also causes health problems, including lameness and heat stress. By replacing toxic fescue with other forages, producers eliminate animal…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Now that we’ve hit April, the gardening season is starting to ramp up. For many of us, that means getting back into the garden and weeding, replacing mulch and planting and dividing plants. If you don’t have a lot of space or don’t have anywhere to put plants in the ground and…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new partnership between the University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security and MU Extension will make it easier to access information about local and regional food systems and food security. In a press release, Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator, said, “The goal of the partnership, currently called the Community Food Network,…
Read Full Article BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — As temperatures rise, humans and animals become meal tickets for ticks. Heartland disease, an emerging infectious disease first found in northwestern Missouri in 2009, is another reason to take precautions against ticks, says University of Missouri horticulture specialist and entomologist Tamra Reall. Heartland disease symptoms include fever, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Easter lily used for spring decorations can provide beauty and fragrance for another season. After blooming ends, plant Easter lilies outside as soon as the ground can be worked.. The following year, they will bloom in June and have a sweet fragrance. Select a sunny site with well-drained soil. Plant the…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — The garden center shelves are bursting with bags of lawn seed, but is it the right time to sow that seed? It doesn’t hurt to overseed in the spring but there are a few reasons why to wait until late summer to early fall: The soil is cold, so germination is not…
Read Full Article MACOMB, lll. — In all walks of life there are do’s and don’ts, but in the world of teaching horticulture, a very rare word to use is “should.” I don’t like to use the word should. The word “should” tends to turn people off when receiving advice. When people call the Extension office, I make…
Read Full Article NOVELTY, Mo. — The University of Missouri Extension will host regional Farm, Family & Me conferences to provide educational and networking opportunities to women in agriculture. “This year, we want to offer women the opportunity to get together in smaller groups with the convenience of a one-day event,” Karisha Devlin, MU Extension agricultural specialist, said…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Having grown up on a farm in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks, Jerry Richards was prepared for droughts, snowstorms and torrential rains. He wasn’t prepared for feral hogs. Richards, a retired high school teacher, has a cow/calf operation on the same 500-acre Century Farm where he was raised. He’d heard feral…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – For two years, shoppers have seen how supply chain problems can shock the food system. Initially triggered by the pandemic, these problems have persisted due to labor shortages, transportation bottlenecks and now international conflict. “Supply chain issues have really hit home for consumers,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — For many of us, the desire to start gardening gets stronger and stronger as we near spring. Seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Despite the advantages and relative ease, there are a few things that can go wrong when you start your own seeds. Why do…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — We often spend more time inside looking outside during the Illinois winter. Perhaps one of the most popular activities for many of us is watching the birds. Gazing across my backyard this past winter, I learned something fascinating about the relationship between blue jays and oak trees. My journey of observation began…
Read Full Article BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — You can have a thriving lawn without hiring an expensive service. “Managing your lawn doesn’t have to be complicated,” University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Justin Keay said. “If you understand some of the basic principles and don’t mind putting in a little sweat equity, you can have a beautiful lawn.” A…
Read Full Article Provided by the Adams County Farm Bureau.
Read Full Article Provided by the Adams County Farm Bureau.
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Sunflowers are a great addition to the home garden. Not only do they provide colorful flowers, but they also can be a potential food source for people and wildlife. With various shapes, sizes, and bloom colors, sunflowers are an easy plant to incorporate into your landscape. Despite typically being grown as ornamental…
Read Full Article PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard a report on the Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility and the Workforce Development Center Expansion Project during a meeting Wednesday at the Southeast Education Center. The Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility is in the final stages of fundraising and construction and will open for classes…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and everything green, including leprechauns and shamrocks. While shamrock is a well-known symbol of good luck, another interesting plant associated with good fortune is bells of Ireland, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. An annual in the mint family, bells…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty-eight Missouri 4-H members competed Feb. 19 in the 4-H state meats judging contest on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the contest gave competitors the opportunity to develop their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities. Results – Junior division…
Read Full Article URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension recently welcomed Amy Lefringhouse to serve as a natural resources, environment and energy educator in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties in Western Illinois. County Director Shelby Crow says this position involves a partnership with John Wood Community College. “We are proud to serve local residents with expertise and education in specialized areas…
Read Full Article With much fanfare, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a media event at Lincoln University on Feb. 7 to unveil “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.” The new program will provide $1 billion to support America’s climate-smart farmers. When it comes to doling out big bucks very few critical words will be uttered by farm organizations. They get it: Don’t…
Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More low-income families in Missouri and Kansas can double their buying power this year when purchasing fruits and vegetables. New USDA funding will allow the Mid-America Regional Council to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program in the two states from 80 to 140 locations. The program provides eligible consumers a…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — Winter may be an odd time to read about an insect only seen during the warmer months. Yet, I can’t help but marvel at the architecture of the baldfaced hornet’s nest, which has been revealed in the canopy of trees after leaf drop. This winter, I have seen several baldfaced hornet nests…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The 26th annual Gardener’s Palette all-day conference, offered by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, offers educational sessions for all levels of gardening interest and experience. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. March 5 at the Quincy Senior & Family Resource Center, 639 York. Check-in will begin at…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized eight families with the 2021 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award, and two of them are from northeast Missouri. The Taylor family of Lewis County and the Bross family of Marion County each represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H.…
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