Markets & Ag
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A favorite spring flower, the Easter lily, should be kept away from cats. If ingested, it could kill them. The perennial plant’s white, trumpet-like flowers might not sound the warning that all parts of it are highly toxic to felines. Tim Evans, University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist, said even small amounts…
Read Full Article 
The calendar says it is spring, but the weather acts like we can still have several more days of winter. So what can you be doing? I have seen several yards already have been mowed once. I realize many people cut grass short no matter the time of the year. You should allow grass to…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — If you mention the word “lily” to most people, they’ll think of the Easter lily. Although an attractive potted plant, that pure white beauty struggles somewhat in Missouri’s climate if planted outdoors, said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. But don’t lament. There are many gorgeous lily hybrids…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A University of Missouri Extension specialist urges caution among producers in Missouri after a newborn goat in Minnesota recently tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the first case of HPAI in goats in the U.S. “There is no immediate threat to sheep and goat producers in the state of…
Read Full Article 
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — While explaining new requirements in the National Dairy FARM 5.0 program, a University of Missouri Extension specialist told dairy producers to be aware of what may be coming in 2027. At the Missouri Dairy Expo last month in Springfield, Scott Poock said FARM 6.0 will probably require some form of group housing…
Read Full Article 
Hopefully many of you have received some much-needed rain during the last few days. The rain, with the above-normal temperatures, will help many plants start to grow. I have had some questions in the past few days about getting new grass to start to grow. Spring and fall are the best times to start new…
Read Full Article 
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With the arrival of warmer weather in the spring, we start to see signs of new life in our landscapes. Birds begin singing, our landscapes start turning green again, and spring ephemeral plants start to emerge. Among the spring ephemerals in Illinois, one of the most captivating and commonly encountered are Virginia…
Read Full Article 
MILAN, Ill. — We live in a fast-paced world. From food to information to travel, what took our grandparents hours, days or weeks to obtain, we can have in seconds and minutes. Fresh produce and plant material are no different. Carrots, berries, melons and bananas are available year-round in the local grocery store. Not far…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein says it is time to plant bulbs indoors for later enjoyment outdoors. When started indoors before the weather warms, these inexpensive, tender bulbs give gardeners a jump start on spring color. Call them “instant gratification” for gardeners, said Trinklein. Most greenhouses and big box stores…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Prices paid in 2024 for dairy products should be similar to 2023, while net returns may be better, according to University of Missouri Extension economist Scott Brown. Brown told attendees at the 2024 Missouri Dairy Expo that average weather and feed costs will be key factors for this year’s outlook. In a…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — National Animal Poison Prevention Week, March 17-23, is a time for pet owners to assess what plants and products can potentially poison their animals, identify signs they’ve been poisoned and learn how to prevent pet poisoning. It is also a good time to remind livestock owners of springtime dangers of potential poisons,…
Read Full Article 
TROY, Mo. — Soils are much drier now than they were at the start of last year’s planting season, says University of Missouri Extension climatologist Zachary Leasor. Despite gains in December and January, soil moisture sits below average for most of the state, Leasor says. Soil moisture plays an important role in the upper part…
Read Full Article 
The 2024 Rules for the Road Trucking Seminar will be held on March 20 starting at 9 a.m. at the Ursa Farmers Coop headquarters (old Greenfield School) located at 2397 Hwy 96 N, Ursa, IL. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. Make a reservation by calling the Farm Bureau office at 217-222-7305. Prices subject to confirmation…
Read Full Article 
MILAN, Ill. — We live in a fast-paced world. From food to information to travel, what took our grandparents hours, days, or weeks to obtain, we can have in seconds and minutes. Fresh produce and plant material are no different. Carrots, berries, melons and bananas are available year-round in the local grocery store. Not far…
Read Full Article 
GREEN RIDGE, Mo. — Missouri cattle producer John Chamberlin didn’t want to sell his cows when drought lingered and hay supplies and forages dwindled last year. With more than 600 head of Angus cows, Chamberlin looked to the internet for ideas. A University of Missouri Extension video on the benefits of grazing standing milo intrigued…
Read Full Article CARROLLTON, Mo. — Some things just go together like biscuits and gravy or peanut butter and jelly. Likewise, plants have companions that produce best when planted side by side, says Kathi Mecham, a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist in Carroll County. With gardening season ahead, Mecham suggests considering how plants can benefit each other.…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Adams County Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension are partnering to provide a seminar focused on helping women with farm succession planning and navigating USDA FSA farm programs from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, March 26, at the Adams County Farm Bureau, 330 S. 36th. Lunch will be provided by Adams…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Missouri Invasive Plant Council, in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will host a Callery pear “buyback” program around the state on April 23. People who complete the event registration will receive a free native tree when they show a photo of…
Read Full Article 
The University of Missouri’s Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (NM-REEC) expands across the Mark Twain watershed — a drinking source for more than 85,000 Missourians. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, it will soon help monitor water quality in the area better than ever before and at…
Read Full Article 
New exhibition rules for showing cattle, swine at county fairs, exhibitions go into effect this year
COLUMBIA, Mo. — New exhibition rules issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture late last year for showing cattle and swine at county fairs and exhibitions go into effect this year. University of Missouri Extension specialists say the changes encourage healthy animals. In a press release, Marcia Shannon, MU Extension state swine specialist, said, “Because…
Read Full Article 
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Can you hear them? Probably not yet, but soon Illinois will be awash in the songs of periodical cicadas. This year is a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois, where Broods XIII and XIX will be emerging throughout much of the state at the same time for the first time since…
Read Full Article 
MACOMB, Ill. — The recent weather has been mild. As I write, it is currently 75 degrees outside, and I am using all my willpower to stay inside and type out this article. In addition to fighting the urge to clean up the garden, some people have been concerned about how the warm winter weather…
Read Full Article 
We’ve seen record-high temperatures in the past few days. It looks like we will be seeing more warm days in the next few weeks too. Many of you are starting to buy your garden seed from mail or online retailers, local stores or large garden centers. From the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, you…
Read Full Article January 17, 2025
MUDDY RIVER MORNINGS: Jan. 17
Obituaries
Current Weather
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
WED