University of Missouri Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri soybean farmers should be on the lookout for several species of stink bugs in 2025, says University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. According to a 2024 survey, green stink bug was the most prevalent in Missouri soybean crops, accounting for a little more than 70% of the stink…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension is studying the use of pig manure as a crop fertilizer in research at the MU Bradford Research Farm in Columbia. The study is looking at corn yields and soil health indicators under three separate treatments on 5 acres at Bradford Farm, said Teng Lim, extension professor of…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation on a program to establish white oak seed orchards on private land. These orchards are intended to provide a steady supply of white oak acorns from trees of known quality and growth characteristics, says Brian Schweiss, MU Extension specialist in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few plants can boast colorful, long-lasting flowers and attractive foliage the remainder of the year, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Florist’s kalanchoe delivers both, making it a versatile houseplant. Its vibrant flowers provide a welcome burst of color during the dreary days of winter, Trinklein said. There is nothing…
Read Full Article SALEM, Mo. — November is a good time to review winter feeding plans, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. “Forage growth has come to an end, so making sure producers have what they need to feed their livestock though the winter is important,” Meusch said in a press release. “These three…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo.— In a press release, David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension, said, “Given most nuts ripen late in the year, they have long been associated with the holiday season.” It also is one of the few times consumers see what nuts look like in nature. Nuts often are purchased with their…
Read Full Article INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Don’t be intimidated by the the prospect of cooking a big Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not that difficult, even for novice cooks, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. First, make sure you have enough bird, says Tammy Roberts. If you’re hosting a large group, get at least one pound of whole…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Squash usually takes a back seat to sweet potato, cranberry and pumpkin in modern-day Thanksgiving meals. Yet squash is rich in both history and nutrition, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. The Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe members enjoyed squash at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 in Plymouth colony. The…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey in a…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — If a little is good, a lot must be better. That’s often the approach home gardeners take when plants and flowers don’t do well, says University of Missouri Extension soil scientist Manjula Nathan. But adding more fertilizer and topsoil without testing the soil may be a waste of money. It also can…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves in the fall. But leaves allowed to remain on lawns can pack down to form a tight mat that prevents sunlight from reaching the grass, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the potential for…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff celebrates the creepy qualities of some insects and fungi, even after Halloween. For example, many fungi in the genus Ophiocordyceps can parasitize insects, turning them into “zombie bugs” that help the fungi reproduce. “They prey most often on beetles, ants, dragonflies and butterflies,” says Althoff. Infected…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are fielding questions about plants that are blooming and leafing out of season. MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly, who serves as the state extension Master Gardener coordinator, says she’s noticed many social media postings about spring-blooming flowers and shrubs, especially irises and lilacs, budding and blooming in…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory advises against fall application of anhydrous ammonia anywhere in Missouri. Fall application increases the risk for substantial losses in the period between fall and when the corn needs the nitrogen in June and July. Instead, preplant and side-dress applications to minimize potential…
Read Full Article GREEN CASTLE, Mo. — The Northeast Missouri Women in Agriculture event scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, will offer fun and facts for women wanting to improve their gardens, forests and farms. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wildflower Grove, 1119 Front, Green Castle. The town is on Missouri Route…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — After years of record-breaking farmland prices in Missouri, is stabilization on the horizon? Data from the latest Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey hints at slower growth in Show-Me State farmland values. The annual survey provides valuable insights into farmland values, who is buying and selling, and the factors affecting farmland values now…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The safety of the U.S. pork supply is achieved through biosecurity protocols not only during National Pork Month in October but every day of the year to safeguard animal health, food safety, the environment and the economy. University of Missouri Extension’s Swine Team educates pork producers and workers on safety protocols throughout…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — The average Missourian eats 63 pounds of pork each year. “If you’ve thought about supplying pork to Missouri markets but haven’t decided for sure, then Intel for Ag (www.intelforag.org) can help,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension state specialist and Intel for Ag contributor, in a press release. Information posted to…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — You aren’t the only one getting cozy for fall. While you are pulling out the flannels, insects are looking for a place to be snug as a bug in a rug for the winter. “Over the next few weeks, it is critical to ensure your home is properly sealed to avoid insect…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Big changes are coming for private pesticide applicator training next year. University of Missouri Extension private pesticide applicator training coordinator Rusty Lee says extension specialists will hold workshops across the state after Jan. 1 to train those who apply restricted use pesticides (RUPs) on owned or rented property. New federal rules change…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri’s grape harvest this year is, for the most part, early throughout the state. The reason for the early harvest is the low crop yield, which is mainly due to frost last spring, according to Dean Volenberg, interim director of the University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute and viticulture program leader.…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — This fall, millions of Americans will purchase a vegetable they, unfortunately, are very unlikely to eat, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In the United States, this colorful member of the gourd plant family is used primarily for decoration, but many people throughout the world use pumpkin as a staple…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. – Springtime favorites such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths won’t greet you next year if they’re not planted in the fall. “The bulbs of spring-blooming plants need to be in the ground now so they can go through a chilling process in the winter,” said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few flowers signal fall’s arrival more than the cheerful chrysanthemum, or mum, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Mums’ long-lasting blooms put on a colorful display for weeks when other flowers have called it quits for the season. Mums are one of the oldest known flowers, Trinklein said. The Chinese…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension’s Frost/Freeze Probabilities Guide tells us that frost is likely coming within two weeks in the northernmost part of the state. That means that it’s time to think about protecting plants from frost, said MU Extension state horticulture specialist David Trinklein. Although near-freezing temperatures are not currently in the forecast, daily…
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