University of Missouri Extension
POTOSI, Mo. — Missouri is coming off consecutive years of severe droughts and depleted cool-season pastures. As drought lingers, so do old practices that worsen its impact, says Rachel Hopkins, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist. She likens it to an oft-quoted definition of insanity – “doing the same thing over and over and…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ask five farmers how much their hay bales weigh, and you’ll probably get five different answers — none of which are backed up by a scale ticket. “That’s because most folks think they know their bale weights, but more often than not, they’re guessing,” said University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Proper management of the spring flush of tall fescue gives pastures and cattle a head start for the rest of the grazing season, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann. Spring flush occurs when conditions are right for cool-season grasses to come out of their dormant state. This happens…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Pest Monitoring Network offers free, timely pest alerts to farmers and gardeners, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida. Early detection allows farmers to take quick action before infestations become severe. By scouting and monitoring their fields, farmers can make management decisions to prevent yield loss and reduce…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The high price of eggs and egg shortages in some places have led some consumers to seek out other sources of protein. “Eggs are still a good source of protein and nutrients, but, ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to decide if they fit within their budget or not,” said Sarah Wood,…
Read Full Article MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. — With spring calving season underway, producers want as many healthy calves on the ground as possible. “A lot of folks see pregnancy loss within their herd and think of it in two ways: either a cow aborting a calf during gestation, or losing the calf after it is already made it…
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JACKSON, Mo. – Get a jump on the gardening season by starting vegetable and flower seeds indoors now, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg. In a press release, Aufdenberg said, “Starting seeds indoors doesn’t have to be difficult. Knowing the basics is the best way to start.” Sow most garden seeds six…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — You can’t grow turkey in the straw, but you can grow side dishes and floral centerpieces for a turkey dinner in the straw. Straw bale gardens are becoming popular with growers who are plagued with poor soil or limited garden space, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Straw bale gardening…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Master Naturalists have conducted educational projects and volunteer community service to improve Missouri’s environment for the past 20 years. Master Naturalists are drawn to everything in nature from birds and bats to bees and trees. The Mississippi Hills Master Naturalist Chapter is one of 12 chapters in the state. Its 100-plus members…
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JACKSON, Mo. — One of your best gardening tools may be in your recycling bin, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg. Use specially prepared milk jugs to jump-start your garden by winter sowing, a method of starting seeds in late winter for spring transplanting. The dome of the milk jug acts like a…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Gardeners looking for hap-pea-ness can look no further than the pea. The National Garden Bureau has declared 2025 the year of the pea. Few vegetables match the culinary delight of peas fresh from the garden, said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. In a press release, Trinklein said, “You might say…
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than a quarter of the world’s population already eats insects as a protein source. You may find these unusual delicacies in your future, too, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Tamra Reall. If you doubt that you will ever eat insects, keep in mind that you probably already do,…
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WARSAW, Mo. — Handling farm finances wisely means knowing some key numbers that indicate the health of your operation. “One of those key numbers is your farm’s financial efficiency,” said Amie Breshears, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist, in a press release. “Financial efficiency measures your farm’s ability to use all its valuable resources…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than a century ago, the floral delivery service FTD adopted the slogan “Say it with flowers.” It turns out you can say quite a bit with flowers, notes University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Floriography, the language of flowers, refers to communicating cryptically through the meaning or symbolism of…
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INDIAN CREEK, Mo. – Members of the Mississippi Hills Missouri Master Naturalist chapter of the Hannibal area are excited about a growing population of an endangered bat species that inhabits two locations in northeast Missouri. The chapter, sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), works with the U.S.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The best time to prune fruit trees in Missouri is midwinter, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Debi Kelly. “There are many reasons to prune fruit trees, and you want to do it before bud break in the spring,” said Kelly in a press release. She held a workshop on…
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HERMITAGE, Mo. — Frost-seeding legumes now can pay big dividends later, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Terry Halleran. Frost-seeding is a low-cost method of broadcasting legumes over frozen ground into an existing pasture. Legumes offer many benefits but require proper management, says Halleran. Legumes add diversity to fescue pastures and improve…
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STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. — Few things thaw feelings of winter’s cold more than spring flowering bulbs, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Katie Kammler. Spring bulbs are nature’s way of rewarding gardeners for their work in fall, providing early color and blooms before most annuals and perennials. While spring is their time to shine,…
Read Full Article SALEM, Mo.— The use of commercial livestock dewormers has paid off in terms of animal health and productivity, but it has also resulted in resistance among parasite populations. In a press release, Eric Meusch, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, said, “As dewormers lose effectiveness, producers need to develop a broader strategy for managing internal…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The cyclamen is Cupid’s flowering love child. For centuries, people have associated cyclamens with matters of the heart, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day choice, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Cultivars of this flowering houseplant bear heart-shaped leaves. Their fragrant red, pink, white or bicolored flowers have petals that…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — Leasing instead of purchasing cows can be an effective financial strategy for cow-calf producers. A new publication by University of Missouri Extension specialists, “Introduction to Beef Cow Leases,” details how beef cow leases work. It is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g434. Lack of capital is often a barrier for new producers…
Read Full Article COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension economist Ben Brown and others predict 2025 corn prices will drop below $4.50 per bushel. This is one of a series of articles by University of Missouri Extension specialists suggesting ways to reduce input costs in a year that many farmers may struggle to keep production costs below…
Read Full Article LINNEUS, Mo. — Adding diversity to a pasture can make it more productive than growing tall fescue alone. Diversity can also aid in reducing or diluting the effects of fescue toxicity, improve nutritive value of forage, increase weight gain and enhance soil health, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts. One way…
Read Full Article ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension agronomist Wayne Flanary says 2025 likely will be a year when corn producers need to batten down the hatches to offset low sale prices and high input costs. MU Extension ag business economist Ben Brown and others predict that corn prices will fall below the $4.30 mark…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says cattle producers should plan for drought by moving from a “brittle” management style to a flexible and resilient one. Bailey will share insights on how to diversify beef enterprises so that cattle can be moved off the farm during drought at…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025
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