University of Missouri Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. — It is difficult to make blanket recommendations on fall nitrogen fertilizer rates to pastures because of the variability in how forages are managed in the Fescue Belt, says University of Missouri Extension state nutrient management specialist John Lory. But fescue pastures need a source of nitrogen to thrive, he says. “Judicious use”…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Flying monkeys, creepy crawlies and monsters under the bed need to make way for the Joro spider. But Missouri arachnophobes can rest easy for a bit, says University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff. Introduced to the United States a decade ago, the Joro spider is a slow traveler. To date,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Everyone loves seeing social media posts of smiling farm kids with their animals at local fairs. But no one enjoys seeing these photos more than criminals who could put your family’s safety and property at risk, says Brenda Schreck, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in livestock. Wait until you return home…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — Six regional sales are scheduled later this year, including one in Palmyra, for heifers enrolled in the University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. “Show-Me-Select is a program that benefits sellers and buyers,” Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist, said in a press release. “Sellers are rewarded for raising heifers…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Good livestock handling practices can improve animal comfort and make livestock management safer for people and animals, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Brenda Schreck. Accidents happen most often during common activities such as feeding, handling, loading and transporting. Schreck says animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin teaches that it is important…
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MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. — Breeding season will be here before we know it. Is your herd prepped for success? Here are steps you can take to maximize your breeding season. Schedule pre-breeding exams The easiest thing you can do to prep for breeding season is make sure you have healthy, reproductively sound cattle. Have your…
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Look no further than your local woods for fresh, flavorful fruits and nuts says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Kelly McGowan. In the woods, you’ll find a colorful and tasty assortment of edible delights, including wild strawberry, gooseberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, plums, mulberry, elderberry, grapes, persimmons, pawpaws and nuts, McGowan says.…
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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The “Miss Congeniality” of Missouri backyard fruits might be the honeyberry. Honeyberry’s ability to thrive in conditions that often challenge blueberries makes it a promising choice for gardeners seeking a productive and low-maintenance fruit, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall. This crowned jewel of a bush grows in a variety…
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TROY, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension’s website lists numerous apps to help in decision-making on the farm, says MU Extension agricultural engineering specialist Charles Ellis. “These apps can help you make objective decisions to better manage your crops and livestock,” Ellis said in a press release. “By entering information from your farm, you can…
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MARYVILLE, Mo. — Twilight gardens delight the senses of sight and smell by adding another dimension to the gardening experience, says Gwen Funk, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. Also known as moon gardens, twilight gardens use white flowers and plants to capture reflected moonlight. “The use of the color white showcases how we can,…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — A new report from the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources outlines the critical role of forests in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in plant material. “Carbon and Biomass Dynamics in Missouri Forests and Implications for Climate Change” was prepared for the Missouri Forest Products Association with…
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TROY, Mo. — Corn planting in 2024 was a tale of two seasons, early and late, requiring special attention to drying and storage, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Charles Ellis. Planting got off to a good start this year. Then Missouri averaged more than 6 inches of rain in April, about 2…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Highly pathogenic avian influenza infected dairy cattle in some states earlier this year, though not in Missouri. Could the disease affect pigs? Cory Bromfield, University of Missouri Extension swine veterinarian, said it could happen, but to date only one natural case of H5N1 has been reported in the U.S., and that was…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension specialists have confirmed the first case of corn stunt in Missouri. The disease, which is transmitted by an insect, was found in southwest Missouri. Corn leafhopper is the insect capable of infecting corn with three pathogens that results in corn stunt disease. Corn stunt symptoms begin with yellowing…
Read Full Article MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo.— Start stockpiling tall fescue in mid-August for healthier, more profitable cattle, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Rusty Lee. Stockpiling fescue extends the grazing season and reduces the need to feed hay. “Winter feed costs are the cattle producer’s biggest single expense,” says Lee in a press release. The…
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KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – More than 20 years ago, eight-year-old Casey Jefferson Coy enrolled in the Garden ’n Grow program in Kirksville at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Adair County. Little did she know that the summer-long program would lead her to decades of employment and enjoyment. For Coy, the class was also an…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Have you always wanted a horse but don’t know where to start? An updated University of Missouri Extension publication offers guidance. “Buying a Horse” is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/g2835. “Purchasing a horse should be well planned and carefully thought out,” said Shawn Deering, MU Extension livestock specialist, in a press release.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Selecting for cattle with heat tolerance can improve a producer’s profitability. An updated University of Missouri Extension publication, “Hair Shedding Scores: A Tool To Select Heat Tolerant Cattle,” explains how to score for hair shedding and seek lower scores for better heat tolerance. The publication is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/g2014.…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Pest control is an important part of establishing an attractive garden. Insects, diseases and weeds are formidable foes, but the damage they inflict often pales compared to the destruction perpetrated by some of our four-legged “friends,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “It is extremely frustrating to put time, effort…
Read Full Article ROCK PORT, Mo. — A six-year study at the University of Missouri’s Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center in northwestern Missouri looked at the impact of poultry litter on soybean crops. In a press release, MU Extension agronomy specialist Wayne Flanary, who conducted the research, said, “Poultry litter is increasingly being applied to row crops in…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish reports confirmaion of red crown rot, a yield-robbing soybean disease, in Marion County in northeastern Missouri. This is the first confirmed incidence of the disease in the state. Bish says MU Extension specialists have been scouting for the pathogen since its confirmation in…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension specialists will give updates on timely topics in agriculture from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, in Palmyra. MU Extension field agronomist Nick Wesslak said topics at the free event will include diseases such as tar spot and red crown rot, drying and storage of late-planted…
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WEST PLAINS, Mo. — An abundance of flies in cow herds is being reported to University of Missouri Extension specialists this summer, increasing the likelihood of cattle health issues, including pinkeye. MU Extension livestock field specialist Elizabeth Picking estimates face flies are the biggest contributor this year to the spread of pinkeye in cattle. “I’ve…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — Marion County fairgoers can learn how to improve safety on the family farm during the annual fair at Flower City Park in Palmyra, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Nick Wesslak. Safety Day runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with demonstrations on grain bin safety from…
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — As the world enjoys the 2024 Olympic Games, the use of performance-enhancing substances will be under scrutiny. University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein notes that garlic was given to the original Olympic athletes in ancient Greece to increase strength and stamina. Thus, this culinary staple was perhaps one of the…
Read Full Article March 30, 2025
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