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Grant aims to share pest management information with more diverse audience
The University of Missouri’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen its reach to diverse clientele with sustainable pest management practices. The grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture aims to enhance the ability to get important pest management information out to clients who need it.
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New MU weather station measures soil moisture in forest
A new weather station at Echo Bluff State Park in Shannon County marks the 46th station in the Missouri Mesonet, the state’s expanding weather station network. University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor says the location was chosen in part to more closely monitor weather conditions in forested environments.
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Squash: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride at Thanksgiving
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 Narragansett tribe called the food “askutasquash,” which means “eaten raw,”…
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Feeder cattle grading, marketing, feeding workshop set for Dec. 3 in Lamar
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Providing education to cattle producers in the areas of cattle feeding, grading and marketing helps them make management decisions to add value to their cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist.
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Excelsior Springs to host 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Excelsior Springs will be the host city for the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference, an annual event organized by University of Missouri Extension. Annette Kendall, CEC chair and MU assistant extension professor, says the 2025 theme is “The Re-Conference. Refresh. Revive. Retool.”
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Forage, cattle producers embrace change in move from Colorado to Missouri
NEW BOSTON, Mo. – Tad and Kim Carnahan knew where one of their first stops would be after their move from Colorado to Missouri. The lifelong learners turned to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin and agronomy specialist Valerie Tate for help in setting up their new Missouri cattle and forage operation. The local extension center became their one-stop shop for learning. “We try to absorb everything,” Tad…
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MU specialist discusses policy, markets, budgets at crop conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and crop advisers attending the University of Missouri Extension Crop Conference will hear what to expect in agriculture in 2025. Ben Brown, MU Extension specialist in risk management, will look at what lies ahead in crop markets, input costs and agricultural policy during the Dec. 4-5 conference in Columbia.
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Buying corn silage to feed beef cows in winter
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. “But I have received numerous inquiries from cattlemen interested in using corn silage as a winter…
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NW Extension team wins big at Extension & Engagement Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted its annual Extension & Engagement Week Oct. 21-23. The event brought together community leaders, educators and administrators from across Missouri to celebrate and strengthen the university’s mission of public engagement and outreach.
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Notes from an Osher donor
Q: How did you first get involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program at the University of Missouri?
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Serving those who served
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri System supports military veterans with a variety of services and resources to help them on campus, in their communities and in their careers. Starting in March 2025, a new UM program will help veterans start their own businesses and obtain SBA veteran-owned business certification.
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Heroes to Hives offers veterans training, camaraderie and purpose
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. – Military veterans like beekeeper Kit Smith find comfort and knowledge through the Heroes to Hives program offered by University of Missouri Extension. The U.S. Navy veteran, who is legally blind, began attending Heroes to Hives field days and online training sessions when MU Extension started offering the program in 2021.
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MU Extension releases enterprise budgets for 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has released its latest crop and livestock enterprise budgets tailored to help Missouri farmers and ranchers plan for a productive 2025. MU Extension specialists have updated 38 budgets for farmers working with row crops, beef, swine, dairy, sheep, goats, forages and more. Region-specific budgets have also been developed for southeastern Missouri crops like cotton, peanuts and rice.
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Learn how to grow a new business in hydroponics
ST. PETERS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturists will teach a workshop on hydroponics Wednesday, Dec. 4, in St. Peters. Hydroponics, an alternative method of growing fresh foods, uses a nutrient solution in a climate-controlled environment rather than soil, said Eli Isele, MU Extension horticulture specialist and coordinator of the event.
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Mow or compost leaves for best results
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 disease.
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Crop conference sheds light on 2024 corn issues
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and crop advisers can expect to get an “earful” at the annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 4-5 at a new location, the Columbia Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center.
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Gardeners can save money, trouble with fall soil test
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 be bad for the environment because excess nutrients often leach into water supplies.
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Enrollment opens for climate-smart farming payments
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Enrollment for incentive payments for regenerative grazing and climate-smart fieldscapes begins Nov. 1, says Rob Myers, director of the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture. The program is part of a $25 million USDA grant to the University of Missouri.
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Why are some spring plants blooming now?
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 fall.
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Zombie bugs, creepy crawlers aren't just for Halloween
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For Halloween, University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff celebrates the creepy qualities of some insects and fungi.
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Clover Gala celebrates 75 years of the Missouri 4-H Foundation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebration, the Clover Gala, raised more than $117,000 on Oct. 5 in Columbia, drawing participants and supporters from across the state.
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MU Extension offers free farm tax workshops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer free tax workshops in December to help farmers, ranchers and landowners to work better with their tax professional.
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MU Extension has new guide on biosecurity for sheep producers
Biosecurity practices on sheep farms can prevent diseases from spreading among the animals and to workers, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist David Brown.
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Avoid applying fall anhydrous in northern, central Missouri
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 losses of applied nitrogen, he says. Apply into cold soil
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Women Owning Woodlands to host chain saw safety events in November
COOK STATION, Mo. – The Missouri Chapter of Women Owning Woodlands will hold events on chain saw safety in November, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Sarah Higgins.