Image
MU Southwest Center studies 'double' stocker calf operations on fescue
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Researchers at University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center in Mount Vernon are starting their third year of studying if beef producers can improve profits through a “double” calf stocking and grazing plan.The study looks at how to graze the same number of calves in half the time for better weight gains, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey.
Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognizes 5 dairy leaders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors has announced its latest award winners. Due to COVID-19, honorees will be recognized in 2022, according to Gloria Johnson, executive secretary for the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best cattle grazing pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – If not managed properly, muddy pastures can affect grazing the rest of the year, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“Cattle producers need to evaluate their pastures,” Davis says. Identify pastures that are thin and in need of renovation and consider using those as sacrifice pastures. Davis recommends consulting an MU Extension agronomist to grade pastures and make…
Growing a food hub and community at the same time
Work as a corporate paralegal brought Erica Williams up against issues of disinvestment in North St. Louis County that began to “bother my spirit,” Williams said. “There was a loss of investment in jobs, community, places to find healthy food — a loss of hope in the region — and lots of vacant land and buildings. I thought, ‘Let’s get something going here!’”
Image
Missouri EATs helps communities strengthen local food systems
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Image
Missouri 4-H career-readiness programs get $75,000 boost from Healthy Blue's affiliated Foundation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H has received $75,000 from Healthy Blue’s affiliated Foundation to help young people across the state explore colleges and careers. The 4-H Youth Futures College Within Reach program, developed by the University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, is a college orientation program that includes ongoing local mentoring, campus visits and a conference on the MU campus.
Image
Breakthrough in fight against global disease of citrus trees
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Citrus greening is a devastating disease affecting trees across the globe. Research by University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Shirin Ghatrehsamani may provide the key to overcoming citrus greening.
Do spring safety check on and off the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Planting season brings increased risk of physical injury and mental stress among farmworkers and families, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Before heading to the fields, review basic safety lessons with workers and family members, she says. Rural roadway safety
Image
New research targets late-calving dairy cows
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Intensive targeted synchronization improves the fertility of late-calving dairy cows in seasonal pasture-based systems, according to a paper in the Journal of Dairy Science Communications.
Image
4-H youths test skills at 2021 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest took place virtually Feb. 27-28, drawing 81 competing 4-H members, said Maria Calvert, Missouri 4-H state agriculture and natural resources educator.
If you dye eggs, keep them safe
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Believe it or not, hard-cooked eggs can spoil faster than fresh eggs, so if your family plans to eat dyed Easter eggs, it’s important to follow food safety principles to prevent illness.“Eggs are porous and bacteria can penetrate the shell. When they are washed at the plant, a protective coating is added,” said Tammy Roberts, University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
Don’t wing it with egg safety this Easter
BETHANY, Mo. – Don’t let safety rules fly the coop this Easter. University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health specialist Janet Hackert offers eggs-cellent tips to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by salmonella.
Easter eggs-periments to try with kids
MONTICELLO, Mo. – Make coloring Easter eggs with the children and grandchildren fun and educational, says Katie Hogan, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth program assistant.Eggs-periment with embryology lessons as you dip and dye this year. In addition to science skills, children learn color recognition, painting and cutting skills while helping decorate eggs. Count and sort as you go and talk about how eggs from various birds…
When the power goes out, don’t be in the dark about food safety
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on the safety of your refrigerated and frozen foods.Meats, seafood, ice cream, cut produce and even leftover pizza can become susceptible to foodborne contaminants in just a few hours, said Londa Nwadike, food safety extension specialist for the University of Missouri and Kansas State University.
Image
Keeping Missourians up to speed
When Ron Brown was approached to check out University of Missouri Extension’s Master Gardener program, he thought the opportunity to expand his already extensive gardening knowledge would only help as he worked in his home garden and a community garden in Ferguson, Mo. But Brown wasn’t sure what to expect since he hadn’t been in a classroom in years.
Clinton County selected to test new broadband technology
A small town in northwestern Missouri is one of seven communities in the nation testing experimental technology that could expand rural access to high-speed internet and the opportunities that can bring. Missouri University of Science and Technology is leading a team that has been awarded a one-year, $300,000 grant through the technology nonprofit US Ignite’s Project OVERCOME.
Missouri farm income saw large increase in 2020 despite pandemic
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI).
Supporting Families in Your Community
Children are shaped by their earliest experiences and relationships. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as child abuse and neglect, can cause high levels of stress.
April in National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Everyone in the community has a role in helping build the foundation and future of the children in their community. Below are a few examples of how community members can help prevent child abuse and neglect:
Child Abuse and Neglect is a Public Health Issue
April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Child abuse and neglect is a public health issue and is referred to as behavior that results in harm, potential harm, or threat of harm directed toward a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in care, custody, or control of the child. There are four common types of abuse and neglect:
Image
Bold goal, bold future: Doubling the value of Missouri agriculture by 2030
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s bold goal for a bold future takes the old adage “go big or go home” to another level. What is the bold goal? Double the value of Missouri agriculture by 2030 while sustaining the state’s natural resources.
Opioid use disorder: 'significant consequences' for Missouri's economy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Opioid use disorder suppresses Missouri’s labor force participation rate by an estimated 3% among workers ages 25 to 54, according to a study by the American Action Forum. Only Arkansas and West Virginia experience greater losses in labor force participation due to opioid addiction.
Recovery friendly workplaces: A model for building a stronger Missouri workforce and economy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mike Thibideau recalls the dread he felt that Monday morning when he called his boss to tell him he was in treatment for addiction.
Image
Dung beetles do the dirty work
COOK STATION, Mo. – For people, cowpats are smelly obstacles, but some creatures call them home.“To dung beetles, a dung pat is an ephemeral island in a hostile sea of grass,” said University of Missouri research associate Kent Fothergill at a recent dung beetle field day at MU Wurdack Farm in the Ozarks.About two dozen people spent the day learning about dung beetles and the helpful role they can play on cow pastures.
Image
Federal contracting trends and impacts in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri ranks eighth in federal contracting dollars as a share of total state gross domestic product. Missouri-based firms received $15.1 billion in prime federal contracts and almost $3 billion in subcontract awards in the federal fiscal year 2019. These contracts represented 5.4% of Missouri’s $332 billion 2019 GDP.