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Virtual town halls meet producers where they are
LAMAR, Mo. – When COVID-19 paused face-to-face programming, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Jill Scheidt knew producers would still need assistance with the growing season. Living by MU Extension’s mission of taking university research and knowledge to the people, Scheidt began brainstorming on ways her team could help.
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New COVID-19 tracking tool monitors continuous 14-day trends as nation, states reopen
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tracking tool developed at the University of Missouri provides a continuously updated 14-day snapshot of new cases of COVID-19 in every county in the nation, helping the public monitor trends in cases as local stay-at-home restrictions are lifted and other measures are gradually repealed.
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Master Gardeners fight food insecurity
HILLSBORO, Mo. – Master Gardener chapters throughout Missouri are accustomed to donating produce from home and community gardens to those in need. To further assist Missourians fighting food insecurity at this uncertain time, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and Master Gardener state coordinator David Trinklein reached out to chapters across the state to see if members would plant an extra row of produce in their gardens…
Law enforcement training adapts to COVID-19
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Law Enforcement Training Academy successfully graduated 25 students this spring. The graduates earned peace officer certification as well as certification in 12 other topic areas.
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Watch for poison hemlock
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Poison hemlock, a poisonous plant that can cause death in livestock, is especially toxic in spring, says Gatlin Bunton, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.It can also cause birth defects in the offspring of pregnant animals.
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Buttercup: Blistering beauty poisons cattle
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The buttercup’s beauty belies its blistering poison.All parts of the perennial pasture crop are poisonous, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Sarah Kenyon.
New fall-calving Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale draws first-time buyers
KINGSVILLE, Mo. – The Show-Me-Select Bred Heifer Sale at Kingsville Livestock Auction May 16 saw a large turnout and active bidding on most lots, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist David Hoffman.The 151 heifers averaged $1,713. The AI-bred heifers averaged $1,752, fetching more than $110 more per head than 52 bull-bred heifers at $1,638.
Young entrepreneurs share inventions, hone pitches in 2020 Pitch Challenge
A crime-fighting alert bracelet that looks like a smartwatch. A simple way to sanitize toilet brushes.
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An open letter to the Missouri agriculture community
Rebecca Mott and John Tummons, University of Missouri professors, researchers, livestock producers and parents, share their insights — including Mott’s research on youth livestock production — about handling disappointment and focusing on caring connections in the time of COVID-19.
Missouri 4-H'ers exceed 250,000-meal food drive goal
COLUMBIA, Mo.
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How to do a food demo for 95 in a pandemic
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A few shoppers glared at Jasmine Cobb, thinking she was one of those people hoarding supplies in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of toilet paper, her cart brimmed with precisely 95 of each item on her list: sweet potatoes, red onions, cans of black beans and much more. That many jars of chili powder really turned heads.
Ponding creates potential for crop damage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Intense or recurrent rainfall creates the potential for damage from ponding, saturated soils and flooding for corn and soybean crops, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Bill Wiebold. Some parts of southern Missouri have received 25-30 inches of precipitation since the beginning of the year, says MU Extension climatologist Pat Guinan.
Castrating, Dehorning and Implanting
“Calf processing prior to sale that reduces work for the buyer after sale potentially makes that calf more valuable at sale time,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist. The added value can lead to improved profitability of the cattle operation. Below, Davis provides thoughts on a few calf processing strategies that can add value to your calves.
Layoff aversion & strategies to maintain your workforce
The economic shock from the coronavirus is something we have not experienced in recent memory. The sudden stoppage of the economy makes it difficult to remember that until March one of the primary concerns for many business owners was finding a workforce to meet their needs.
Show-Me-Select heifer sale in Joplin shows solid results
JOPLIN, Mo. - The May 15 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Joplin Regional Stockyards saw a large turnout and active bidding on most lots, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole. The 215 heifers averaged $1,687.“The sale started off hot with four of the first six lots topping the $2,000 mark,” said Cole. The top price of $2,200 was paid for two red Angus heifers consigned by Kunkel Farms,…
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A consistent presence
Eldon Cole has served Missourians through MU Extension for 50-plus years. A lot has changed in the 56 years that Eldon Cole has served as a University of Missouri Extension specialist, but one thing has remained incredibly consistent – Cole’s desire to build relationships with the Missourians he continually serves.
Reading Role Models
Families are reading role models and promote the importance of literacy in a child’s life. Modeling engaged reading helps children form their beginning literacy skills. Children learn to use verbal and nonverbal communication including speech and sign language through early literacy skill development.
Grow your own veggies to ease COVID-19 financial stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In response to the tremendous interest in home food production, University of Missouri Extension now offers a free online course in basic vegetable gardening.“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put an added financial strain on many Missouri families,” said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This has resulted in many people putting out vegetable gardens for the first time in an attempt to lower their food bills.
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Podcast offers relationship advice during social distancing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Coronavirus has changed our lives one way or another, including our ability to have and maintain relationships during social distancing. A podcast on “Managing Relationships While Social Distancing” features a panel of four relationship researchers, including Kale Monk, assistant professor and state extension specialist in the University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Considerations for bagged storage
Before deciding to use bags for storage, consider these key aspects of successfully using bagged storage:
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MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute director to retire in August 2020
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Kevin D. Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI), will retire this August. “After a distinguished career, Kevin Zumwalt leaves us with the legacy of a safer Missouri and a standard of excellence in the training of emergency service personnel,” said MU Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Marshall Stewart.
Temporary grain storage piles
Characteristics needed to build a temporary grain storage pileA grain storage pile can be constructed as either a short-term or long-term storage facility, depending upon whether a grain aeration system is included. Aeration is a necessary component of a grain storage structure to successfully manage grain, so it can be stored for long periods of time. The steps below outline the basics of constructing a covered, grain storage pile…
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MU Foremost Dairy colostrum management exceeds industry standards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri’s Foremost Dairy developed a colostrum management system that helps it far exceed Gold Standards set by the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, says MU Extension dairy veterinarian Scott Poock.