Farm & Agriculture

A normal, unstressed ear in late R1 stage. Silks remain only near the tip and detach from ovules after fertilization. This ear shows excellent fertilization throughout the ear. Ovules near the tip have not been fertilized, but in this field, pollen was still shedding.

Corn ears tell us what went right, what went wrong

Source: William Wiebold, 573-673-4128 (cell); 573-882-0621 COLUMBIA, Mo. – It sounds corny, but if we use our ears, corn ears will tell us why yields are down, says University of Missouri Extension state agronomist Bill Wiebold. Corn ears tell and show us what went wrong during pollination and...

Learn about pollinator-friendly lawns at Sept. 24 webinar

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a session on pollinator-friendly lawns 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. MU Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall says the one-hour webinar tells how lawn owners can have it all – pollinators and beautiful lawns. “Studies show that pollinator...

MU Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel breaks down scientific research for dairy farmers in a new podcast, 'Dairy Science Digest.' She was recently named interim superintendent of MU's Southwest Research Center. Photo courtesy of Reagan Bluel.

New dairy podcast takes research to the barn

MONETT, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel is a self-proclaimed “science geek.” She likes pawing through the latest science journals to keep on the cutting edge of dairy research that could improve the bottom line of Missouri dairy producers. “Sometimes useful farm...

Heat stress in dry cows creates problems generations later

MONETT, Mo. – Offspring of heat-stressed cows show health problems in future generations, says University of Missouri Extension dairy field specialist Reagan Bluel. Bluel highlights research from Jimena Laporta at the University of Florida in the third edition of Dairy Science Digest, a podcast for...

Begin stockpiling fescue mid-August

Source: Craig Roberts, 573-882-0481 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Start stockpiling fescue mid-August for healthier and more profitable cattle, says University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts. Stockpiling fescue saves time and money by reducing the need to feed hay. Fescue, the No. 1 forage...

Long, water-soaked necrotic lesions with irregular margins are a characteristic symptom of bacterial leaf streak. Photo by K. Bissonnette.

Scout for two emerging corn diseases in Midwest

Source: Kaitlyn Bissonnette, 573-882-9106 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri corn growers should scout for two emerging corn diseases: bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and tar spot, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. These diseases appeared for the first time in Missouri...

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has gotten reports of Missourians receiving unsolicited seeds from foreign countries such as China. Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Do not plant seeds you did not order

By Linda Geist COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are asking the public to report unsolicited seed deliveries. MU Extension horticulturist Robert Balek notes that there have been reports from around the country of people receiving small padded envelopes of seed that...

Pasture flies thriving in hot, humid weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy veterinarian Scott Poock says three types of flies cause economic damage and discomfort in cattle. Typically appearing in spring, horn flies, face flies and stable flies carried over to summer this year due to hot, humid weather. “The warmer it...

U.S. House of Representatives passes Great American Outdoors Act

The Conservation Federation of Missouri commends the U.S. House of Representatives for its overwhelming support of the Great American Outdoors Act. The bill will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and provide money for deferred maintenance projects at national parks,...

Cattle Pricing Report Leaves Producers Unsatisfied

By Eric Bohl In late July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report on the difference between the prices of live cattle and processed meat. To those outside the industry, this report probably sounded like a run-of-the-mill government document. But cattle producers have been anxiously...