Farm & Agriculture

Cereal rye as a cover crop can reduce waterhemp

Source: Mandy Bish, 573-882-9878 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cereal rye as a cover crop may reduce waterhemp populations without yield loss in soybean, according to a three-year study at the University of Missouri. MU Extension weed specialist Mandy Bish and a team of researchers studied how planting soybean...

Weed electrocution research sparks interest as herbicide resistance impedes current methods

Source: Kevin Bradley, 573-882-4039 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Move over, herbicides. There’s a new sheriff in town. And he’s toting some powerful guns loaded with electricity to kill weeds. This shocking new method of weed control was demonstrated at the 2021 Pest Management Field Day at the University of...

Grow now, graze later to reduce winter feed costs

Source: Craig Roberts, 573-882-0481 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Grow now and graze later to get the most out of tall fescue pastures. Winter stockpiling cool-season grasses carries cow-calf operations through the winter, the costliest time to feed cattle, says University of Missouri Extension state forage...

Watermelon: The food of angels

Source: David Trinklein, 573-882-9631 COLUMBIA, Mo. – July, National Watermelon Month, is a time to celebrate this thirst-quenching, vitamin-rich garden delight. Mark Twain wrote that one who has tasted watermelon “knows what the angels eat.” “Aptly named, watermelon is 92% water,” said University...

Painted leaf poinsettia is a perennial that grows wild in Missouri, especially the southern part of the state. Photo courtesy of Floridaseeds.

Celebrate Christmas in July with painted leaf poinsettia

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Plant lovers who can’t wait until December for Christmas poinsettias can celebrate in July. Although not as splashy as its winter relative, painted leaf poinsettia is a mid-year gift, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Painted leaf poinsettia, also...

Missouri 4-H shooting teams rank high at national championships

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – The Missouri 4-H shooting sports teams won third-place honors at the 2021 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, June 20-25 in Grand Island, Neb. More than 590 participants from 32 states competed in nine disciplines, demonstrating excellence in marksmanship, safety,...

Landowners, tenants invited to respond to 2021 Missouri rental rate survey

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Landowners lease roughly 35% of Missouri crop, pasture and woodland acreage to renters every year. Rented acreage has increased in recent years as more land has transitioned to the next generation, interest rates have incentivized land investments and interest in carbon markets and...

An emerald ash borer. Photo by David Cappaert, Michigan State University.

Check ash trees for emerald ash borer

Source: Kevin Rice, 573-882-2838 COLUMBIA, Mo. – The invasive emerald ash borer may eliminate the ash tree from North America. In Missouri, EAB is present in 89 counties and the city of St. Louis. “Just like the Dutch elm disease that killed our native American elm trees, EAB is capable of...

Eighth-Annual Tractor Cruise Registration Now Open

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is holding its eighth-annual Keep Missouri Farming Tractor Cruise on July 17, 2021. Tractors will travel through Atchison County on a 38-mile loop. The event will begin and end at Liles Enterprises, 31792 State Highway W, Fairfax...

Mother Nature's drenchings damage crops

Source: William Wiebold, 573-882-0621 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mother Nature has not been kind to Missouri agriculture in 2021, says University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold. Spring rains delayed corn and soybean planting well beyond the best date for yield, says Wiebold. Then the...