Graze milo to save on winter feed expenses, says MU Extension agronomist

COOK STATION, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Rusty Lee will tell why grazing milo saves livestock producers money Oct. 6 at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center Producer Field Day. He will share his experiences with grazing milo for the past eight years.

Women in dairy invited to Sept. 12 lavender tour in Centralia

CENTRALIA, Mo. – Women involved in the dairy industry are invited to attend an on-farm field trip to learn more about lavender production.The University of Missouri’s Women in Dairy group is scheduled to tour and smell the lavender fields at Battlefield Lavender in Centralia 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.“Lavender production holds the opportunity to supplement your income or at minimum lift your spirits,” says MU Extension dairy…

MU Tomato Festival returns Sept. 7

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Learn about growing tomatoes and sample tomato and pepper varieties at the University of Missouri Tomato Festival, 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center in Columbia.“We haven’t held the Tomato Festival since 2019, and people are asking for it,” said Tim Reinbott, communications director for the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.

Time to Elevate

CAMDENTON, Mo. – Next March, University of Missouri Extension in Camden County will host “#Elevate: An Empowering Experience for Women,” a free, one-day event offering educational sessions, a keynote luncheon, health screenings and an exhibit hall featuring vendors and services specifically for women.

Second annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week is Sept. 28-Oct. 4

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missourians are encouraged to participate in events and activities to help establish connections with their neighbors during the second annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week, Sept. 28 to Oct 4.

MU Extension, partners host free forest and wildlife management workshop Sept. 9 in Portland

PORTLAND, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and partners invite the public to a free forest and wildlife management workshop Sept. 9 in Callaway County.The workshop will be at the property of Bill and Margie Haag, 8801 Little Tavern Creek Road, Portland, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

MU Extension offers Direct Marketing Beef School

UNION, Mo. – Cattle producers are invited to the first-of-its-kind Direct Marketing Beef School, offered Aug. 17-18 in Union, Mo., by University of Missouri Extension livestock specialists.The two-day training follows four successful Beef Feedlot Schools over the past two years, said MU Extension state beef specialist Eric Bailey.

Top 5 livestock forage actions to take during drought

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most of Missouri is experiencing drought conditions, which have extended almost a full year, putting enormous pressure on cattle producers. University of Missouri Extension specialists have five top action items for producers to do now:

Field days set at Mizzou ag centers across the state

University of Missouri agriculture researchers and extension specialists share their findings at field days across the state from August through October.

Missouri SBDC continues to “Elevate” second-stage businesses

This spring, five Missouri small businesses began the journey to grow beyond the second stage. Through the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC’s) Elevate program, these five business owners, at no cost to them, are gaining knowledge from various experts that most small-business owners rarely have access to.

Missouri youths compete at 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Thirty-six youths from across Missouri attended the 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day, June 10 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center in Columbia.Competitions included a poultry judging contest, quiz bowl, egg demonstration contest, photo contest and dozen egg contest.

Franklin County farm hosts Missouri Dairy Summer Social

WASHINGTON, Mo. – Riegel Dairy in Washington, Mo., will host the Missouri Dairy Summer Social 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 30.Grade A dairy producers statewide are encouraged to attend this free educational event, says Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist and educational director of Missouri Dairy.Recognized as a leading producer in the state, Riegel Dairy uses technology to help manage its herd of 780…

Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament is June 6

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation will host the 13th annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 6, at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia.The goal is to raise $100,000 to support the work of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development to turn today’s youths into tomorrow’s leaders. The day includes golfing, prizes, raffles and more.

Master Gardeners hold garden tour in historic Ste. Genevieve

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – University of Extension Master Gardeners offer a late-spring garden walk through historic Ste. Genevieve gardens 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 and May 21.MU Extension horticulturist Katie Kammler says the garden walk is part of a two-day celebration of historic French colonial homes, wineries, restaurants and shopping in the oldest European settlement west of the Mississippi River. The tour includes about 20 private,…

Severe-weather resources from MU Extension

News releases, videos, publications and more.  Publications In-depth information is available from these MU Extension publications, which are available for free download. (To access publications, use the links below or go extension.missouri.edu/publications/ and search by publication number.)

MU Extension to host free cattle grading workshop in Maries County

VIENNA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a free cattle grading workshop 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at South Central Regional Stockyards in Vienna.“Producers may wonder how their cattle grade as compared to others and how this affects their price,” said Anita Ellis, an MU Extension livestock specialist in Fulton. The workshop will help cattle producers determine the grade of their animals.

Missouri SBDC elevates business, impacts economic development

Over the past two years, a group of 22 second-stage Missouri small businesses increased sales by $10.7 million, made capital investments of $8.2 million, and added 74 jobs. These businesses were beneficiaries of research and advice from leading experts in a customized consulting program called Elevate. Targeted at second-stage businesses, Elevate is sponsored by the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with…

Master Showman Competitions: Displaying Youths’ Hard Work

The Issue4-H and FFA Livestock projects impact youth life skill development in motivation, responsibility, goal setting, discipline, and leadership (Anderson et al., 2015; Boleman et al., 2004; Evans, et al. 2019; Heavner et al., 2011; Rusk et al, 2003). Knowledge of husbandry and showing procedures increased the longer youth participate in the projects (Havner et al., 2011; Rusk et al., 2003).

Leadership change in extension and engagement

University of Missouri President Mun Choi has announced that Marshall Stewart, chief engagement officer for the UM System and vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU, is leaving the university to pursue another opportunity as Kansas State University's senior vice president for executive affairs, university engagement and partnerships, and chief of staff, effective Jan. 20, 2023.

Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts new members

SEDALIA, Mo. – “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 40 volunteers joined the 2022 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 20 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes individuals who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame, said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation

4-H Foundation endowment funds reaching many Missouri counties

County endowment funds created by the Missouri 4-H Foundation have had a significant impact on many Missouri counties within the last year. The Foundation currently manages six county endowment funds benefiting Barton, Callaway, Dade, Henry, Pike and St. Charles counties.

Drought requires feed efficiency in cattle

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Low supplies of hay make feeding cattle a challenge.Elizabeth Picking, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in southwestern Missouri, sees the effects of severe drought in her area – dwindling hay supplies, poor-quality hay, high prices and ponds going dry.

Calling Missouri employers for digital skill-building opportunity

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees with the technology know-how that companies need. To address that challenge, University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with the MU College of Engineering, launched the Digital Transformation Certificate Program to provide employees with technology training.

MU Extension guide, spreadsheet help estimate farmland values

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers and sellers who need an estimate of the value of a piece of farmland may not always find it feasible to get an appraisal, particularly one that reflects the land’s historical value needed to calculate taxes and settle estates.

10 Missouri small businesses prepare to “Elevate” beyond the second stage

Ten second-stage Missouri small businesses are learning from experts and each other how to move to the next level. Selected from across the state and representing the advertising, construction, health care, manufacturing, and retail trade industries, the following businesses are participating in the 2022 Elevate program supported and led by the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).