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Clematis, 'Queen of the Vines,' climbs in popularity
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowering ornamentals are as exquisite as the “Queen of the Vines”—clematis.
Don 'Mr. Soybean' Heil inducted into Mo. Soybean Hall of Fame
NORBORNE, Mo. – The Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inducted its first member, a Norborne farmer known as “Mr. Soybean.”The late Donald W. Heil, a lifelong farmer in the Missouri River bottoms of Carroll County, earned honors as an international promoter of soybean, said Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist.
Missouri’s state tree shines in Ozarks
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The dogwood tree’s stunning beauty echoes from the Ozark hillsides in April.The spectacular show of color bears witness to why the dogwood is worthy of being Missouri’s state tree, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Prepare for disease outbreaks in livestock operations with written plan
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A written plan to respond to disease outbreaks for your livestock operation is like insurance. You hope you never need it. You may never need it. But if there is an outbreak, the economic survival of your livestock operation might depend on having that plan.Planning and prevention are the best insurance against an outbreak, says University of Missouri Extension economist Ray Massey.
Nativars offer the best of both worlds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nativars, superhero plants that possess the virtues of native plants but in a more attractive package, make good choices for landscaped areas.
Master Gardener's Big Italian tomato goes national
MEXICO, Mo. – A national tomato growers supply company honors a Missouri Advanced Master Gardener this spring by selling tomato seeds she saved for decades.On the cover of its 2017 catalog, the Tomato Growers Supply Co. features “Mrs. Maxwell’s Big Italian,” an heirloom beefsteak tomato prized for its flavor. The dark pink tomato is the result of seed-saving by the late Sally Maxwell of Mexico, Mo.
MU part of $6.6 million research project on cover crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri is part of a $6.6 million research initiative to promote soil health through cover crops.Rob Myers, MU adjunct associate professor and north-central regional director of extension programs for the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research Education program, was the lead organizer in obtaining funding for the multistate project.
Cool-loving brassicas add colors, nutrition
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Plant brassicas now so they mature before summer’s heat arrives, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Meat cooking methods may increase cancer risks
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Charbroiling, grilling over open flame, broiling and pan frying meats can produce tasty meals. Unfortunately, these methods, especially if the temperature is above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, also result in the formation of certain undesirable chemicals.These chemicals are known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), says Lydia Kaume, a nutrition and health education specialist for…
Joe Lear returns to NW Missouri as new MU Extension regional director
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Changing jobs from director of enterprise server technology at Kansas State to regional director for University of Missouri Extension might sound like an odd career move, but Joe Lear is not new to extension nor to northwestern Missouri.
Plant these 'fab four' for flowers galore
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is time to plant some bulbs indoors for later enjoyment outdoors, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Veterinarian Imogene Latimer beefs up bovine technology for 30 years
SHELBYVILLE, Mo. – Country veterinarian Imogene Hemeyer Latimer wasn’t born in a barn.However, it is where you will find her during spring calving and weaning season.Latimer serves cattle producers in northeastern Missouri. She joined the General Veterinary Clinic in Monroe City in 1987 after graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
Palmer amaranth invades about 5 more Missouri counties each year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth are easily confused.They are like ugly distant cousins at a family reunion. They look alike until you see them side by side. Their differences become apparent upon closer examination.Palmer amaranth is the bigger bully of the two. It takes over fields, choking out crops and profits.
Tax refund advice: Save some, spend some
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Income tax refunds are ready to roll out. You might want to hold on to some of that cash.Refunds are wages you earn throughout the year and should be thought of as hard-earned money rather than found money, says Andrew Zumwalt, personal finance specialist with University of Missouri Extension.For the wise, a refund windfall is a chance to stash some of the cash in an emergency fund. Use some to pay down high-interest…
Go wild! Go green!
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Spring greens from the woods can add nutrition and flavor to your diet.
Returning veteran finds sweet success
MARK TWAIN LAKE, Mo. – Smoke billows from the sugar shack where U.S. Marine veteran Jeremy Beaver cooks maple syrup. It is a crisp Sunday morning. A sweet, smoky smell and the sound of children playing fill the woods. Beaver likes the quiet of the woods where he taps maple trees for syrup. Equally, he likes the sound of his sons playing with their tractors or the laughter of friends enjoying ATV rides and barbecue while he tends the…
Plant rhubarb, the pie plant, in March
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fans of the public radio show “A Prairie Home Companion” know that rhubarb cures life’s ailments. When life cannot get any worse, “one little thing can revive a guy, and that is a piece of rhubarb pie,” according to the show’s creator, Garrison Keillor.
Growing seeds of hope for the hungry
MEXICO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners and Grow Well Missouri partner to plant seeds of hope in food pantry clients at Mexico’s Help Center.Food pantry recipients plant community garden plots with seeds bought in bulk and packaged by Master Gardeners and community volunteers. Master Gardeners also provide tools, supplies and advice.
Vitamin C and colds
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – In 1970, the biochemist Linus Pauling published “Vitamin C and the Common Cold,” promoting the idea that large doses of the vitamin could reduce the severity and duration of a cold. “There have been several well-designed studies that tested vitamin C’s ability to reduce the risk of developing a cold or lessen the symptoms. The conclusion was that the vitamin does neither,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist…
High-quality, profitable beef made possible by genetic tests
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Making quality beef for more farm profits becomes predictable by using genetic testing.Meetings across Missouri will review current breeding technology and explain new genomic tools.University of Missouri Extension specialists plan meetings in Maryville, Kingsville, Macon, Springfield and Jackson.The five meetings are called “Beef Cattle ReproGene” sessions. That’s short for “Taking the next steps in beef cattle…
Farm safety specialist urges safe practices during Grain Bin Safety Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This is one of the most dangerous times of the year for farmers, says University of Missouri Extension safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Grain Bin Safety Week is Feb. 19-25. Farmers usually check and empty grain bins during late winter and early spring. This routine job is the source of many on-farm accidents and deaths, Funkenbusch says.
Straw bale gardening offers options for gardeners
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You can’t grow turkey in the straw. However, you can grow side dishes and floral centerpieces for a turkey dinner in the straw.Gardens using straw as a growing medium are becoming popular with growers who are plagued with poor soil or limited garden space, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Straw bale gardening combines container gardening and raised-bed gardening into one green-thumb…
Pig disease on upswing in U.S.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pork producers need to know what to do if a vesicular disease strikes their operation.The Seneca Valley virus (SVV) disease is on the upswing in the United States, says Corinne Bromfield, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian.The Swine Health Information Center reported that diagnostics labs had seen more than 60 cases of SVV from January to June 2016. They reported only 20 cases in the previous 30 years.
Give your Valentine's Day flowers some TLC
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Valentine’s Day flowers, like love, can stand the test of time if given a little TLC. Call it flor-amore.
Lime doesn’t harm K-31 fescue but nitrogen adds to toxicosis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Adding poultry litter or nitrogen to toxic fescue pastures grows more grass, but also boosts toxins in the grass.A three-year study at the University of Missouri shows liming helps grass but doesn’t increase ergovaline. That toxin harms grazing cattle many ways, mostly in lost production. In recent frigid cold, farmers reported cases of fescue foot caused by the toxin. Cattle losing their hooves must be put down.