Pasture with stone wall

Spring Pastures Meeting to be held on June 2, 2021

The University of Missouri Extension will hold a Spring Pasture Meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2. The meeting will be held at the Mercer County Extension Office, located at 505 S. Steward St. in Princeton. Topics include “Weed and Brush Control” presented by Andy Luke, agronomy specialist, and “Common Plants Toxic to Grazing […]

Insurance Policy

It pays to know what your farm liability insurance covers

Without regular policy checks, farm liability insurance might be like a hospital gown – not enough coverage where you need it most. Thoroughly read your policy regularly and check for gaps and needed updates says University of Missouri Extension economist Ray Massey. “Planning is important, but even the best plans do not always succeed in […]

Farm Scene news graphic

Know youth labor laws before hiring summer staff

As the school year ends, you can expect young people to start applying for summer jobs. For agricultural employers, these young workers can provide extra capacity at a time when farms and agribusinesses often have more work than they have employees to get that work done. “Labor is tight as the economy picks up steam […]

Soil Sampling for Soybean Cyst Nematodes to Prevent Potential Yield Losses

Free soybean cyst nematode tests available to farmers

Missouri farmers can submit two free tests to beat the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) by contacting their county University of Missouri Extension center or the SCN Diagnostics laboratory. Testing soil before planting soybean is vital, says MU Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette. SCN is the No. 1 soybean disease in the U.S. and Canada, with […]

Century Farm

2021 Century Farm application deadline extended to June 1

In recognition of the Missouri Bicentennial, University of Missouri Extension will extend this year’s Century Farm application deadline to June 1. “With our partners the Missouri Farm Bureau and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, we want to be sure every eligible farm family has an opportunity to apply in this special […]

Tai Chi

Online Tai Chi class begins in May for area counties

The University of Missouri Extension is offering their popular Tai Chi online classes in Mercer, Livingston, and Grundy counties. Tai Chi has been offered face to face and online across the state for the past two years. ‘The online classes allow members of the public to participate in the physical, mental, and social benefits of […]

Stop Suicide V2

MU Extension to offer free 1-hour suicide prevention class

An hour of your time could save a life as the University of Missouri Extension will offer free one-hour suicide prevention training sessions online in April and May. QPR Gatekeeper Training helps participants “question, persuade and refer” someone who may be suicidal, says MU Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. QPR was created in […]

Cow and calf in a field (cattle)

Profitable cow-calf operations begin with early calvers

Cows need to conceive and calve early to earn their keep.  University of Missouri Extension beef cow-calf specialist Jordan Thomas says managing for a short or even an “ultra-short” calving season should determine which cows get to stay on the farm. Late-conceiving cows should go to market. Thomas and MU Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric […]

Missouri 4-H Website

Missouri 4-H career-readiness programs get $75,000 boost

Missouri 4-H has received $75,000 from Healthy Blue’s affiliated Foundation to help young people across the state explore colleges and careers. The 4-H Youth Futures College Within Reach program, developed by the University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, is a college orientation program that includes ongoing local mentoring, campus visits, and a […]

Tomatoes

MU Extension offers free event on growing tomatoes

University of Missouri Extension will offer a free program on Growing Home Garden Tomatoes 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, via Zoom. MU Extension horticulture specialist Jennifer Schutter will talk about tomato genealogy, tomato varieties, planting, harvesting, physiological disorders, and diseases and insects. MU Extension agronomy specialist Dhruba Dhakal discusses soil sampling and testing, soil preparation, […]