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Cleaning up after flood takes special care; MU Extension has free cleanup guide
Families returning to their flooded homes should exercise caution before and during the cleanup process, according to a University of Missouri Extension emergency management expert. - Jul 08, 2008

Crop-injury clinics teach pest, herbicide symptoms
Predicting the dangers crops face each growing season can be like betting on Missouri weather: you never know. This season's brew of bad weather, diseases, floods, weeds and pests underscores the challenges of Mother Nature. - Jul 07, 2008

Farmers with damaged crops must call insurance agent Adjuster must inspect before replanting or other tillage
Farmers with flood-damaged fields should contact their crop insurance agent while waiting for waters to recede and fields to dry, said a University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist. - Jul 03, 2008

Plant soybean crop in July, says MU agronomist Flooded land can make small but profitable yield
A soybean crop planted after floodwaters recede still has a chance to make a profitable yield. - Jul 03, 2008

Field day shows quail can thrive amid farmland
Northern bobwhite quail were once abundant in Missouri. Over the last 30 years, however, their numbers have declined more than 70 percent as modern farming techniques erased prime quail habitat. - Jul 02, 2008

Insects abundant on corn and soybean plants Thresholds mean little; farmers should scout often & treat early, MU entomologist says
Higher numbers of several crop pests are accumulating in fields across Missouri, posing new threats to late-planted corn and soybean and undermining traditional treatment thresholds, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. - Jul 01, 2008

Passive solar greenhouses store sun's heat in barrels of water
Inexpensive passive solar greenhouses heated only by sunlight falling on 55-gallon barrels of water are effective for growing plants year-round, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist. - Jun 30, 2008

MU to host five-state viticulture field day July 28
A Viticulture Field Day aimed at starting and developing new vineyards will be hosted July 28 by the University of Missouri Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology. - Jun 27, 2008

Create a household inventory before disaster strikes your home
The damage from recent flooding reinforces the importance of having an up-to-date household inventory. Imagine trying to compile a detailed list of property for an insurance claim just after a natural disaster. You will remember big items like the furniture and appliances but not the small things that your family needs to function comfortably. A household inventory offers tremendous emotional security even if you never go through the painful experience of having to document an extensive loss. - Jun 27, 2008

Subsurface drainage demonstrated at Bradford Farms, July 17-18 Tile drains let fields dry faster; installation, equipment to be presented
Persistent spring rains have left many row-crop producers in Missouri struggling to get their planting done. That has sparked increased interest in subsurface drainage, which lets fields dry faster and helps producers complete planting in time, even during wet years. - Jun 27, 2008

MU Extension partners with agencies to train faith-based organizations in emergency preparedness, response
Faith-based organizations are an integral part of recovery efforts in communities struck by disaster ― whether it is housing people who have lost their homes, feeding volunteers, cleaning up debris or distributing relief supplies. - Jun 26, 2008

Wheat scab widespread in Missouri; wet weather to blame Fungus cuts yields, lowers quality, MU specialist says
Wheat scab, a fungal disease, is more widespread this year than it has been for several years, threatening to lower yields and reduce seed quality, said a University of Missouri Extension specialist. - Jun 25, 2008

Safe disposal of broken compact fluorescent light bulbs
Using compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy and effective way to save on utility costs. "Using these bulbs can be very helpful to the family budget, but their use is not without risks," said Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist. - Jun 23, 2008

4-H Clowning for Smiles University of Missouri Extension 4-H members entertain veterans in the hospital
Following the old adage that laughter is the best medicine, University of Missouri Extension 4-H members put on makeup and wigs to bring some laughter to people in hospitals and nursing homes. - Jun 20, 2008

June 26 Bradford field day looks at quail habitat, native plants Farmers may profit from converting acres to quail habitat
Farmers and landowners who provide habitat for bobwhite quail don't have to sacrifice productivity or spend a lot of money. Some wildlife-management techniques may actually save time and effort, and eligible farmers can receive per-acre payments through a USDA conservation program. - Jun 20, 2008

Use shock chlorination to disinfect contaminated wells
Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. "Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill," said Bob Broz, an MU Extension water quality specialist. - Jun 20, 2008

Black cutworms keep pressure on late-planted corn Soybeans now at risk in SE Missouri; scouting needed
After a brief lull, black cutworm moth activity has resumed in northeastern Missouri, and southeastern Missouri reported its first intensive cutworm capture, said University of Missouri entomologists. - Jun 20, 2008

MU Youth Pork Institute scholarship winners announced
Jason Frieden, 17, of Lamar, Barton County, and Lauren Geiger, 17, of Mound City, Holt County, won $500 college scholarships at the 21st annual University of Missouri Youth Pork Institute, June 9-11. - Jun 19, 2008

Weeds, pests topic of MU Bradford Farm field day, June 27
Crops emerging up to a month later than normal have attracted new insect and disease problems in the wet weather of the 2008 planting season. - Jun 18, 2008

Media Alert Woodland owners learn about timber theft, carbon credits and more at field day and conference, June 20-21
Media Alert - Jun 18, 2008

University of Missouri Extension 4-H turns house into home
"Building a house is a really tangible project-to see where you start and where you finish and to see that you've been able to accomplish something," said Jeanetta Baumer, a University of Missouri Extension 4-H member from Hartville, Mo. - Jun 18, 2008

Wet weather conducive to tomato diseases
Wet conditions make tomato plants susceptible to devastating diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. Now is the time to combat them in the vegetable garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.</p> - Jun 17, 2008

Farmers to deliver produce, meet families June 26 in St. Louis for City Seeds distribution project
Families receiving fresh produce through the City Seeds food-distribution program in St. Louis will have the chance to meet the farmers who grew it when the program celebrates its second year on June 26. - Jun 17, 2008

Missouri-grown tomatoes added to FDA 'safe list'; consumers can feel confident when buying local
Missouri-grown tomatoes have been deemed safe to eat by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and placed on an official list clearing them of any association with recent salmonella outbreaks. - Jun 16, 2008

Disaster plans critical for flood plain residents Families should plan for a week away from home
Families who may be evacuated from flood plains along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and tributaries should plan to be away from their home for at least a week, according to a community emergency management specialist with University of Missouri Extension. - Jun 13, 2008

MU FAPRI studies farm bill biofuel impacts; policy matters but oil price can matter more
Government biofuel policies affect fuel and farm commodity prices, but the price of a barrel of oil can have even larger effects. - Jun 13, 2008

Stinkbugs, bean leaf beetles damage seedling crops; hard scouting can avert loss, says MU entomologist
Missouri corn and soybean producers should scout hard for brown sting bugs and bean leaf beetles. Populations of these pests are especially high in late-planted fields and threaten major damage or yield loss if not treated, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. - Jun 12, 2008

Fermented mulch can strike 'sour' note with landscape plants
Fermented or "sour" mulch from large batches hit with too much rain can damage the leaves and stems of annuals, perennials and small woody plants, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. - Jun 12, 2008

Boost your health with blueberries
This is the season to check out locally grown berries, and one of the best choices for your health is fresh blueberries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks blueberries among the highest in antioxidant content and as a powerful ally in fighting aging and associated ailments, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist. - Jun 10, 2008

Farmers markets more popular in urban areas, but rural communities still have opportunities
While farmers markets may be more popular and viable in urban areas, rural communities still have opportunities to create successful local food systems, according to a newly published study. - Jun 10, 2008

Fragrant plants give gardens an extra dimension
Home gardeners may want to plant flowers for their fragrance as well as their appearance, said a University of Missouri horticulturist. - Jun 10, 2008

Armyworm outbreaks threaten southwest Missouri; green wheat, seedling corn, fescue most at risk
Farmers in southwestern Missouri should scout for armyworm larvae, a pest that attacks fields en masse, causing extensive damage if not treated. Wheat, fescue and seedling corn fields are most at risk, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. - Jun 09, 2008

Recent months wettest on record in Missouri, says MU Extension climatologist
The past six months mark Missouri's wettest December-May period on record. Precipitation across the state averaged just over 30 inches from Dec. 1 through the end of May, said a University of Missouri Extension climatologist with the Commercial Agriculture program. - Jun 09, 2008

Compost can improve the quality of your garden soil
Many gardening difficulties are rooted in substandard soil. The good news is that whether your garden has a nutrient, moisture or aeration problem, you can improve the soil with compost, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. - Jun 09, 2008

Emergency response training available to faith-based organizations
Faith-based organizations are an integral part of recovery efforts in communities struck by disaster ? whether it is housing people who have lost their homes, feeding volunteers, cleaning up debris or distributing relief supplies. - Jun 05, 2008

Corn planting deadline looms; yield losses likely but crop can still be good if weather helps, say MU experts
Many Missouri farmers are several weeks behind schedule on planting corn due to persistent wet weather. With the approach of the early June cutoff date for corn planting, farmers may have to switch to other crops or plant out of season despite risks of lower yields, said University of Missouri agriculture experts. - Jun 04, 2008

Late-planted crops attract more insects MU entomologist urges scouting corn, soybeans
Late-planted crops are at increased risk from insects that normally pose a lower threat, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. - May 30, 2008

Storms bring leafhoppers to alfalfa fields Regrowth after haying most at risk, MU entomologist says
Farmers growing alfalfa should start scouting for the potato leafhopper, an insect that feeds on alfalfa, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. - May 30, 2008

The nutritious advantage of nuts
Nuts are high in calories and fat, but those calories are loaded with nutrition. "Nuts in moderate amounts daily can make a huge difference in your health," said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health specialist. - May 30, 2008

Asparagus is a heart-healthy choice
Asparagus is one of those vegetables that people either love or hate. "If you haven't tried asparagus in a while, you may want to reconsider because asparagus is loaded with healthy nutrients," said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist. - May 30, 2008