Nine Missouri weather stations recently received updates to help farmers and chemical applicators know when to spray herbicides to avoid off-target movement caused by temperature inversions. The Extension Commercial Agriculture Program of the University of Missouri operates 24 real-time weather stations throughout the state. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council recently funded updates for stations in Monroe City, Vandalia, Albany, Columbia,…
Extension ⋅ Page 2
Bee Workshops Lead to More Hives, Honey and Crops
More than 300 people began beekeeping after workshops
Beehives in the Lake of the Ozarks are buzzing, thanks in part to University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. MU Extension specialists and beekeepers Travis and Joni Harper have coordinated beekeeping classes for more than 800 Missourians during the past three years. More than 300 people began beekeeping in more than 1,100 hives after attending beginning…
Dairy Farmer Uses MU Extension Research to Grow
Mike Meier wants to use same principles for beef herd
Fourth-generation farmer Mike Meier knows change will help his family’s Century Farm survive. The rotational grazing and breeding system he uses for his dairy herd works well — now he wants to apply those principles to beef cattle. “At 56, I wanted to go in a different direction,” he says. Meier wants to see how much profit per acre he…
Providing Leadership Development Opportunities
MU Animal Sciences Youth Leadership Academy returns for second year
The University of Missouri Animal Sciences Youth Leadership Academy returned in 2017 with a focus on teaching high school students more about the livestock industry. The four-day academy allowed an opportunity for networking with industry leaders. The goal of the program is to provide leadership development opportunities for youth in agriculture. The academy is a partnership between MU Extension, the…
Leading the Next Generation
Fifth-generation rancher becomes MU Extension beef nutrition specialist
Fifth-generation rancher Eric Bailey recently joined the University of Missouri Extension as state beef nutrition specialist. He chose Mizzou for “its desire to innovate and be leaders in the next generation of beef producers.” He will work with specialists on beef cattle nutrition. He plans to meet beef farmers and leaders across the state. A native of Santa Rosa, New…
Couple Returns from Asia to Provide Produce for Rolla Area
Now they are teaching others how to "Grow Your Farm"
Eric and Pathoumma Meusch had a hard time finding good-quality, locally grown foods when they moved from Asia to Eric’s hometown of Rolla. They grew their own food and soon received requests from friends and neighbors to buy food. They opened Meusch Farms in 2010. They shared their experiences at a recent “Grow Your Farm” workshop sponsored by University of…
MU Grazing School Key to Edgewood Dairy and Creamery
June is Dairy Month
Twenty years ago, Charles Fletcher of Edgewood Dairy and Creamery attended a University of Missouri Extension grazing school. It would change the future of the family dairy operation. Fletcher’s father started the dairy farm in 1966. His father milked cows by hand 365 days a year, morning and night. In 1993, the Fletcher family formed a partnership that included poultry…
New Technology Helps Perry County Through Tornado
MU Extension continues to help with tornado recovery
New technology and old-school knowledge mixed in the aftermath of the tornado that struck Perry County in February. The EF4 tornado ripped a 14-mile-long path through Perryville, population 8,225, and rural Perry County in southeastern Missouri. The tornado stripped more than 50 homes and farm buildings to their foundations. University of Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Frank Wideman stepped into…
Help From Up North
CAFNR International Programs teams up with University of Saskatchewan, Canadian government to improve ag productivity in Ghana
Canada has been involved in the economic development of Ghana for decades, dating back to 1957 when Ghana became the first African country to receive financial assistance from the Canadian government. The University of Missouri has also built a strong presence in the West African country over the years – so perhaps it was only natural that the two entities…
Weather Updates at Your Fingertips
Missouri Mesonet offers real-time weather updates across the state
It was 25 years ago when Pat Guinan, with the help of the University of Missouri’s Extension Commercial Agriculture Program, established the first of a small network of automated weather stations in northwest Missouri. The network, known as the Missouri Mesonet, now includes 34 weather stations – 24 of which provide real-time weather updates. The network covers 24 counties in…