The University of Missouri CAFNR Agricultural Experiment Station is focused on showcasing strong natural resource management. At the Thompson Research Center in Spickard, Mo., they are demonstrating that management with a recent timber harvest. “In general, we want to maintain or improve the health of our forests,” said Dusty Walter, AES director of natural resources. “We also want to improve…
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Tackling A Challenge
Jared Decker has received a grant for $3 million to study to cattle genetics
As a beef geneticist and extension specialist, Jared Decker spends a lot of time discussing issues and challenges with Missouri producers, farmers and ranchers. One of those challenges is finding the right cattle for different environments. Cattle that are poorly adapted to their environment don’t perform as well as those that are comfortable with their surroundings. “We’re trying to create…
A Challenge Awaits
Tim Reinbott named Director of Field Operations for MOAES
Tim Reinbott has always loved a challenge. His newest one begins in January. Reinbott, the superintendent at the Bradford Research Center in Columbia, Mo., will move into a new role at the beginning of the New Year. He will replace John Poehlmann as the Director of Field Operations for the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources…
As Heard on Insight: Protecting the Monarch
Thirteen MU Agricultural Research Centers will plant monarch waystations across Missouri
Did you miss the first airing of the sixth installment of our new Insight series? LISTEN NOW to the program or to the extended version of the interview. The monarch butterfly population has seen a steady decline during the past two decades. There are many factors beyond our control, including climate, which negatively impact the monarch population. One way to help, though,…
Growing Agriculture
Agriculture Education Days provide students with vast amounts of information
September and October are plenty busy for the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Centers. Along with the everyday research that takes place at each Center, there were Field Days to be hosted and crops readied for harvest. Mixed in with that busyness are Agriculture Education Days. These days are designed to give high…
The (Academic) Road Less Traveled
Pair of students work on dual degrees through MS/DVM program
For Jill Abel and Brianne Bishop, these days represent the quiet in the middle of the storm. This fall the two are taking nine credit hours in addition to serving as teaching assistants and conducting field trials related to their master’s research as graduate students in the Division of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. That may seem…
Improving Beef Cattle Production
Thompson Research Center takes a look at beef cattle during annual Field Day
SPICKARD, MO. – Creating strategies to enhance beef cattle production was the core focus of the Thompson Research Center Field Day, held Tuesday, Sept. 15. More than 150 farmers, producers and students heard numerous topics on management strategies to improve beef cattle production. “We had a really great crowd and a lot of great presentations,” Superintendent Rodney Geisert said. “Guests…
Fielding Your Questions
Agricultural Research Center Field Days are opportunity to learn about a variety of CAFNR research
Throughout the year, University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources researchers are busy performing studies, collecting data, making recommendations and much more, all to help farmers across the state. Most of the studies occur far from the Columbia campus, in small towns at every corner of Missouri. This regionally relevant research will be on display for the public in…
The Science of a Soil Test
MU Soil Labs help find out what is happening in your soil to help produce profitable crops
One way to start planning for next year’s growing season is to get a soil test and MU’s Soil Fertility Labs are there to help. A soil test is like taking an inventory of nutrients available to plants — which area is too high, too low or just right. While plant growth and prior yields may offer clues to nutrient availability, a producer won’t precisely know until they test their soil.
Rebuilding the Herd
Heifer management helps to produce quality beef
Rebuilding the U.S. cow herd numbers takes more than keeping female offspring to breed. Managing beef heifers is as important as using improved genetics in developing replacements, says David Patterson, professor at College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. As farmers save heifers to breed for increasing their cow herds, careful attention must be paid…