A new tool developed by University of Missouri Extension’s state soybean specialist, Andre Froes de Borja Reis, can indicate soybean growth and anticipate yield deviations before the end of the season.

“This tool is designed to predict soybean development and yield based on crop growth models,” Reis said. “It simulates soybean growth in various regions of Missouri, using both historical and current weather data.”

Soybean Growth Monitoring reports will inform farmers about how the weather and growing conditions in 2024 are affecting soybean development and yield, he said. “For example, the reports will indicate whether the 2024 season is likely to result in a higher yield compared to previous years, or how adverse weather conditions during the 2024 season might impact the yield months before harvest.”

“There’s the idea that we need to have more diverse agricultural systems to support agricultural land and human health as well,” Nelson said. “We need to move the whole system forward.”

Nelson explains that much of the modern, large-scale agriculture production models are stuck in what she calls a “simplification trap,” meaning the system lacks diversity, but there are other influences that keep producers from diversifying the landscape.

Equine Teaching Facility faculty and staff work with Mizzou engineer Jian Lin and doctoral student Morgan Miller as they develop the next generation of sensors to improve horse welfare.

Dr. Harriet Kung, U.S. Department of Energy leader, delivered remarks at Mizzou on Nov. 14 as part of the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Read on for a Q&A with Dr. Kung.

Six CAFNR alumni were honored at a special ceremony Friday, Nov. 8.

CAFNR has existing research, teaching and Extension programs that are nationally and internationally recognized. In order to highlight the recognized strength of existing or future programs, we established criteria for Programs of Distinction to recognize select programs that exemplify CAFNR’s Drive To Distinction. CAFNR’s Programs of Distinction, together with our academic programs, define our impact on Missouri’s agriculture and natural resource economies while providing a roadmap for how CAFNR addresses grand societal challenges. Visit the Programs of Distinction webpage for more information.

The call for proposals for this year’s competition is now open. Please check your email for additional information. You may reach out to your division director or the CAFNR Office of Research if you have any questions.

Proposals must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2025.

The CAFNR Grants Office would like to say thank you to everyone who attended the CAFNR Grants Office’s second annual fall workshop, Grants Aren’t Scary. Participants covered a number of topics relevant to new investigators and others involved in the research pipeline. If you missed the workshop and are interested in this material, reach out to David Lankitus at dlankitus@missouri.edu for recordings of the presentations and for the slideshow.

Kelly Nelson, Assess Agronomic Impacts following Application of Anhydrous Ammonia with CENTURO® Nitrogen Stabilizer in Corn, Koch Agronomic Services, 10/1/24-12/1/25, $26,600

Felix Fritschi, Root system contributions to sustainable soybean production, United Soybean Board, 10/1/24-9/30/25, $297,459

Patrick Westhoff, Agricultural Policy and Market Analysis 2024-2025, USDA, 9/29/24-9/30/25, $2,023,000

John Tanner, Investigating the Proline Cycle as a Potential Cancer Therapy Target, NIH, 9/15/24-7/31/25, $419,478

Thomas Bonnot, LiDAR Applications in Priority Geographies Phase 2, Missouri Department of Conservation, 7/1/24-6/30/25, $84,817

Feng Lin, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Climate-Smart Soybean Farming in Sustainable Agriculture: Research and Educational Initiatives, Southern Illinois University (NIFA), 7/1/24-6/30/24, $32,348

Bongkosh Vardhanabhuti, Mapping and improving functional properties of Procream for clean-label applications, Dairy Management, Inc., 9/1/24-12/31/26, $225,811

Andrew Scaboo, Discovering and deploying genetic solutions across maturity groups for durable resistance to multiple nematodes, University of Georgia (United Soybean Board), 10/1/23-8/31/24, $50,000

150 years after it was founded, MU’s important collection of insects has a story to tell us
Columbia Missourian

Stomach That: Whether a meal before workout or post workout is the better option
The Telegraph Online

How to climate-proof crops: scientists say the secret’s in the dirt
Nature

$25 million USDA grant to the University of Missouri
St. Joseph Post

Sheep numbers hold steady in Midwest
Iowa Farmer Today

After the bloom: Farmers develop products and markets for emerging crops
Jefferson City News Tribune

Frugal farmer finds weird byproducts for livestock feed
The Farmer

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