CAFNR

Sep. 29, 2021

FAPRI Releases U.S. Baseline Outlook Report Update

Strong demand from China, smaller supplies and other factors have resulted in higher prices for many agricultural commodities. Projected prices for corn, soybeans, hogs and several other commodities moderate in the years ahead, while cattle prices increase. Economists from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) team release the annual U.S. Baseline Outlook report each spring, and provide an update to that report each fall. This year’s update was prepared beginning the week of Aug. 23. This report is based on information available in mid-August 2021 which updates the 2021 FAPRI baseline outlook prepared earlier this year.
Mason Ward’s extraordinary research portfolio has earned him two undergraduate research awards from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Ward earned the Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology award from the Plant-Insect Ecosystem (P-IE) section of the ESA, as well as the BioQuip Products Undergraduate Scholarship from the Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity (SysEB) section.

Sep. 28, 2021

Taking a Chance

As a freshman, Mason Ward took a chance and applied to the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program with the thought that he would give research a try. Ward wasn’t sure if research would be a major part of his collegiate career, but figured by pushing himself he would certainly learn something new. Now, three years later, Ward’s extraordinary research portfolio has earned him two undergraduate research awards from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Ward earned the Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology award from the Plant-Insect Ecosystem (P-IE) section of the ESA, as well as the…
After multiple internships and professional work experiences related to agriculture communications – and numerous leadership opportunities within CAFNR – Samantha Turner now has the opportunity to share the agriculture message across the state as the newly named director of communications for Missouri Soybeans. Photo courtesy of Samantha Turner.

Sep. 28, 2021

An Opportunity to Share Missouri Agriculture

When Samantha Turner first declared an agricultural education major within the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), she was focused on educating future generations of agriculturists as a high school teacher. Once Turner got into the program and got more involved, she knew that agricultural education was the right path. However, she realized that instead of communicating agriculture to only high school students, she wanted to share that knowledge with individuals throughout Missouri outside of the classroom. After multiple internships and professional work experiences related to agriculture communications – and numerous leadership opportunities within CAFNR…
Castro

Sep. 27, 2021

Seeds of Change

Humberto Castro BS Ag ’50, MS ’59 is not one to normally boast about himself. Even with all of his both business-related and personal successes and accomplishments achieved in the more than nine decades of his life, Humberto prefers to not have the limelight pointed at him. Instead, the man who is still very active at 98 years old, normally lets his actions do the talking. “So we’ll do it for him,” says his oldest son, Leslie Castro. Talk to his family members and they will tell you of a Peru native who first came to the United States in…
Kendra Graham with family.

Sep. 24, 2021

Q&A with Kendra Graham

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? Kendra speaks at Pearls of Production Women in Agriculture. In my role, I provide Missourians with unbiased, research-based information about livestock. I also help producers understand how they can then take that information and apply it specifically to their operation.    MU Extension programs I am involved in as a livestock specialist include Pearls of Production Women in Agriculture, Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer, youth livestock education, and managing forages and livestock. How long have you worked in this position?  I…
Ribbon cutting

Sep. 23, 2021

A New Partnership

Greg DeLine speaks at the event, held Thursday, Sept. 16, at the research site northwest of Columbia. DeLine Holdings and the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) celebrated the grand opening of the DeLine Community Research Site Thursday, Sept. 16, at the site northwest of Columbia. The site is a new collaboration developing outdoor research and educational opportunities to facilitate a better understanding of natural systems and processes. The 94-acre site, which includes a cave, forested areas, and a creek, is owned by DeLine Holdings and will be loaned to the University for a period of…

Sep. 21, 2021

New Director Joins the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center

Aaron Brandt joins the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC), one of the four research, extension and education centers of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), on Oct. 11, as the director. Brandt is no stranger to Missouri agriculture. He grew up in Linn, Missouri, working on his family’s farm. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to join FD-REEC,” said Brandt. “I am excited to come back to Missouri and looking forward to playing an important role in Missouri agriculture.” Brandt will help direct the unique research opportunities…
CAFNR’s most recent partnership with Agriculture Education on the Move is the College’s biggest yet, and brought more than 50 Missouri high school FFA students to the Mizzou campus for a one-day curriculum training. CAFNR students led the training and are pictured, from left to right: Evan Davidson, Lauren Quinlan, Elizabeth Brooks, Hattie Grisham and Reagan Limbach.

Sep. 16, 2021

Agriculture Education on the Move

Agriculture Education on the Move (AEOTM), a program of Missouri Farmers Care, began in 2011 as a way to bring free, hands-on agriculture education to third and fourth grade students throughout the state. John Tummons, an assistant teaching professor of agricultural education and leadership in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS), has been involved in the program since 2014. Tummons has partnered with the program in a variety of ways, including serving as a curriculum advisor. A total of five CAFNR students led the discussions throughout…

Sep. 14, 2021

Q&A with Jim Humphrey

Jim teaches grain bin safety to elementary school students. Photographed are youth testing their strength to see how difficult it is to escape grain waist-deep. If stuck in grain waist deep, it takes twice your weight to pull yourself out of the situation safely. What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?  I work with forage and livestock producers in northwest Missouri. With my position, I present unbiased research-based information, while developing timely and relevant programs and resources for their use.  I provide expertise for the following areas: carcass evaluation, co-product utilization, ration balancing, cattle…

Sep. 13, 2021

Celebrating Fall Harvest Season with Roasted Chestnuts

The Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC) will hold the 15th Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast Festival with a variety of activities and presentations for individuals of all ages. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center in New Franklin. The festival is a signature event of the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) and is open to the public rain or shine. Activities such as samples of fire-roasted, Missouri-grown chestnuts, displays and sales of Missouri specialty agricultural products and wagon rides are part of the event. Cooking demonstrations by Cheryl…