Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the CAFNR experience looks. Mizzou announced that the rest of the spring semester would be taught remotely. Teaching faculty within CAFNR have been working hard to make the transition to remote learning as easy as possible. For example, Marci Crosby, instructor in the Division of Animal Sciences, and Mikaela Adams (pictured), graduate research assistant, are still caring for the horses at the Equine Teaching Facility at the South Farm Research Center in Columbia. They are recording and photographing a lot of that care. Photo courtesy of Marci Crosby.

April 9, 2020

Being Adaptable

Part of CAFNR’s mission is preparing students for a complex, interconnected planet. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, students must be adaptable learners and informed citizens to make purposeful contributions in the world. CAFNR provides these opportunities through exceptional experiential and practical learning experiences based on cutting-edge science and through communicating and engaging with people and the community. Students in CAFNR not only get a degree while in Columbia – they get the entire CAFNR experience. Students gain that experience through award-winning advisors and teachers, research opportunities with internationally renowned scientists, study abroad options tailored to degree programs and in more…
The Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) at the University of Missouri operates a system of Agricultural Research Centers across the state in an effort to meet the regional needs of agricultural producers and natural resource managers. The various facilities play a vital role in the agricultural food chain in numerous ways, including seed variety trials, plant and animal breeding studies, and providing agronomic information. As research ramps down at MU due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Research Centers are working to help move the agricultural food chain along.

April 9, 2020

Moving the Agricultural Food Chain Forward

The Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) at the University of Missouri operates a system of Agricultural Research Centers across the state in an effort to meet the regional needs of agricultural producers and natural resource managers. With nearly 14,000 acres, these research and demonstration facilities host more than 35,000 people each year for field days, Extension activities and other community events. The various facilities play a vital role in the agricultural food chain in numerous ways, including seed variety trials, plant and animal breeding studies, and providing agronomic information. As research ramps down at MU due to the global COVID-19 pandemic,…
Seven University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Centers planted a total of seven acres of hemp throughout the state. Those plantings happened from the end of June to early July. All were between half an acre and three acres.

April 9, 2020

A Unique Opportunity

Last year, Missouri lawmakers passed a law that allowed producers to grow a crop that hasn’t been legal in the state in decades – hemp. The new law required that growers be licensed with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and it also allowed universities to plant hemp right away to collect data for future plantings. Seven University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Agricultural Research Centers planted a total of seven acres of hemp throughout the state. Those plantings happened from the end of June to early July. All were between half an acre and three acres.
Four University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students captured first place at the regional Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon, which was held in conjunction with the American Society of Animal Science’s (ASAS) Midwest Conference last month. Jacob Blank, Madison Filley, Emily Shanks and Anna Tarpey will represent MU at the national competition, which is set to be held in July in Madison, Wisconsin. Four teams will compete at the national competition.

April 2, 2020

Bringing Home a Win

Four University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources students captured first place at the regional Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon, which was held in conjunction with the American Society of Animal Science’s (ASAS) Midwest Conference last month. Jacob Blank, Madison Filley, Emily Shanks and Anna Tarpey will represent MU at the national competition, which is set to be held in July in Madison, Wisconsin. Four teams will compete at the national competition. The idea of the academic quadrathlon (AQ) was conceived in 1967, and the first official AQ competition was held in 1981 as part of the ASAS…
Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Photo by Heather Tearney.

April 2, 2020

Incorporating Problem-Solving into Landscape Design

Tucked away in the CAFNR Courtyard between the Ag Building and Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building is a garden that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary this April. Students in the advanced landscape design course were challenged to revitalize the MU Woodland and Floral Garden in honor of the celebration. Zachary Ignotz is a senior studying plant sciences from Troy, Missouri. As a student in the advanced landscape design course last year, Ignotz created a design that would land him a spot at this year’s University of Missouri Visual Art and Design Showcase. Ignotz received the Award of Merit for his design,…
Portrait of Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher R. Daubert

March 29, 2020

Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert Named to CAST Board of Trustees

Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert was named to the board of trustees for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). His term will run through 2021. CAST was established in 1972 as a result of a 1970 meeting sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, and provides balanced, credible, science-based information about food and agriculture to policymakers, the media, the private sector, and the public.
Bryon Wiegand graduated Lead 21

March 29, 2020

Bryon Wiegand Graduates from Lead21

Dr. Bryon Wiegand, associate director and professor of animal sciences, graduated Feb. 20 from Class 15 of the LEAD21 leadership-development program. The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension who canto lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current positions or future leadership positions.
Portrait of Christopher Daubert

March 29, 2020

Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert elected to IFT Board of Directors

On March 2, Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert was elected to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Board of Directors. The chosen candidates were elected by the organization’s general membership and will officially take office Sept. 1, 2020. Since 1939, the IFT has been a forum for passionate science of food professionals and technologists to collaborate, learn, and contribute all with the goal of inspiring and transforming collective scientific knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of all people around the world.

March 24, 2020

Hunger Heroes

Armed with a goal to increase student participation in the Missouri Youth Institute (MYI), coordinators expanded invitations from high school agricultural education programs to students involved in social studies, language and other high school programs for this year’s event. MYI brings together high school students, teachers and experts to research, discuss and solve local, national and global hunger and food security issues. The event has been hosted on MU’s campus since its start in 2016. This year’s institute took place March 2. “We had 81 students registered this year and the largest group we’ve ever had before was about 51,”…
The outlook for the United States farm economy depends on the implementation of new trade agreements and the evolution of animal and human disease outbreaks, according to the latest analysis of national and global agricultural trends from the University of Missouri.

March 16, 2020

Farm Economy Outlook Depends on New Trade Agreements, Evolution of Disease Outbreaks

The outlook for the United States farm economy depends on the implementation of new trade agreements and the evolution of animal and human disease outbreaks, according to the latest analysis of national and global agricultural trends from the University of Missouri. While net farm income increases in 2020, under a baseline assumption of continued trade friction with China, other indicators of the health of the farm economy are not as positive. However, there is a scenario that incorporates the “Phase 1” trade agreement between China and the U.S. that suggests the possibility of a stronger outlook for U.S. commodity prices…