Stories

Among its many strengths, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station (MOAES) provides research faculty with a wide variety of real-world conditions to test and develop strategies for agricultural production, based on the geographical and climatic differences in Missouri. These CAFNR laboratories also provide graduate students with ample opportunities to lead their own projects, while still providing the same important research findings for farmers and producers across the state. For example, Haylee Schreier, a senior research associate who defended her thesis and earned her graduate degree in May 2022, has used electricity to rid fields of weeds. Photo courtesy of Haylee Schreier.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: ‘A Major Part of the Research Engine’

Graduate students play a vital role in the research enterprise at the MOAES REECs.
It was 30 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 40 weather stations – 32 of which provide real-time weather updates. The network covers 30 counties in Missouri.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Weather Updates at Your Fingertips

Missouri Mesonet offers real-time weather updates across the state.
CAFNR’s research farms offer area farmers and producers region-specific information and data. Because the sites are spread throughout the state, each farm does unique research. The Career Exploration Days showcase how that uniqueness translates into possible careers.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Exploring Careers

Career Exploration Days offer students a look at careers in agriculture, food and natural resources.
The Fisher Delta REEC was established in 1959 in Portageville, Mo., and was created to provide research and educational programs unique to the Missouri Bootheel region. In addition to a number of new hires to lead the research programs at the REEC, Fisher Delta has also invested in new infrastructure in an effort to continue its research excellence. A newly renovated soybean breeding laboratory and an updated greenhouse facility are the two biggest improvements. Photo courtesy of Aaron Brandt.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: A Community Asset

Infrastructure improvements, new faculty allow Fisher Delta REEC to build on its strong community relationships.
CAFNR serves as a regular collaborator with USDA-ARS, including numerous current projects within the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit. One of those projects is focused on improving upon traditional soil carbon modeling approaches by incorporating measurements from multiple soil sensors. Part of the funding for the project is coming from the USDA-ARS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence. Photo courtesy of Ken Sudduth.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Farm of the Future — The Digital Age of Agriculture

CAFNR, USDA-ARS collaboration helps farmers adopt digital technologies to improve their operations.
Thompson, part of the Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (REEC) is continuing to build on its prestigious research resume. With the help of a USDA Rural Business Development Grant, the Research Farm has developed its own feedlot, allowing specialists the opportunity to feed and keep cattle in the state and build Missouri’s economic impact.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Building Missouri’s Economic Impact

Thompson's feedlot allows specialists the opportunity to feed and keep cattle in the state.
Andrew Thomas, a research assistant professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri, has received a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the project, Moving American Elderberry into Mainstream Production and Processing. The award is for $5,345,255 over a four-year period.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: A Big Plan for a Small Berry

Andrew Thomas, research assistant professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, has received a $5 million Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant
(Left to right) Jay Chism, Dusty Walter, Jeff Case and Aaron Brandt were hired as directors of the Southwest REEC, Central Missouri REEC, Northern Missouri REEC and Fisher Delta REEC, respectively. Walter is joined by three assistant directors due to the size and complexity of the Central Missouri REEC. Tim Reinbott is the assistant director for natural resources, Andrew Biggs serves as the assistant director for crops and Bryon Wiegand is the interim assistant director for livestock.

Sep. 15, 2022

CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: New Faces in New Places

New directors, resident faculty focused on driving the MOAES to distinction.
A soybean field in southern Missouri near harvest.

Sep. 13, 2022

Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center Releases Missouri Farm Income Outlook

State-level report identifies key changes in projected net farm income.
A brown haired woman is leaning over a tree showing something on the tree to the man to her left.

Sep. 12, 2022

Q&A with Katie Kammler

Katie is a horticulture specialist serving the east-central region.