“It’s hard to find a more resilient, optimistic person than the American farmer. And as an integral part of the food system, the University of Missouri continues to deliver science-based information for Missouri’s farms.” — Zac Erwin, MU Extension livestock specialist Despite halting all face-to-face programming due to COVID-19, University of Missouri Extension recognizes the continued need to provide university…
Extension ⋅ Page 1
An Exciting Mission
Rob Kallenbach named associate dean of CAFNR Extension/senior program director of Agriculture and Environment Extension
It was more than 20 years ago when Rob Kallenbach joined the University of Missouri as an assistant professor and state Extension specialist in forage crops. Kallenbach served farmers and producers across the state, educating, answering questions and building relationships. With more experience, Kallenbach gained more responsibility, which in turn led to more leadership opportunities. Those opportunities led to new…
Exploring Careers
Career Exploration Days offer students a look at careers in agriculture, food and natural resources
For years, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has opened the doors of its Agricultural Research Centers to thousands of high school students to showcase its research, programs and academic opportunities. Referred to as Agricultural Education Days, these events also give students an idea of what future careers they can seek with a degree…
A Passion for Rural Communities
Sarah Low’s entire career has been devoted to rural economic development
Growing up, Sarah Low watched acid rain from Chernobyl decimate the industry around her home in southwest Scotland. She watched the economic and social fallout and decided, as an 9-year-old, she wanted to help rural communities. Low’s entire career has been devoted to rural economic development. She recently joined the University of Missouri as the Fred V. Heinkel Professor in…
Impacting the Missouri Beef Industry
Study shows management-intensive grazing has raised economic output of Missouri’s beef industry by more than $125 million every year
Since 1990, the Missouri Grazing Schools have provided its more than 18,000 participants with pertinent information related to management-intensive grazing (MiG). The schools, a partnership between the University of Missouri and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are designed to touch on each aspect of management-intensive grazing, delivering research findings and vital information to its attendees. A recent economic…
Improving Production Practices
Gene Stevens continues to make Crop Water Use App useful for users
As a University of Missouri Extension professor, Gene Stevens’ focus is on researching ways to improve production practices for numerous core crops, such as corn, rice, cotton and soybeans. Stevens, who is located at the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Mo., recently developed the Crop Water Use App, which assists farmers with their irrigation scheduling. Always aware of the…
A Pesky Pest
Kevin Rice is researching ways to battle the Japanese beetle
When Kevin Rice came to the University of Missouri in January, one of the first things he did was hand out a survey to farmers and producers across the state to gauge what insect issues they were dealing with on a regular basis. His inquiries returned two main pests – Japanese beetles and stinkbugs. Rice has devoted a good portion…
Research Center Magazine: Growing the Greenest Grass
Turfgrass pathology group works with a number of grasses through a variety of projects
This story also appears in our University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Center Magazine. Stop by your local Research Center to pick up a copy! You can view the magazine online by clicking here: Road to Discovery. With hot summers and cold winters, growing and maintaining strong grass is an extremely tough job in…
Research Center Magazine: Crafting the Perfect Brew
MU Extension horticulturists researching hops at Bradford
This story also appears in our University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Center Magazine. Stop by your local Research Center to pick up a copy! You can view the magazine online by clicking here: Road to Discovery. Most often used as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, hops have become more popular during…
Providing Leadership Development Opportunities
MU Animal Sciences Youth Leadership Academy returns for second year
The University of Missouri Animal Sciences Youth Leadership Academy returned in 2017 with a focus on teaching high school students more about the livestock industry. The four-day academy allowed an opportunity for networking with industry leaders. The goal of the program is to provide leadership development opportunities for youth in agriculture. The academy is a partnership between MU Extension, the…