Pumpkin, oats and fall spices come together in a baked oatmeal that’s warm and comforting and easy to prepare. PUMPKIN OATMEAL INGREDIENTS 1 cup milk ˝ cup oats (old fashioned or quick cooking) ˝ cup pumpkin puree ˝ teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons chopped or sliced nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)...

Try our recipe for some favorite spring produce including peas, carrots, and russet potatoes.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has awarded $1.35 million to University of Missouri Extension for a three-year community-based project to help strengthen support for working families. The personnel responsible for the grant at the University level are Andrew Zumwalt, associate extension professor in the personal finance planning department in the MU College of Human and Environmental Sciences., Graham McCaulley, with the same position and Marco Pantoja, a MU Extension personal financial planning instructor. ...

According to USDA, soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils so they are sustainable for future generations. To do this, we need to remember that soil contains living organisms that when provided the basic necessities of life - food, shelter, and water - perform functions required to produce food and fiber...

A quote from the Song of Solomon says, “Look! Winter is past. The rain is over, and the blossoms have appeared in the land. The season of songbirds has arrived, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.” Is there anything more beautiful or inspiring than springtime in our region of the country? Bring on the beautiful flowers, the green grass, those birds, and lots of sunshine...

Many people outside of agriculture might not remember the farm crisis of the 1980’s. This was a major recession that occurred for those with too much debt in the farm community. Agriculture has always been a risky venture. Farmers are often affected by bad weather. They are affected by low commodity prices and, in my opinion, poor government policies.

Many of us think that being charitable means giving money; however, charitable giving comes in many forms – including gifts of time and knowledge. If you have never thought about setting goals for your charitable giving before, it is a great way to organize your thoughts and focus on what is truly important to you. ...

I have had several questions regarding the same issue on plants in the past few weeks. Most of the plants effected have been oaks, maples and azaleas. I have been asked, what is this and what is it doing to my plant? What everyone is talking about is lichen. ...

It seems that our food supply is constantly under attack by pathogens. The Chipotle Restaurant chain has recently closed 43 restaurants in Washington and Oregon. So far at least 37 cases of the illness have been reported. The outbreak has sent 12 people to the hospital...

It is with sadness that I announce this will be my last article with the Dunklin Daily Democrat. I recently was offered an opportunity to advance professionally and have decided to leave the University of Missouri Extension and take a job in my home state. ...

The loss of employment is devastating to families. Many people are faced with the prospect of having fewer dollars to meet the same bills. However, there are steps that you can take to help ease the pain. People are displaced from employment for a variety of reasons, regardless of the reason, blaming yourself will not solve the problem nor will blaming others. ...

Q: What is a Baseball Curmudgeon? A: A crusty old fogey who doesn't always like the way they do it today. Beating Pittsburg 2 out of 3 in Pittsburg meant a Division title for the Cardinals. Not only that.... it may mean they will be the only 100 game winner in all baseball. ...

Mushrooms have inundated yards from the boot heel to St. Louis and beyond. With that has been a huge increase in the number of questions being asked about mushrooms such as how they grow, what they do and what can be done about them. First and most important, do not eat a mushroom if you are not 100% certain that it is edible. ...

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week is celebrated globally to educate and increase awareness about mitochondrial disease. It takes place every year during the third week of September. Awareness Week 2015 is September 20-26. During this week, affected individuals, their families, friends, and others, join together to sponsor a variety of events to promote outreach and education about mitochondrial disease and the broader impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on human health...

The University of Missouri Extension will be sponsoring a program in October on a current societal issue that often does not get the attention it deserves. According to AARP, approximately 5.8% of children currently live in their grandparent's home and more than 2.5 million grandparents are taking responsibility for these children, often with little involvement from the parents of the child. ...

I know this pest has been discussed in the past but it is one that rarely goes unnoticed and usually generates two important, need-to-know questions. What is it and how do I get rid of it? The sign of infestation comes in the form of a large web on the tips of branches in over 100 different tree species in the United States. ...

I recently attended a seminar on financial emergency preparedness and was impressed with the information provided by the presenters. The citizens of Southeast Missouri are very aware of the dangers Mother Nature can present, earthquakes, tornados, and flooding are all serious threats to our physical health and fiscal health. ...

It is spring, meaning moist and warm. There are many disease pathogens taking advantage of this weather that are affecting plants. One that I have seen on several occasions in the last week attacks azalea. Because we all love the beauty in azalea, this is concerning to say the least...

The crocus and hyacinth are blooming; the iris, tulips and surprise lilies are poking their green leaves up to the sunshine. By the time this is read there will be yellow and white daffodil and jonquil blooming everywhere. Welcome Spring! There is no time to waste, the frigid snow and ice of past weeks has become warm, wet spring weather. ...

Grain sorghum or milo is an international crop. Worldwide, sorghum is a food grain for humans. In the United States, sorghum is used primarily as a feed grain for livestock. Feed value of grain sorghum is similar to corn. The grain has more protein and fat than corn, but is lower in vitamin A. ...

We often hear those who are running for public office state their opinion that the government should be run like a business. In theory, this sounds great as businesses often achieve their goals much more effectively than government does. However, one goal we should all strive to achieve even if governments cannot do so is effective financial management, if not for ourselves, for those who we love and will be the beneficiaries of our hard work or the one's left to clean up the mess of our failure.. ...

Did you know that Missouri is home to more than 450 species of bees? Don't be alarmed by that figure. These pollinators help to fertilize native plants, commercial crops, fruit trees, vegetables and small fruit making each available for consumption...

I recently received a tax update from the IRS providing details on how the health care law is effecting the preparation of tax returns this year. Most are aware that the Affordable Care Act contains tax provisions that will affect your 2014 income tax return and most will be affected by the individual shared responsibility provision this tax season. Although cumbersome, it is important to understand your role in the correct preparation and presentation on your 2014 tax return...

Many of you are starting to ask about vegetables. It doesn't matter if you have been growing a garden as long as you can remember or if you are just thinking about starting, information is always useful. Remember how often Mike and I stress to know what is going on with your soil. ...

This is the opening line of "The Tale of Two Cities" written by Charles Dickens. This is also applicable to Missouri cotton producers. In the January 14, 2015 Cotton and Wool Outlook, the projection of Missouri cotton yields has increased to 1,117 pounds per acre. This is up from the 1,097 pounds per acre in the December report. If this projection holds up, then this will be a new record yield for Missouri cotton. This is 11 pounds per acre over the previous record of 1,106 in 2008...

The VITA Program in Kennett will offer assistance to people who make $53,000 or less and are in need of assistance in preparing their own tax returns. In Kennett, IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals at O.A.K.S Nutrition Center located at 900 Kennett Street beginning on February 5, 2015. ...

Late winter and early spring of 2015 are filled with opportunities to attend garden events offered by the University of Missouri Extension. There are many great workshops happening throughout southeast Missouri in early 2015. Please take a look to see what educational opportunities may interest you...

This is one of the busiest times of the year. This is a time for winter commodity meetings. To make things more complicated this year is that we are having educational meetings to help producers make informed decisions on the 2014 Farm Bill. The regional Soybean meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 14 at the Miner convention Center, Miner, Missouri. ...

On New Year's Day, many participate in superstitions that are a reflection of our desire to usher in good fortune and prosperity for the coming year. Although your location influences which traditions you follow, many in Dunklin County enjoyed pork, black-eyed peas and leafy greens. ...

Although winter has officially arrived it is still important to care for the lawn in southern Missouri. Two different types of grass grow in our area; warm season and cool season. The cool season grasses include fescue and blue grass while the warm season grasses are zoysia and Bermuda...

The Dunklin County University of Missouri Extension Center will soon begin training sessions for the private pesticide applicators license. The private pesticide applicator training is for those individuals who use "restricted use" chemicals for the production of agricultural commodities. ...

It's that time of year again, and I am not referring to Christmas. December is the time of year when we need to start analyzing where we stand with regard to our federal and state tax returns. For business owners and high income earners, it's a time to start considering alternatives to reduce taxable income and deductions available to reduce their tax liability. ...

While they can take some work to put in, the benefit of having a rain garden in a landscape that has drainage issues can be well worth the time it takes to install. A rain garden is a depressed (low lying) area in your landscape that allows water runoff to collect and slowly absorb into the ground instead of letting water move freely over topsoil, eroding soil into streams. ...

Cotton is a very interesting crop. It has a lot of diversity. If you look at the botany of the species, you will see that it is a warm season plant. It is a perennial grown as an annual. It is classified as a woody shrub and as a C3 plant. Background information will show that this refers to the type of photosynthesis that the plant uses. Cotton is in good company since 85 percent of the plant species have this classification. C3 plants use only the C3 photosynthesis...

I once read a Peanuts cartoon in which Linus informs Charlie Brown that "worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening, it only stops you from enjoying the good." We live in an uncertain world filled with "what if's." What if I lose my job? What if I become disabled or die? These are questions we all worry about and certainly something we would prevent if possible. ...

Since joining university of Missouri Extension over two decades ago, I have always enjoyed working on water quality issues. I have participated in many in-service opportunities over the years. I am currently serving on the Dunklin and Pemiscot County Soil and Water Conservation Districts...

The University of Missouri Extension will be sponsoring a program in November on a current societal issue that often does not get the attention it deserves. According to AARP, approximately 5.8% of children currently live in their grandparent's home and more than 2.5 million grandparents are taking responsibility for these children, often with little involvement from the parents of the child. ...

An idea that has grown in popularity in recent years is miniature gardens. This idea has seen resurgence from use in the 1970's when terrariums were used to create miniature landscapes. What are the benefits of trying a miniature garden yourself? Miniature gardens are tiny mini-landscapes prepared just for fun. ...

It has often been referred to as the American dream, to own your own home. The decision to purchase a house may be the single most important decision any of us make. It is a major decision and consumes the majority of most family's monthly budget. For some, due to bad decisions in their past or because of their current circumstances, the ability to obtain financing to purchase a home is not an option and they must rent for the time being. ...

During the summer there are many leaf diseases that have the opportunity to attack trees. These often show symptoms as spots on the leaf. There are also many other non-disease issues that cause trees to decline over the summer. Taking time to maintain trees in the spring and again in the fall can help to determine what you are dealing with and plan for better tree health...

The University of Missouri Extension has what often seems like an endless amount of educational materials and publications designed to help educate and improve the lives of Missourians. One such publication, titled "Living on Less", outlines over 80 ideas to help you spend less and still live well. ...

This has been an interesting growing season for our southeast Missouri crops. While planting was delayed by cool, wet conditions, most of our crops are about two weeks later than normal. Having said that, August 15 is considered to be the last effective bloom date for cotton...

I recently received a telephone call from a citizen in Dunklin County about selling their home. I was asked how someone would sell their home without hiring a real estate agent and if I thought it was worth the time and trouble. I informed the person that it is difficult to sell your home without the assistance of a real estate agent, but many people do so every day. ...

Potatoes have been actively growing and, in some cases, new (small) potatoes have already been harvested. For those who are waiting until the tuber grows large enough to be used as a baked potato, or for those who are waiting until the tuber has stored as much energy as possible, there is still a bit of time left before harvest. ...

On Wednesdays of this week, I had the opportunity to attend a Pigposium-Respect the Rotation Field Day at the Northeast Arkansas Research and Extension Center at Keiser. There were six stops on the field tour with excellent presentations. This event was also well attended...

Last month, I discussed how to rebuild your credit, once problems arise. This month, I would like to consider ways to prevent those problems. Debt management is the practice of maintaining control over your credit and debt load. To manage debt, one must be able to look at their situation objectively, to identify problem areas and places where changes might be made to improve their circumstances. If you are going to review your credit situation yourself, the following tips may be helpful...

This year has been such a contrast with last year. We have gone from exceptional drought to prolonged wet conditions. When the rains began, it was welcomed by everyone. July and August rains are sometimes called million dollar rains by those in the agricultural community. Rain that this time of the year really helps the crops to grow to grow and producers can stop their irrigation. By not irrigating, they can save a lot of money on fuel costs...

Fresh water concerns in the U.S. and world I have written on a number of occasions about the vast water resources available to Southeast Missouri producers. When I arrived in Southeast Missouri in 1990 to accept the agronomy specialist position in Dunklin County, it didn't take me long to realize that Southeast Missouri was unique in crop production compared with the rest of the state. ...

Anthracnose is a foliar disease caused by a series of fungi that affect shrubs, shade trees and garden plants. The plant will dictate which fungus causes the anthracnose. For example on cucumber it could be Colletotrichum while on trees it might be Discula (dogwood), Apiognomonia (oak or sycamore) or Kabatiella (maple). The fungus overwinters in debris or in cankers producing spores in April and May when it is cool and moist. These form small spots to large blotches on foliage...

This has been an unusual planting season, but a lot of progress has been made this past week. One thing that all of us have learned the past few years is that we are not in control of our circumstances. Whether it is a homeowner planting a garden or a commodity producer trying to get their fields planted, we do not have control over the weather...

One of the frustrating things about disease issues on ornamentals such as hollyhocks and peach trees is that by the time the symptoms of the disease show up, the opportunity to control that disease is gone. Two diseases that qualify for this problem are hollyhock rust and peach leaf curl...

On Tuesday of this week, I had an opportunity to be a presenter at Ecology Day at South Elementary School in Kennett. My topic was insects. I shared interesting information based on my experiences and knowledge. I discussed the importance of honeybees and shared how scout bees communicate with other bees about where to find the nectar source. ...

Due to the wet weather conditions and the long spring, conditions are right for large patch on zoysia. Although it can attack bermuda grass, large patch is usually more of a problem for zoysia grass. The disease associated with large patch creates large brown areas in the lawn that will increase in size as they age. ...

Gardening is an activity that benefits people of all ages. There are many opportunities including vegetable, herb or flower gardening. Gardening can be done in small plots or larger plots such as community gardens. One of the benefits of gardening is that it provides physical exercise. ...

This time of year I get calls about many things so it is easy to come up with a topic to cover for this article. This week the topic is Tent Caterpillar. The question is, "what is the webbing in my tree caused from?" Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, is a common defoliator of trees in Missouri. ...

We all remember last year and the warm temperatures that we experienced in early March. We were able to get our crops in earlier due to this extra heat. To put things in perspective, let's look at the March 1 through April 10 total rainfall and average temperature. ...

Although some may disagree henbit is not a word of curse. It is the name given to one of two winter annuals that are prevalent in the lawn, and in some cases fields, this time of year. What are winter annuals? A winter annual is a plant whose seed germinates in the fall, survives in winter and grows quickly in late winter or early spring. ...

University of Missouri Extension has begun a process of making changes in not only the structure of the organization but also in how we deliver programs. On January 1, 2013 our organization went from eight regions to seven. More importantly, the St. Louis and Kansas City areas were combined into a single, urban region. While there was major reshuffling of some regions, the Southeast region went from 16 to 18 counties. We added Oregon and Shannon counties...

I have many requests that come in on how to plant or what to grow and when to plant it. When discussing ornamentals or growing fruits and vegetables there are always at least two ways it can be done. Create the perfect area by spending money to get what you need or thinking outside of the box to create the perfect area without breaking the budget. Below are some ideas that might help you get started without breaking the bank...

The impact of Bt corn adoption by U.S. producers Corn is a very important crop in the U.S. and in the international community. The word corn comes from the English for grain. Around the World, it is generally known as maize. Maize comes from a Spanish word, "mahiz," which means "that which sustains us." It is the number one grain in the world, providing twenty-one percent of the global nutrition. ...

National Garden Bureau has declared 2013 the year of the watermelon. What a great excuse to discuss such a juicy, sweet fruit. Watermelon's scientific name is Citrullus lanatus from the family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousin to the cucumber, pumpkin and squash...

Cotton breeding has come a long way. I had had the experience of being involved with two cotton breeding programs. I was involved with the LSU cotton breeding program lead by Dr. Jack Jones. I learned a lot about the various traits such as smooth leaf, glandless, nectariless and...

It is true that the soil around us is often taken for granted. The environment contained in the soil supports the flowers we enjoy looking at and the food we grow and eat. If this soil is well maintained, it will feed the plants we desire. Think about what can be done to help maintain a healthy soil capable of growing lush plants...

Each year in February the University of Missouri with the help of the State Fruit Experiment Station hosts the peach and fruit meeting. This year the meeting will be held at the Hickory Log at 1314 business highway 60 in Dexter, Missouri on February 12, 2013...

How government nutrition advice impacts consumers The Amber Waves electronic magazine is an USDA publication by the Economic Research Service (ERS). This agency is the main source of economic information and research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture...

I have seen several articles coming out saying that Japanese beetle populations are on the rise in Missouri. The Japanese beetle has been in Missouri for over 20 years and has been showing itself in great numbers for the last 4 to 5 years in southeast Missouri...

2012 was the warmest year on record in Missouri since 1895, when established instrumental temperature records began, according to Pat Guinan, extension climatologist with the University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Program. Combined with the lack of rainfall for the entire state, we experienced exceptional drought conditions in the Southeast region and most of the state...

Each year I encourage attendance at the Ag Expo held in Poplar Bluff, MO at the Black River Coliseum. I often see many people I know from Dunklin County and have the opportunity to talk with them face to face during the Expo. Although there are many family and child friendly events (dairy cow, petting farm, toy tractor pull and garden activities) each year at the expo I will highlight some of the activities that may be most interesting to the agriculture community. ...

January and February are busy months for extension specialists. We have scheduled several production conferences, pesticide applicator training, and it looks like we will have the University of Missouri Scouting School again this year. On Thursday, January 26, the Regional Soybean Meeting will be held at the Miner Convention Center, Miner Missouri. ...

Here we are during some of the shortest and coldest days of the year. This time of year is usually a good time to stay inside and leave the garden at rest. If you have time on your hands and need something to keep you occupied what you can accomplish is the rescue of your garden tools. I may have provided this information before but the truth is if you protect your garden tools they will serve you for life...

Private pesticide applicator training sessions scheduled in 2013 The Dunklin County University of Missouri Extension Center will soon begin training sessions for the private pesticide applicators license. The private pesticide applicator training is for those individuals who use ?restricted use? chemicals for the production of agricultural commodities. ...

The 2012 watermelon meeting is held each year at the conclusion of the growing season. This meeting once again provided new information for 61 attendees and producers in the southeast portion of Missouri and northeast Arkansas. Many attendees left with information that will be used during the next growing season...

The watermelon growers meeting continues to improve. In addition to Dr. Reed Smeda and David Dunn from the University of Missouri and Mr. Bob Garino with the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service we have added Jason Hanselman with the Watermelon Promotion Board. The meeting will cover soils, weeds, promotion and the future for our area. In addition, application has been made for 2 Certified Crop Advisor CEU credits for those CCA's who attend...

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I had the opportunity to attend the Certified Crop Advisors Conference held each November at the University of Missouri Delta Center. This annual program was started to assist certified crop advisors with their continuing education requirements...

2012 Watermelon Growers Meeting On Wednesday, December 5, 2012 University of Missouri Extension will again host the annual Watermelon Grower's Meeting with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the American Legion Building in Kennett, MO. Sponsors for this event include International Paper Company, Plant Agra, Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Siegers Seed Company, Syngentia Seeds, TEVA Corporation and Yara North America...

I was in Columbia last week attending our extension Fall Conference and an Agricultural and Natural Resource (ANR) Conference. I really enjoyed visiting with co-workers from throughout the state. A good bit of the agricultural conference dealt with the drought and its consequences in Missouri...

Fall is the time of year to plant bulbs that will bloom in spring or early summer but it is also the time of year to dig up many bulbs that may not be able to withstand our winter soils. When asked if certain bulbs need to be dug up before winter the reply depends on the growing situation. ...

A GrandFamily/Kinship Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, November 15 at the Divine Holiness Outreach Center in Caruthersville Missouri located at 1109 E. 18th Street from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The conference is free, but pre-registration is required to insure adequate seating, materials and lunch. To register, you may the Pemiscot County University of Missouri Extension Office at 573-333-0258. The registration deadline is November 9th...

Likely due to the abnormal summer weather patterns followed by the cool and wet fall, it seems that rust has exploded on cedar (juniper) trees this year. Many of you are asking, "what can be done about it?" The first thing is to determine which rust is present. ...

With the cooler, wet weather there has been a significant increase in the number of tiny flies in the house. What can be done? Is there a magic solution? The lifecycle of the fruit fly usually occurs in 12 to 14 days, going from egg to adult. As an adult they are attracted to fruit but if there is none available they will live inside drains or in damp towels, dishtowels or mops...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is providing the free pesticide collection event for Missouri households and farmers. Pesticides from businesses, pesticide production facilities, pesticide distributors, pesticide retailers and the like cannot be accepted. This collection event will be taking place in Kennett on Saturday Oct. 6th from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Kennett Compost Station. The Kennett Compost Station is located at 18464 County Road 508, Kennett Missouri...

The cooler weather has been wonderful for both animal and plant alike. Recent weather has been a welcome vacation from the heat of past months. Add a little rain here and there and fall is shaping up nicely. Each year we do our best to stay indoors during the dog-days of summer and this year the heat kept us inside more than usual. Gardens and yards may have been neglected while the bare minimum was done to keep things alive, mostly watering. September is a month for renewal...

While looking over several cotton fields this week, I realized that we don?t have much time left in the season. We have about two weeks left until the last effective bloom date around the middle of August. This is the last date on which a white bloom can mature into a harvestable boll. ...

As I was riding my bike along Highway 412 south of Kennett, I saw some Johnsongrass that had been sprayed and was turning color. In Missouri, Johnsongrass is classified as a noxious weed and there is a noxious weed law that the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture is responsible for administering through a county weed control board. The county prosecuting attorney is responsible for prosecution of all weed statutes, so designated. Another weed that is one this list is kudzu...

How are you holding up to the heat? Think about that question and how much water you have been drinking to keep yourself hydrated. The human body is composed of between 60 and 70% water, depending on the age. Now compare that to some plant species which may hold between 70 and 95% water...

"My tomato's looked great earlier this week and now they are rotting. Can I do anything about this blight?" This is a commonly heard statement, especially this summer. What can be done? In many cases the culprit that is causing tomatoes to rot is not a disease but a physiological condition common to tomato. ...

I was hoping that after the last rain that we might see some improving conditions. With our high temperatures and lack of rainfall, I was not surprised that the Drought Monitor has upgraded Southeast Missouri to reflect the dryer conditions. This week our cotton growing area is either in the extreme or severe drought categories. Last week we had over 8 percent of Missouri in the Bootheel area in the severe drought category. This week, the extreme drought covers 8.06 percent...

They're back! Yes, the Japanese beetle have completed metamorphosis and the adults are back to enjoy a smorgasbord of leafy tissue in the garden. Is there anything that can be done to reduce the population? The Japanese beetle spends most of its life (10 months) underground as a small, white, c-shaped grub that feeds on the roots of grass. ...

Editor's Note: Sarah Denkler was out of the office this week. The following column was originally ran on May 11, 2008. They are the smallest bird found only in the western hemisphere from Alaska to Chile, with the smallest of the 339 member family at 2.2 grams. ...

By now warm season lawns of Bermuda or zoysia grass should be green and actively growing. These types of turf grass are relatively easy to maintain if cared for properly. These following tips will help build a healthy lawn. Both Bermuda and zoysia grass should be mowed at a height of 1.5 inches. ...

Transplants can come from the grower or retail center, from a pot that is too small for the plant or from cuttings that have been taken, grown and are the correct size for transplanting. If lucky, friends who enjoy sharing plants will pass on healthy specimens right out of the ground. These need to be planted quickly to ensure as little stress to the plant as possible...

The peach and fruit meeting will once again be held in Malden, Missouri at the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center on Tuesday, February 28. We will start with dinner and registration at 5:30 pm before beginning the educational portion of the meeting...

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. It is hard to believe that 2011 is over. Today marks the traditional start of the news year's resolution. One that should be considered is "to do better" at those things which are completed each year. Not only can this resolution make it to the end of the year but it improves as the year moves on, providing a sense of accomplishment as it is attained...

As the pecan harvest in 2011 moves closer to completion what remains are piles of pecan shells. Whether these shells are available in large quantities from an orchard or in small supply from the backyard some have asked what alternatives there are available other than burning the shells?...

Several weeks ago, I wrote an update on cellulosic ethanol. This is a bio-fuel produced from wood, grasses, or the non-edible parts of plants. While the use of bio-fuels has been controversial, their use is mandated by Congress by the The Energy Policy Act of 2005...

Many of us may harvest that last vegetable and then forget about our gardens until spring. We have discussed here that we should be taking soil samples and adding amendments now so that our garden will be ready to go in spring. What else can be done to aid our garden soil?...

I received a request to review an article from the University of Missouri Alumni Association today about a local cotton producer. I was asked to provide a link for Missouri?s cotton production compared with the other states. One of the references that I found was from a Missouri Department of Agriculture Blog, ?Thinking Outside The Barn.? The featured article was, ?Cotton Crop is Valued in Missouri.? This was posted on September 24, 2010 during the Sustainable Cotton Summit conducted by the University of Missouri?s Textile and Apparel Management Department. ...

In the fall you need to do a little extra to make sure your perennial food sources will be healthy once spring comes around again. Let's talk about the perennials asparagus, strawberry and rhubarb. In each case fall clean-up is a must before letting the plant go dormant in fall...

When the drought broke in our area with the much higher rainfall that we experienced in March and April, I knew with our normal weather patterns that we could be in a rainfall deficit before the end of the cropping season. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor as of August 2, much of our prime cotton region in Missouri is now considered abnormally dry. ...

According to the Compendium of Cotton Diseases, Bacterial Blight has been around for over 100 years. This disease is caused by the organism (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Malvacearum). I have seen this disease in the past but I have never seen it cause economic yield loss. ...

Blackberries and raspberries are both brambles from the Genus Rubus and related to the rose. Blackberries are ripe when they lose their shine and raspberries are ripe when they separate at the core. Blackberries are drought tolerant once established but still require regular watering during fruit development. Raspberries are grown in many climates. Both should be fertilized with a complete fertilizer after harvest to ensure good growth and preparation for winter...

Two voracious pests are letting us know they are present in the garden. They have begun to infest many fruits and vegetables around our homes. In each case they leave a great amount of damage. Squash bugs feed on cucurbits such as watermelon, cucumber, squash and pumpkin. ...

According to Wikipedia, DDT is a chemical with a long, unique and controversial history. It was synthesized in 1874 by a German Chemist, Othmar Zeidler. Its insecticidal properties were not discovered until 1939, by a Swiss chemist, Paul Muller. After he discovered that it killed flies, mosquitoes and other insects...

This has been an unusual year and the weather continues to have an impact. According to the Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending May 8, planting of all crops was almost nonexistent for last week. In the Southeast Region, only .1 days was available for fieldwork with the state average of 3.4 percent...

A few weeks ago, I received the newsletter from the Plant Protection Program at the University of Missouri. One of the articles was about the Soil Test Summary 2010 for soil samples sent to the university soils labs located at Portageville and Columbia. ...

The beginning of the year is a very busy time for extension agricultural specialists. We attend training, make plans and conduct meetings. At the present time, I am one of three agronomists in the Southeast Region. When I arrived here over 20 years ago, we had nine regional agronomists. Only one of the positions is currently open and that is the position in New Madrid County...

On August 1, 2009, my article that appeared in the Daily Dunklin democrat was entitled, ?Africa could feed the world.? This was based on two reports. The first report was compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The second was issued jointly by the FAO and the World Bank. This report concluded that 988 million acres straddling 25 African countries are suitable for farming...

As I read many popular news articles, I learn that environmentalists do not like our U.S. crop production systems, our government farm programs, and in particular do not like cotton. By using mechanized equipment, chemicals and synthetic fertilizers U.S. producers are among the most efficient in the world. Compare our production system with the Chinese in which humans provide the labor. I will admit that the Chinese cotton is cleaner since it is all hand harvested...

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, large portions of Dunklin and Pemiscot County are classified as being in the extreme drought category. The remainder of both counties is classified as severe drought. Regardless of how you look at our situation, we are dry. Within the past several weeks, I have been contacted by our state extension climatologist, Pat Guinan, and by the National Weather Service in Memphis regarding our crop situation and what to expect during the winter...

A GrandFamily conference has been scheduled for Friday, November 12 at the Pemiscot County Special School District from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Special School District is located at 1317 W. State Highway 84 near Hayti, Missouri. This is the second conference organized for grandparents...

Sometimes the ideas for these articles call to me, literally. I have received many calls in the last week surrounding the main topic of grass. Inquiring individuals want to know what type to grow, when to fertilizer, how to seed it and when to seed...

This has been such an unusual year. We had spring flooding earlier in the year but we were able to get our crops planted. Then it turned hot and dry. A considerable amount of soil moisture was lost by early July. We were without significant rainfall in much of Dunklin and Pemiscot County until the rains we received last week. While they helped settle the dust for a short period of time and greened up the grass, we still have a long-term moisture deficit...

Although I would not call it fall, it is still August and it is HOT, I have noticed that fall webworm have begun to build nests and defoliate trees. Fall webworm infests more than 100 different tree species in the United States and Canada including forest, shade and fruit varieties. The most notable sign of an infestation is the large white webs that encompass the tips of trees...

According to the Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending August 3rd, our cotton is 24 days ahead of last year and 20 days ahead of normal. The higher temperatures this year have led to a much earlier crop and the loss of yield potential for the non-irrigated cotton. ...

With the lack of water and high temperatures our plants are in stress. The heat of late summer can do as much or more damage to plants as winter ice. How can we better prepare our lawns and plants to withstand severe weather conditions? Soil tests are a great way to begin a healthy relationship with your yard and garden. ...

On July 14, I attended the Integrated Pest Management Field Day at the University of Missouri's Bradford Research and Extension Center located near Columbia. As one might expect, the primary theme was dealing with weeds that are resistant to the Roundup Ready system in a number of crops. The trails that we saw dealt with soybeans, corn, and grain sorghum. Southeast Missouri is the only area with cotton and rice, so there was no discussion about these crops...

For many of you, we are finally beginning to harvest produce from the garden and although the heat and lack of water are causing much concern for our plants, we are enjoying the reward that goes with our labor. Congratulations on your accomplishments...

Although the Japanese beetle has been in Missouri for over 20 years, it has just recently began showing itself as the highly destructive pest in our landscapes, gardens and orchards. The adult Japanese beetle is about 1 inch round beetle with a green and orange or copper metallic back and black sides with white spots of small hairs. It has a veracious appetite for green vegetation and does not differentiate between herbaceous ornamentals, fruit, vegetables or trees...

The Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending June 20 contains both good and bad news. Cotton squaring has reached 47 percent which is 14 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of normal. We now have blooms on some plants and when blooms appear it is considered the day that the bolls begin to set. Cotton condition is rated 7 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 3 percent excellent...

In talking with many people in the last few weeks, I realize how fortunate that we have been in Missouri during this planting season. According to the Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending June 6, our percentage of fields with squares is six percent which is 16 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. ...

Now that the heat has arrived the garden plants are growing like weeds. If you are like me you have been fighting against the weeds in your garden and working to keep fungi from taking over during the wet weather. Instead of fungi, how many of you have had your vegetable plants mutilated by many small holes, sometimes referred to as 'shot hole' in their leaves?...

While many of us might consider the Eastern Red Cedar a "weed tree", when fully grown the tree, which is actually a juniper, can be a great part of a landscape. One of the best attributes of the tree is the ability to block unwanted views both in summer and winter or to function as a hardy wind break...

According to the Missouri Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending April, 25 we are about where we were last year. We are two days ahead of last year but about 2 days behind normal. A look back at last season, we had a good start, but the rains set in. We were behind all planting season and the crop did not catch up with our heat units until late in the season...

For those who have zoysia or bermuda grass lawns, be aware spring and fall are good times to look for rhizoctonia large patch. Although it can attack bermuda grass, large patch is usually more of a problem for zoysia grass. Large patch disease creates large brown spots in the lawn that will increase in size as they age. ...

Green grass is sometimes an elusive desire of those who manage their own lawns. Many problems that are seen in lawns are a result of poor mowing or improper fertilizer applications. If signs of disease show up in a lawn the causes usually happen earlier in the year...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that money would be available to improve the water quality in the Mississippi River Basin. The Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) will provide approximately $320 million over the next four years for voluntary projects in priority watersheds located in 12 key states. ...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that money would be available to improve the water quality in the Mississippi River Basin. The Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) will provide approximately $320 million over the next four years for voluntary projects in priority watersheds located in 12 key states. ...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a link on their website entitled, ?What are Biopesticides? This link explains that they are pesticides derived from natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. For example, canola and baking soda have pesticidal applications and are considered biopesticides. Another biopesticide that is very frequently sold for roaches, ants, and fleas is boric acid...

One of the most popular plants that we see this time of year is the Poinsettia. Many are sent as gifts to family members or to businesses with the idea that they will sit out for 1-2 months and then be tossed into the garbage with all the other disposable decorations. The truth is that you can keep a poinsettia alive all year and use it again for the next winter season...

The story I remember as a child was that my father talked my mother into eating a persimmon in September and because of that one taste, she won't eat them to this day. Sour (pucker your lips sour) is what a persimmon tastes like when it has not ripened. Pick one up from the ground that is soft to the touch and orange in color and you will bite into a sweet little fruit unlike anything you normally get from the store...

The theme of the conference is ?Sharing and Caring, Challenges and Triumphs; Resources for Relatives Raising Children.? The conference is free, but pre-registration is required to insure adequate seating, materials and lunch. To register, you may call Jackie Dover at 1-800-392-8771. Or you fill out a registration form on the brochure and mail to SEMO Area on Aging, 1219 N. Kingshighway, Suite 100, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. The registration deadline is November 3rd...

Fall is officially here. If you didn't know it by the date then you might know it by the sight of chrysanthemum's blooming in your neighbor's yard. What is it that makes this plant so loved by many? Chrysanthemum means "golden flower", from the greek chryos, meaning gold and anthos, meaning flower. ...

University of Missouri Extension's mission is to provide educational opportunities to help our citizens. The broad areas of concerns are related to Human Environmental Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Youth, Community Development, Business Development, and Continuing Education...