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This Month in Ag Connection | Ag Connection - Other Issues Online
A pesticide is any product that kills a pest and includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides to name a few. Some pesticides require the addition of a spray adjuvant. Spray adjuvants are added to pesticide mixtures to improve performance of the chemical and/or reduce application problems. Always read the label to determine if an adjuvant is needed. If the label requires an adjuvant it must be used to prevent making an off-label, illegal application.
Adjuvants include products like buffers, compatibility agents, drift retardants, suspension agents, and surfactants. There are two types of adjuvants: formulation adjuvants and spray adjuvants.
Formulation adjuvants are added to the product by the manufacturer and are listed on the product label as inert ingredients. Spray adjuvants are separate products that are added to spray mixes by the applicator. Pesticides are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency while adjuvants are not.
There are two types of spray adjuvants: activator and special purpose. Activator adjuvants improve pesticide activity by altering the properties of the spray solution. Special purpose adjuvants resolve or prevent an issue with the spray solution.
Activator adjuvants include surfactants, oils and nitrogen-based fertilizer products. Most activator adjuvants improve a pesticide's effectiveness by reducing the surface tension on the leaf. This allows the spray droplet to remain in contact with the leaf for a longer period and increases the absorption rate.
Special purpose adjuvants aid in drift control, compatibility issues or buffering/conditioning the spray solution.
A jar test can be performed to determine if products are compatible. This is done by combining all the products to be put in the spray tank in the proportion and order to be mixed. Details about performing a jar test can be found in University of Arkansas publication https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-2166.pdf.
Improper use of an adjuvant can lead to poor pesticide performance and potential crop injury. Read and follow all label directions for both the pesticide and the adjuvant being used. For more information about adjuvants and proper pesticide mixing techniques, contact a University of Missouri Extension Field Specialist in Agronomy.
Source: Valerie Tate, Field Specialist in Agronomy
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June is National Dairy Month, a time to recognize Missouri dairy farmers and the role the dairy industry plays in agriculture, local economies, and everyday life. Dairy farming requires a year-round commitment to daily animal care and milking while supporting food production and rural communities across the state.
Missouri ranks 25th nationally in number of milk cows and 26th in total milk production, reflecting an industry made up largely of family-run farms that support processing, transportation, and other local businesses while adapting to changing markets and technology.
Dairy products contribute key nutrients to many family diets; however, dairy farming involves more than milk production alone. Producers must focus on animal health and comfort, land and nutrient management, employee safety, and environmental stewardship to name a few. Improvements in herd health monitoring, facility design, and feeding strategies help farms operate efficiently while protecting natural resources.
National Dairy Month highlights the daily work of dairy farm families and the year-round contributions the industry makes to food supply, environmental stewardship and economic stability in Missouri.
University of Missouri Extension supports dairy producers and consumers through research-based education on herd management, production practices, and the dairy industry's role in Missouri agriculture. Learn more about dairy nutrition, animal care, sustainability and the dairy industry by exploring these resources:
Source: Brenda Schreck, Field Specialist in Livestock
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Agricultural production, processing, and related industries are a cornerstone of the Midwest economy, particularly in rural communities. Collectively known as "agribusiness," these segments account for one in ten private-sector jobs in Missouri's nonmetropolitan counties. While agribusiness drives regional wealth, employers face significant workforce challenges that limit growth.
In a recent analysis of businesses across eight Midwest states, including Missouri, 75% identified a shortage of skilled workers as the primary barrier to expanding employment. Agribusinesses employ a larger share of entry-level workers at 47% as compared to the overall private sector at 41%, creating opportunities for individuals without formal post-secondary education. Midwest agricultural producers said farm labor (42%) and truck drivers (16%) were the hardest entry-level positions to fill. Among agriculture-related manufacturers, 46% said production labor positions were the most difficult to hire.
Begin the employee recruitment process by defining the job parameters. Identify the work needed in the operation. Will the work be full-time or part-time? Is the work seasonal or year-round? What time of day and days of the week will labor be needed? From this process, create a job description communicating the needs and expectations of a particular position.
Writing an effective job description is the next step. The job description should include:
There are tools to make this process easier including the job description generator - uvm.edu/aglabor/dashboard/job-description-generator and Farm job description checklist found at Mizzou.us/FarmLabor.
Next consider labor market pools and develop a promotional plan.
Additional labor pool audiences might include:
Follow these steps to develop a promotional plan to recruit farm labor from the labor pool sources.
The final step is to prepare for the hiring process utilizing these best practices.
To access the entire farm labor guide go to: extension.missouri.edu/publications/m199.
Source: Darla Campbell, Field Specialist in Business & Communities
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Pearls of Production will continue its Celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer with a session led by Dr. Louise Bulmer, a leader in equine education and research from Scotland, on June 24.
Dr. Bulmer brings many years of hands-on and academic experience working with horses. She has worked in the equine industry as a riding instructor and trainer, including time with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Along with her practical background, she holds advanced degrees in equine science and veterinary research. This combination of real-world experience and science-based study shapes her work today.
Dr. Bulmer is a Senior Lecturer and Equine Program Team Leader at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC). She leads equine education programs for students at many levels, including further education, undergraduate, and graduate studies. She helps guide students through research projects and teaches a wide range of equine science and management subjects.
In addition to her work at SRUC, Dr. Bulmer guest lectures at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh. She also supervises honors and master's students as they complete research projects focused on horse health and management.
Dr. Bulmer's research focuses on how diet affects horse behavior. She studies how the gut and brain work together and how changes in diet can influence a horse's mood and actions. Her work helps improve understanding of horse welfare and daily care practices.
Her work reaches beyond the classroom. Dr. Bulmer helps shape national equine education and welfare policies in Scotland and across the United Kingdom. She serves as an external examiner for equine programs and has contributed to updates of national education standards. She also played a key role in rewriting the nutrition section of the Scottish Government's Code of Practive for the Welfare of Equidae.
This session highlights the global impact of women working in agriculture and animal science. Dr. Bulmer's career reflects the important role women play in advancing education, research, and animal care around the world.
Event Details
Date: June 24
Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Location: Zoom
Registration: https://pears.io/events/mu/4097/
For more information about Pearls of Production, visit https://tinyurl.com/MU-pearls.
Contact Heather Conrow, field specialist in livestock and statewide poultry specialist with MU Extension at hconrow@missouri.edu with questions.
Source: Heather Conrow, Field Specialist in Livestock
Publishing Information
Ag Connection is published monthly for Northeast and Central areas of Missouri producers and is supported by the University of Missouri Extension, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Managing Editor: Mary Sobba.
Send comments and suggestions to:
Mary Sobba, Agriculture Business Specialist
101 N. Jefferson St., Rm 304
Mexico, MO 65265
(573) 581-3231
sobbam@missouri.edu
