By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri will host its annual Crop & Pest Management Field Day on July 8, 2026, in Columbia, where attendees will learn about new tools for monitoring soil moisture across the state. A key highlight of the event will be advancements from the Missouri Hydrology Information Center (MoHIC), a collaborative effort involving MU Extension along with state and federal partners to expand soil moisture monitoring systems.
These newly developed tools are designed to support agricultural management, drought monitoring, and long-term water resource planning. MU Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor will lead a session explaining how soil moisture sensor technology works and how growers can use the data to improve crop yields, reduce water use, and limit nutrient runoff. The sensors measure available water at different soil depths, providing valuable insights for irrigation and crop management.
In partnership with the Missouri Climate Center and the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP), researchers are also developing detailed soil moisture maps that will make localized data accessible across the state. Understanding soil variability is essential, as rainfall can have very different effects depending on soil type, landscape, vegetation, and weather conditions.
Leasor will also present updates on drought conditions and discuss how weather patterns, including El Niño, are influencing the 2026 growing season. The event, hosted at MU’s Bradford Research Farm, will expand this year with an additional soybean innovation showcase organized in collaboration with the Missouri Soybean Association.
For registration, Click here.
Photo Credit: pexels-binyaminmellish
Categories: Missouri, Education