Beef cattle

News

• Big bales wrapped in plastic make baleage
  Monday, June 3, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2013 hay season, with little sunshine and lots of rain, increases interest in making baleage, or silage in a bag, says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• Extra moisture can extend grass growth into summer slump, says MU specialist
  Friday, May 31, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain makes grass grow. That’s good for grazing livestock, but makes haying difficult.
• Future of Missouri cattle industry topic of Breimyer Seminar, July 17
  Wednesday, May 29, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cattle sales were the No. 1 income source on Missouri farms for decades. Now cows have slipped to third place behind soybeans and corn.
• To raise quality, make hay before seeds set
  Thursday, May 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Don’t delay making hay,” says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension.
• Slow-growing pastures need more warmth, not added fertility, says MU forage specialist
  Friday, May 10, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – After a long, slow start, pasture grass just needs more time and warm weather.
• Heifers average $1,822 at Fruitland Show-Me-Select sale
  Tuesday, May 7, 2013
  FRUITLAND, Mo. – Fall-calving Show-Me-Select bred replacement heifers averaged $1,822 at the Fruitland (Mo.) Livestock Auction, Saturday, May 4.
• Cows' looks alone can fool beef herd owners
  Wednesday, May 1, 2013
  RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. – Better genetics puts high-quality beef on the consumer’s plate. Also, better genetics brings more profits back to the producer’s pocketbook.
• MU Thompson Farm lets bid on river-bottom crop ground
  Monday, April 29, 2013
  SPICKARD, Mo. – River-bottom cropland on the University of Missouri Thompson Farm has been leased for three years for $378.30 per acre, the highest of 11 sealed bids, says Jon Schreffler, farm manager.
• MU Thompson Farm board hears updates on beef AI studies, pastures, field day plans
  Thursday, April 25, 2013
  SPICKARD, Mo.—New research at the MU Thompson Farm beef herd in Grundy County was discussed by the advisory board, Tuesday, April 23.
• Lower break-even for cattle and hog producers
  Tuesday, April 16, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Cattle prices have been at record highs the last few years. The reason is less meat on the market.
• Jared Decker, geneticist, joins MU Extension to help cow herd owners breed quality beef
  Friday, March 29, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Owners of commercial beef herds baffled by all those numbers in bull catalogs should meet Jared Decker.
  
  Media available: photo
• Overcoming forage shortages in a drought
  Thursday, March 28, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–During the drought of 2012, producers with disappearing forage were seeking options to feed livestock.
• First green grass of spring is not enough to supply nutrient needs of grazing cows
  Tuesday, March 26, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Turning cow herds out to graze pastures at the first sign of green grass harms forage growth later in the season. But there’s another big reason to wait, says a University of Missouri beef nutritionist.
• Alliance holds schools to detoxify Missouri’s K-31 fescue pastures
  Monday, March 25, 2013
  LINNEUS, Mo. – Kentucky 31 tall fescue covers the ground well and resists insects, drought and overgrazing. But this most widely used pasture grass in Missouri has a flaw. “Common fescue is toxic to livestock,” said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• Snow can present challenges for livestock
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  NEW LONDON, Mo.– Spring is here, but parts of Missouri still aren’t through with winter weather.
• Cattle theft on the rise in southwestern Missouri
  Wednesday, March 20, 2013
  GREENFIELD, Mo.– Cattle rustling often brings to mind images of outlaws on horseback running off livestock in the Old West, but cattle theft is still a problem in the 21st century.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Interstate cattle movement affected by new USDA rule
  Tuesday, March 19, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–A new USDA animal disease traceability rule requires that livestock animals be officially identified before they are moved across state lines.
• Raising calving-ease heifers takes more than genetics
  Wednesday, March 13, 2013
  TRENTON, Mo. –Breeding beef heifers for quality takes more than better genetics. It requires attention to details.
• MU economic report: U.S. meat producers need big grain crop to lower feed costs, boost profits in 2013
  Friday, March 8, 2013
  WASHINGTON – The pounds of meat produced in the United States will drop in 2013 for the second time in five years. That includes beef, pork, chicken and turkey, according to a report given to Congress today.
• Meat prices expected to rise due to high feed costs, lower herd numbers
  Thursday, January 24, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.– Cattle prices are expected to set new records in 2013 while hog prices are expected to have their second highest year ever. High feed costs have led to lower numbers of animals, which University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ron Plain says is why meat prices will be going up.
• Alfalfa in forage system extends feed in drought
  Wednesday, January 23, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Another drought year ahead or not, adding more forages to the grazing mix helps during the annual summer slump, says a University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
• New or expanding livestock operations need to assess water needs
  Thursday, January 17, 2013
  COLUMBIA, Mo.–Producers who plan to start or expand a livestock operation need to think about water before moving forward.
• Detecting and controlling red imported fire ants
  Thursday, September 6, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought-affected farmers forced to buy hay from out of state can take steps to avoid introducing red imported fire ants to their farms.
  
  Media available: photo
• Cattle heat-stress app at hand to help producers reduce weather-related livestock losses
  Wednesday, September 5, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new tool to help cattle producers reduce heat-related losses soon will be as close as the nearest smartphone.
  
  Media available: photos; video
• Quality Beef by the Numbers may help producers rebuild herds devastated by 2012 drought
  Thursday, August 23, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year’s drought has taken its toll on the livestock industry, which has sold off thousands of animals because feed is too costly. A program at the University of Missouri may help these producers rebuild their herds with animals that produce more of the high-quality grades of beef that consumers are demanding.
  
  Media available: video
• Drought-damaged soybeans can make cattle feed; MU economist has calculator for hay:bean value
  Friday, August 3, 2012
  COLUMBIA – Soybeans that won’t make a seed crop offer potential high-quality forage for beef and dairy producers. The decision to cut beans for hay won’t be easy, say University of Missouri Extension specialists.
• Fall-calving cow herds must be watched; heat stress can cause premature calving
  Thursday, August 2, 2012
  COLUMBIA, Mo – Some heat-stressed cows are delivering premature calves, ahead of normal fall-calving season.

Websites

Browse these University of Missouri websites:

• AgEBB: Farm Marketing
• Beef Focus Team
• Forage Systems Research Center
• Greenley Research Center
• Meat Industry Focus Team
• Missouri Alternatives Center
• Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association
• Missouri Beef Resource Guide
• Missouri Premier Beef Marketing Program
• Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program
• South Farm
• Thompson Farm
• Wurdack Farm

You may be interested in these external websites:

• eXtension Beef Cattle Resources
• eXtension Small Meat Processors Resources
• Prevention and Control of Nitrate Toxicity in Cattle (eXtension)

Publications

• CB10, Beef Cow/Calf Series
• G2034, Using Performance Data in Judging Classes: BIF Fact Sheet
• G2201, Freeze Branding Cattle
• G2209, Recommendations for Aging Beef
• M153, Beef Cow/Calf: Marketing and Finance
• MWPSCD1, Beef Cattle Handbook on CD-ROM
• NCR156, Fitting and Showing Beef Cattle

You may be interested in these related publications:

• AED60, Cattle Feeding Buildings in the Midwest
• AGW1017, Drought-Related Issues in Forage, Silage and Baleage
• CB1, Agriculture Guide Book
• CB4, Binder of MU Agricultural Guides G2000 - G5999
• EQ377, Beef Manure Management Systems in Missouri
• EQ384, Beef Manure Management With Dirt Lots
• EQ392, Economic Considerations for Beef Manure Management Systems
• G2952, Livestock Judging Techniques

Courses

• Missouri Beginning Farmers Program