Report outlines Missouri population growth
Missouri’s population grew 1.5% from 2020–2024, driven entirely by domestic and international migration.
Good cattle market led to a strong bull sale in Springfield
High cattle prices powered a strong bull sale in Springfield, averaging $5,458 across 26 bulls—around $1,600 more per head than spring 2024.
Produce high-quality hay to reduce cattle supplementation
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Hay harvest is approaching, and producing high-quality hay reduces cattle supplementation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis discusses harvest management strategies to achieve optimal hay quality.
Missouri's best-kept secret is hiding in plain sight
How MU Extension helps people help themselves—all across the state.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures and proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis feels sacrifice pastures may be needed to help in promoting forage production for the rest of the grazing season.
Add magnesium to prevent grass tetany in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As spring and lush grass growth arrives cattle producers need to plan for prevention of grass tetany,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Grass tetany arises from a cattle mineral imbalance, so Davis suggests cattle producers use management strategies discussed below to reduce the incidence in their cattle operations.
Cattle recordkeeping system for success
Cattle producers can assess the past year’s productivity, improve herd recordkeeping and use clear ID methods.
Prepare for a successful calving season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “When planning for a successful calving season, plan for everything that might happen with the goal of the cow giving birth with little difficulty to a healthy calf,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Furthermore, manage cows to provide adequate quality and quantity of nourishment to the calf and rebred during the next breeding season.
Strong bull sale in Springfield
Springfield's bull sale achieved strong prices, with 26 bulls averaging $5,458 each, highlighting a robust cattle market.
Results from fall SW Mo. Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Days
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is important for reproductive performance and profitability of the cattle operation to identify bulls that are not sound breeders and replace them prior to the breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This is the goal of the Southwest Missouri Fall Bull Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) Days, which also educate cattle producers on bull management for a successful…
Pick up the 2025 Redbook at your local MU Extension center
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Recordkeeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis urges cattle producers to consider purchasing the 2025 pocket-size “Redbook” to aid in their recordkeeping. The books are available at county MU Extension centers for $8 per copy.
SW Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale results
Southwest Missouri’s heifer sale saw 112 head average $3,205 per head, with top lots reaching $4,500.
Rebuild your cow herd with proper heifer development
Boost your herd’s success with proper heifer development, nutrition, breeding, and health management strategies.
Prepare bulls for the upcoming breeding season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is time to begin preparing for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In preparation for the upcoming breeding season, Davis will discuss management strategies to make sure bulls are ready for a successful breeding season.
Proper outside large round bale storage reduces hay losses
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As hay season continues, I see a lot of large round hay bales being stored outside,” says University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist Patrick Davis. If hay is not stored properly outside, farmers can see significant dry matter and quality losses. Factors that contribute to these losses include:
Dealing with cattle herd anaplasmosis
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Summertime brings factors that lead to anaplasmosis in cattle operations,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Anaplasmosis can affect cattle operation performance due to calf abortions, decreased weight gain, bull infertility and animal death.
Heatstroke can kill quickly in hot cars
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When the news has another tragic story about a child accidentally left in a hot car, parents might believe they could never make a mistake like that. “It’s not just negligent parents or indifferent caregivers. When juggling the demands of work, parenting and daily life, it’s easier than you might think to make a simple but fatal mistake,” says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety…
Spring SW Missouri bull breeding soundness exam day results
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bull breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are important to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The exam evaluates bull physical and reproductive soundness. Using bulls that fail this exam can lead to poor conception, pregnancy, calving and weaning rates, which results in poor operation productivity and profitability,…
Records set at SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale
Record prices set at the SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale with high averages and strong buyer demand.
Management strategies to reduce pink eye in cattle
Learn management strategies to reduce pink eye in cattle, including fly control, pasture care, and preventive treatments.
Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
Access free resources, guides, and videos to stay safe and prepared during severe weather and flooding emergencies.
Use summer annual forages to build your grazing forage base
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Summer annuals are a good way to add diversity and build pasture stands for the upcoming grazing season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Summer annuals are a tool to improve thin pastures stands, help begin the renovations process and add forage diversity to improve cattle productivity. Davis will discuss some summer annuals that can help improve cattle grazing pastures…
Use heifer pre-breeding exams as a culling tool and to prepare for breeding season
Learn how pre-breeding exams assess reproductive tract, pelvic area, body condition and soundness to guide culling and retention of heifers.
Should cattle producers retain fall calves as stockers?
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Should cattle producers retain fall calves as stockers?” This is a question asked by University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis and cattle producers as they think about weaning their fall calves. Davis will discuss considerations for cattle producers as they weigh the options to retain their fall calves as stockers.
Things to consider when early weaning fall calves
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Markets as well as limited feed resources may lead to early weaning fall calves,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Cattle producers may be limited on feed resources, and early weaning will help reduce cow herd nutrient need. Furthermore, early weaning may help cattle producers prepare to market their fall calves a little earlier than normal because of financial…