Animal health and production

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Animal health

Keep current about animal health and production in Missouri.

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Events

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2021 Computers on the Farm Virtual Conference

Event date: Feb. 8, 2021 - Feb. 9, 2021

Please join us for the 2021 Computers on the Farm Virtual Conference to be held on the evenings of February 8-9 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. via ZOOMIf you are a farmer who wants to make more effective use of your computer on your farm, this ...

Online Southwest Missouri MU Extension Beef Cattle Conference

Event date: Feb. 16, 2021 - Feb. 18, 2021

The conference will begin at 7:00 p. m. on both nights. Meeting will be held online via Zoom. A link for each night of the meeting will be given upon registration. The following topics will be presented over the two night conference by MU Extension ...

2021 Selling Local Foods in Missouri Series

Event date: March 2, 2021 - March 23, 2021

The 2021 Selling Local Food in Missouri Series will feature four distinct classes (or sessions) providing producers with information on how to sell their food and agriculture products in Missouri. Sessions will feature speakers from the Missouri ...

2021 Statewide Forage and Livestock Series

Event date: Jan. 13, 2021 - Feb. 10, 2021

Join us Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 10:15 am to learn about Forages and Livestock topics in Missouri. Session topics include:Wednesday, January 13: Feeding Stored Forages -Evaluating Forage Stands, Ray Smith, University of Kentucky -Stretching Hay ...

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Proper hay storage reduces waste, increases profit

Published: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020

COLUMBIA, Mo. – There are two ways to more hay: Grow more or store it better.Many factors influence how bales make the trip from the field to the cow, says Jim Humphrey, a University of Missouri agronomist and member of the NRCS+MU Grasslands ...

When price is right, wheat middlings are good cattle feed

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020

COLUMBIA, Mo. – At the right price, wheat middlings are a good source of protein, fiber and phosphorus for livestock, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Kendra Graham.Wheat middlings, or midds, are lightweight feeds used in ...

MU spreadsheet tracks, evaluates colostrum management

Published: Monday, Nov. 9, 2020

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy veterinarian Scott Poock has developed a spreadsheet to track and evaluate colostrum management data in dairy calves.The spreadsheet comes in response to the latest National Animal Health ...

Without forage test, hay by any other name is just hay

Published: Monday, Oct. 26, 2020

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mature hay is hay. It may be brome hay, prairie hay or any other type of hay. But in the end, it’s just hay until it’s been tested.Forage tests tell the tale of whether hay is of good quality and nutrient-rich, says University ...

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Publications

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Estrus Synchronization Recommendations for Natural Service Bull Breeding

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2020

Introduction: While artificial insemination is an excellent choice for an increasing number of producers, it is not the only option after a synchronization program. A variety of simple synchronization protocols can be used effectively with natural ...

Estrus Synchronization Recommendations for Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2020

1-Shot PG: This protocol is simple, consisting only of administration of PG. However, this protocol requires heat detection and will require performing AI over multiple days. Because it does not involve a CIDR, MGA, or GnRH, it has a lower overall ...

Sexed Semen for Artificial Insemination: Recommendations and AI Approaches

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2020

Sexed Semen: Sexed semen contains an enriched proportion of either X or Y chromosome-bearing sperm cells. The bovine X chromosome is larger than the Y-chromosome, resulting in X chromosome-bearing sperm cells containing approximately 3.8% more total ...

Estrus Synchronization Recommendations for Artificial Insemination of Beef Cows

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2020

Select Synch: This protocol requires heat detection and will require performing AI over multiple days. Note that heat detection needs to begin on the day prior to administration of PG. Because it does not involve a CIDR, this protocol has a lower ...

Missouri 400-Cow Dairy and 690-Cow Dairy Business Plans

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2020

This dairy farm business plan is intended to demonstrate one pathway for the next generation of Missouri’s dairy farmers. This path involves next generation confinement housing solutions that can improve cow comfort and cooling while removing ...

Missouri Robotic Dairy Business Plans

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2020

These business plans demonstrate one path forward for the next generation of Missouri’s dairy farmers. This path forward involves labor-saving robotic milking systems and next generation confinement housing solutions to improve cow comfort and ...

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Resources

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Pregnancy Checks

Many beef producers never have preg checks performed, missing an opportunity to save money on feed/other costs of maintaining open cows in your herd. Dr. Brianne Bishop shares advice about when to schedule preg checks to get the most info possible.

2019 Cattle Artificial Insemination School Enrollment Form (PDF)

2019 Pasture recovery workshop (PDF)

2019 Regional grazing school scheduled (PDF)

2019 Summer annual forage crops (PDF)

A Steak in Genomics

A blog for stakeholders in beef production, genetics, and genomics -- by Jared Decker, associate professor in the University of Missouri's Division of Animal Sciences and MU Extension state beef genetics specialist

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