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Extension specialist gives 4 O's for 'crazy' cows

Published: Monday, March 20, 2023

CLEVER, Mo. – Load ’em up and ship ’em out.That’s the advice University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Andy McCorkill gives on “crazy cows.” He spoke to livestock and forage producers March 7 at the Christian County Livestock ...

Make sure bulls are ready for fall breeding season

Published: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022

STOCKTON, Mo. – Make sure bulls are physically and reproductively sound before the fall breeding season, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“Performing a bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) prior to the ...

Plan to meet weaning challenges

Published: Monday, Aug. 15, 2022

SEDALIA, Mo. – Weaning spring calves may be more of a challenge this year because of short pasture supplies and the questionable nutritional value of this year’s hay crop.“Pay very close attention to body condition score in September and be ...

Breeding by protocol: 7&7 Synch

Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2022

COLUMBIA, Mo. – As breeding seasons for seasonal pasture-based dairy herds and beef cows approach, it might be time to consider if a new estrus synchronization protocol developed by the University of Missouri could benefit your operation.Getting ...

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Assisting the Beef Cow at Calving Time

Publication date: Oct. 26, 2022

Jordan ThomasAssistant Professor, Animal SciencesSix to 10 percent of all calves born in beef cow herds in the U.S. die at or soon after birth. About half of those deaths are due to calving difficulty (dystocia). This multi-million dollar annual loss ...

Pelvic Measurements and Calving Difficulty

Publication date: April 8, 2022

Reviewed by Jordan ThomasAssistant Professor, Animal SciencesDavid J. Patterson and William O. HerringDepartment of Animal SciencesAlthough researchers agree that birth weight is the most important measurable trait affecting calving difficulty, there ...

Calving Difficulty in Beef Cattle: BIF Fact Sheet

Publication date: March 16, 2022

Reviewed by Jordan ThomasDepartment of Animal SciencesWilliam O. HerringDepartment of Animal SciencesCalving difficulty (dystocia) can increase calf losses, cow mortality, and veterinary and labor costs, as well as delay return to estrus and lower ...

Estrus Synchronization Recommendations for Natural Service Bull Breeding

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2021

Jordan ThomasAssistant Professor and State Beef Reproduction Specialist, Division of Animal SciencesEmily SmithGraduate Research Assistant, Division of Animal SciencesOverviewIntroduction: While artificial insemination is an excellent choice for an ...

Estrus Synchronization Recommendations for Artificial Insemination of Beef Cows

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2021

Jordan ThomasAssistant Professor and State Beef Reproduction Specialist, Division of Animal SciencesRachael Bonacker, Carson Andersen, Emily Smith, Genna VanWyeGraduate Research Assistants, Division of Animal SciencesOverviewSelect Synch: This ...

Sexed Semen for Artificial Insemination: Recommendations and AI Approaches

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2021

Jordan ThomasAssistant Professor and State Beef Reproduction Specialist, Division of Animal SciencesCarson AndersenGraduate Research Assistant, Division of Animal SciencesOverviewSexed Semen: Sexed semen contains an enriched proportion of either X or ...

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Estrus and Fertility to Timed Artificial Insemination

YouTube video explaining how modern timed AI protocols for beef cattle don't require estrus detection. Knowing what proportion of your cows or heifers have expressed estrus before timed AI can be valuable information. By Jordan Thomas, Ph.D.

Missouri Steer Feedout 2022 brochure (PDF)

Learn the procedures for this year’s Missouri Steer Feedout, an educational program through which cattle producers learn about the genetics and management of calves, gain experience feeding cattle, and more.

Missouri Steer Feedout 2022 entry form (PDF)

Enter a minimum of five steer calves born after Jan. 1, 2022, for $20 per head in the 2022 Missouri Steer Feedout, an educational program for cattle producers. Entry deadline is Oct. 10.

Mizzou Repro YouTube channel

Learn about artificial insemination (AI), estrus synchronization, genetic selection, heifer development, calving assistance and more in these videos on the reproductive management of beef cattle by the Mizzou Repro program.

National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics in Beef Cattle

NCARG's mission is to accelerate the rate of adoption of profitable reproductive and genomic technologies in the beef industry. It is a multi-disciplinary partnership among faculty in MU's CAFNR and College of Veterinary Medicine.

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