Hands-on program, May 5-6 in Columbia, focuses on genetics, nutrition and reproductive management.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold an educational program on rebuilding and retaining the cow herd May 5-6 at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia.
Jamie Courter, MU Extension state beef genetics specialist, said the program will help beef producers make long-term, profitability-focused decisions. Courter will be joined by beef reproductive physiologist Jordan Thomas, beef nutritionist Eric Bailey and an MU Extension ag business specialist Wesley Tucker for the program, Retain With Intention: Building a Better Missouri Cow Herd.
The program will focus on helping producers make informed decisions about replacement heifers by using genetics, nutrition and reproductive management, Courter said.
“The goal is to equip producers with practical tools to identify, develop and manage females that will remain productive in the herd long term,” she said.
“Rebuilding the cow herd is more than keeping back a few extra heifers. It’s about making intentional decisions that shape your operation for years to come.”
Courter says this multifaceted, hands-on program will provide tools to evaluate genetics, nutrition, fertility and performance data when selecting and developing replacement females. Participants will leave with a clear, step-by-step framework for choosing heifers that fit their environment, improve longevity and strengthen long-term profitability.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate replacement heifers using performance records, genomic information and visual appraisal to make more informed retention decisions.
- Develop a nutrition plan that supports proper growth, puberty attainment, and first-breeding success in replacement females.
- Design a reproductive management strategy that improves first-service conception rates and long-term fertility.
- Calculate the long-term economic impact of heifer retention versus sale at weaning.
- Implement a structured replacement selection framework tailored to their operation’s environment, forage resources, and marketing goals.
Topics include:
- Defining breeding objectives for replacement females.
- Using EPDs, genomic tools and performance data in heifer selection.
- Development strategies to ensure heifers reach puberty and breed early.
- Reproductive benchmarks and management for first-calf heifers.
- Economic considerations and marketing alternatives for replacement females.
The program is 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 6.
The MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm is at 5169 Old Millers Road, Columbia.