University of Missouri Extension is hosting two feedlot schools and a cattle feeder tour this summer to teach producers how to feed out their cattle instead of shipping them out of state.

“We will cover health, nutrition, economics; tour multiple local feedlots; give producers opportunities to interact with representatives from local packing plants; and engage with MU Extension faculty,” said Eric Bailey, MU Extension state beef nutrition specialist.

The first feedlot school this summer is July 9-10 in Boonville, and will be led by MU Extension livestock field specialist Gene Schmitz. “We’ll teach everything from feedlot performance expectations to fat cattle marketing with tours of two confinement barns,” said Schmitz.

On July 20, MU Extension will host a cattle feeders tour in northwestern Missouri, led by MU Extension’s Jim Humphrey and Shawn Deering.

A second feedlot school will be held in Kirksville on Aug. 29-30 and will be led by Zac Erwin, MU Extension livestock field specialist.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority has provided grant funding to allow MU Extension to hold more feedlot schools.

“MU Extension has the goal of doubling the economic impact of agriculture in Missouri by 2030,” Bailey said. “Currently, 1.4 million out of 1.7 million beef calves raised in Missouri are harvested out of state. We can have a big impact on Missouri agriculture by increasing cattle feeding capacity now that a new harvest facility, American Foods Group, is coming to the state,” said Bailey. A new beef packing plant is opening in 2025 in Warren County. Clay Boyles of American Foods Group will be a featured speaker at the July feedlot school.

“There is a steep learning curve if you are traditionally cow/calf and looking to finish cattle, but there’s opportunity, especially for young producers, to add value,” said Mike Erwin, Adair County farmer and cattle feeder.

Erwin has been a host for a previous feedlot school. “Feedlot school is a great place to start if you want to feed cattle. The connections you can make with the speakers and other attendees and the information you can learn about what not to do is invaluable.”

The July 9-10 feedlot school will be at the MFA Training Building, 1761 Industrial Drive in Boonville. A registration fee of $75 includes materials, a steak supper on July 9 and lunches on both days.

MU Extension has been hosting feedlot schools since 2021, Bailey said. “Seventy-eight percent of attendees have started or expanded their operations after attending a school.”

For more information and registration for the Boonville feedlot school, contact Gene Schmitz at schmitze@missouri.edu or call the MU Extension Center in Pettis County at 660-827-0591. Registrations are due by Tuesday, July 2.

The July 20 cattle feeder tour begins 2 p.m. at 5029 County Road 203 in Rea, Andrew County. Confinement, hoop structure and open lot facilities will be toured. RSVP by July 10 at 660-726-5610.

The Aug. 29-30 feedlot school in Kirksville will be at White Oaks Barn, 23255 State Highway 11. Cost is $75 per person. Register by contacting the MU Extension Center in Adair County at 660-665-9866.