Learn to rebuild and retain a better cow herd May 5-6 in Columbia.
-
Image
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Beef heifers represent a great opportunity for increasing cowherd numbers and diversifying enterprises,” said Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist.
Bailey will talk about this opportunity at the May 5-6 “Retain With Intention: Building a Better Missouri Cow Herd” program at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia.
His presentation will cover marketing opportunities for replacement heifers, noting that even open heifers remain valuable as freezer-beef prospects. He will outline creative, cost-effective strategies for developing surplus heifers and marketing heavier females to cattle feeders. Bailey will also discuss nutrition before and after breeding to support long-term herd productivity.
Jamie Courter, MU Extension state beef genetics specialist, said the program will help producers make profit-focused decisions using genetics, nutrition and reproductive management. Extension specialists will provide tools to evaluate genetics, nutrition, fertility and performance data when selecting and developing replacement heifers.
“Participants will leave with a clear, step-by-step framework for choosing heifers that fit their environment, improve longevity and strengthen long-term profitability,” Courter said.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate replacement heifers using performance records, genomic information and visual appraisal.
- Develop nutrition plans that support proper growth, puberty attainment and first-breeding success.
- Design reproductive management strategies that improve conception rates and long-term fertility.
- Calculate the economic impact of retaining versus selling heifers at weaning.
- Implement a structured selection framework tailored to environmental, forage and marketing conditions.
Topics
- Defining breeding objectives for replacement females.
- Using EPDs, genomic tools and performance data.
- Ensuring heifers reach puberty and breed early.
- Reproductive benchmarks for first-calf heifers.
- Economic considerations and marketing alternatives.
The program is 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, and 7:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, May 6, at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm, 5169 Old Millers Road, Columbia.
Details and registration. Registration deadline is April 28.