Free Hay Quality Management workshops coming to central Missouri
University of Missouri Extension will offer Hay Quality Management workshops this fall in Cole, Miller, Gasconade and Osage counties. Local livestock and hay producers are invited to attend these free programs intended to help farmers improve hay quality to reduce feed costs and enhance livestock performance.
Big profits in 2024-25 Missouri Steer Feedout
STOCKTON, Mo. – “The Missouri Steer Feedout Finale showed that producers were very profitable in feeding steers over the last year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Held in conjunction with the Barton County Cattlemen’s Association meeting on Sept. 9 in Lamar, dthe event discussed the results of the steers fed at the Show Me Youth Ag Academy Feedlot near Newport.
Have you scheduled your bull breeding soundness exam?
STOCKTON, Mo. – Have you scheduled your bull breeding soundness exam? Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, suggests your bulls have a BSE prior to each breeding season.
SW Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale set for Oct. 27 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – The 106th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale is scheduled for Oct. 27 in Springfield, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The offering consists of 26 bulls: 23 Angus, one Hereford, one Gelbvieh and one SimAngus. This long-running sale on by the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association is 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Springfield…
Enroll steers in Missouri Steer Feedout by Oct. 15
Through cooperative efforts of MU Extension, Show Me Youth Ag Academy and Missouri State University, the Missouri Steer Feedout is enrolling spring-born steers to begin feeding in November.
MU Extension hosts 'Baled Late, Fed Smart' for livestock producers
MU Extension will host “Baled Late, Fed Smart,” a series of programs in October designed to help livestock producers effectively manage and utilize lower-quality hay. Sessions in Wright, Taney and Ozark counties will provide strategies for feeding cattle when forage quality is compromised.
Free webinar looks at virtual fencing for perennial pastures
A free webinar on Aug 29 explores GPS-collar virtual fencing in perennial pastures to cut overgrazing and boost resilience through precision grazing.
MU Extension launches second round of Cow College Workshops
Interactive Cow College Workshops offer Southeast Missouri producers practical training in forage, cattle health, heifer development and risk-management.
Hot markets, tax changes call for new planning
Rising cattle prices raise tax bills. New laws like bonus depreciation and higher Section 179 limits help plan ahead.
Early pregnancy checking and culling open heifers improves efficiency, bottom line
Learn how early pregnancy detection and timely culling of non-pregnant heifers boosts herd efficiency, sale value, and feed resource use.
Review biosecurity basics to keep your herd safe
Summer is a good time to review how to prevent disease from coming onto your farm, says University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Chloe Collins.
10 reasons you should quit making hay
High equipment costs, time constraints, and soil degradation make hay production less profitable. Explore alternatives like grazing and stockpiling forage.
Cattle and forage management for grazing success
Implement strategies to improve cattle and forage management for year-round grazing success.
Prepare cattle for second heat wave
Learn strategies to protect cattle from heat stress, including providing shade, fresh water, and proper ventilation to maintain animal health.
Making hay to reduce ergot infestation
Learn how to manage ergot infestations in pastures to protect livestock health. Tips on mowing, haymaking, and recognizing symptoms of ergot poisoning.
Make sure foot rot doesn't affect your bottom line
Foot rot in cattle can lead to lameness and decreased profitability. Prevention includes proper hoof care and adequate trace minerals.
Results from spring SW Mo. Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Days
“Calf production is perhaps the most important metric that supports the existence of the cattle industry, making bull health and productivity incredibly important” says Ian McGregor, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Tall fescue adds to heat stress in cattle
Cattle rid their bodies of heat in three ways: radiation, convection and evaporation. “If your cattle can’t use all three methods, they’ll overheat fast,” says University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey. Summer heat knocks weight off calves and pounds off milk, Bailey says. “Heat stress costs real money.”
Show-Me-Select spring heifer sales top $2 million
Some record high prices marked the spring sales of Show-Me-Select bred heifers. The combined gross amount from the five regional sales was $2,321,900 for 602 bred heifers.
MU Extension offers free webinar series on virtual fencing
A free webinar series will introduce graziers to technology that uses GPS collars on livestock to create invisible fences. Monthly sessions run June through October.
Fly and tick control in cattle
It’s the time of year when flies and ticks start becoming a problem for cattle, and they can be more than just a nuisance. “These external parasites not only cause irritation and stress but also reduce production efficiency and serve as vectors for certain cattle diseases,” said Craig Payne, University of Missouri director of veterinary extension.
Use fenceline weaning to improve calf postweaning performance
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Postweaning calf performance is important to cow-calf operators and future calf owners,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Optimum performance is achieved by reducing weaning stress. Davis discusses fenceline weaning as a management strategy to reduce weaning stress, which ultimately reduces sickness and improves calf performance postweaning.
Good cattle market led to a strong bull sale in Springfield
High cattle prices powered a strong bull sale in Springfield, averaging $5,458 across 26 bulls—around $1,600 more per head than spring 2024.
Produce high-quality hay to reduce cattle supplementation
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Hay harvest is approaching, and producing high-quality hay reduces cattle supplementation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis discusses harvest management strategies to achieve optimal hay quality.
Cattle farmers: Is it time for a budget checkup?
Many Missouri cattle producers are gearing up for the hay season. Spring can be hectic on the farm, but it’s also an important time to check on where you’re heading financially.