Calving clinic set for Aug. 22 in West Plains
University of Missouri Extension livestock and dairy specialists will teach a calving clinic Aug. 22 at the MU Extension Center in Howell County, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd., West Plains.
Early pregnancy checking and culling open heifers improves efficiency, bottom line
STOCKTON, Mo. – “There are many benefits to early pregnancy checking replacement heifer,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program, which is considered the “black and gold standard” for replacement heifer development, requires pregnancy checking heifers within 90 days of the beginning of the breeding season.
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.
Pasture renovation workshop set for Aug. 7 in SW Missouri
PINEVILLE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomy and agricultural business specialists will hold an evening workshop on pasture renovation and rebuilding the cattle herd Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Pineville Community Center, 602 Jesse James Road, Pineville. Registration for the free event begins at 5 p.m. with a dinner provided by Newton & McDonald County Cattlemen at 5:30 p.m.
10 reasons you should quit making hay
LINNEUS, Mo. – Missouri ranks eighth in the nation in hay production, producing 4.83 million tons per year, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Hay is a major feed for beef production and other livestock industries in Missouri.
Crop, forage producer event set for Aug. 14 in Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. – Row crop and livestock producers can hear the latest disease, insect and forage updates at the fourth annual University of Missouri Extension Crop and Forage Chat on Aug. 14 at Hall’s Hall in Palmyra. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Presentations run 6-8:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required.
Cattle and forage management for grazing success
“Now is the time to prepare forage and cattle for the fall and winter grazing season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Proper management of cattle and forage right now leads to fall and winter grazing success as well as setting up your operation for spring. Davis provides forage and cattle management suggestions for successful grazing through the fall, winter and into the future.
MU Extension Livestock Bus Tour is Sept. 23-26
STOCKTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Livestock Bus Tour will visit livestock operations in northwestern Missouri, northeastern Kansas and southwestern Nebraska beginning Sept. 23, says Patrick Davis, MU Extension livestock field specialist.
Prepare cattle for second heat wave
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The first heat wave of summer can have negative effects on Missouri cattle, but it’s the second heat wave causes the most damage, say University of Missouri Extension specialists. MU Extension state specialist in veterinary toxicology and animal health Tim Evans says cattle may still be recovering from the first major heat event and be less resilient to future stresses.
MU Extension workshops help farmers build drought resilience
Two free workshops from University of Missouri Extension will help producers build long-term resilience against weather risk through conservation practices. The workshops will be held Aug. 18 in Union and Aug. 19 in Columbia.
Learn need-to-know skills at cattle reproduction short course
HOUSTON, Mo. – Missouri cattle producers can take a deep dive into essential topics at the Cattle Reproduction Short Course, hosted by University of Missouri Extension specialists Chloe Collins and Elizabeth Picking. The program is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at the MU Extension Center in Texas County, 114 W. Main St., Houston.
Making hay to reduce ergot infestation
MU livestock and forage specialists are reporting ergot infestations that can cause major losses in livestock, said MU Extension state specialist in veterinary toxicology and animal health Tim Evans. Ergot is a toxic fungus that infects the seed heads of many grasses and some cereal grains. It can cause severe illness and even death in livestock, especially cattle, and possibly horses.
Make sure foot rot doesn't affect your bottom line
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Foot rot can lead to cattle lameness, resulting in lost performance and profitability for your cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Cattle spend time in the pond and streams to cool themselves during summer, which can lead to foot rot. Davis discusses foot rot and gives prevention and treatment options.
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
“People are enjoying high cattle prices, and the 105th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale was no different,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. A total of 26 bulls sold for an average price of $5,458 per bull.
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.
Pre-breeding exams for replacement heifer selection
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – For cow-calf producers, it is ideal to have one healthy calf on the ground per cow per year. Producers should also strive to have cows that are productive in the herd for many years. On average, a cow must stay in the herd for six years for the producer to break even on that cow’s initial investment along with yearly maintenance costs.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures and proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis feels sacrifice pastures may be needed to help in promoting forage production for the rest of the grazing season.
Add magnesium to prevent grass tetany in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As spring and lush grass growth arrives cattle producers need to plan for prevention of grass tetany,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Grass tetany arises from a cattle mineral imbalance, so Davis suggests cattle producers use management strategies discussed below to reduce the incidence in their cattle operations.