March is bull breeding soundness exam month
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bull management is important in preparation for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. March is the time to begin preparing those bulls for the upcoming breeding season. Davis will discuss management strategies to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season.
Mitigating pregnancy loss in cow herds
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – With spring calving season underway, producers want as many healthy calves on the ground as possible. “A lot of folks see pregnancy loss within their herd and think of it in two ways: either a cow aborting a calf during gestation, or losing the calf after it is already made it on the ground,” said Chloe Collins, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist. But multiple factors go into pregnancy loss, both…
The skinny on what your hay bales really weigh
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ask five farmers how much their hay bales weigh, and you’ll probably get five different answers — none of which are backed up by a scale ticket. “That’s because most folks think they know their bale weights, but more often than not, they’re guessing,” says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist and associate dean Rob Kallenbach. “And when you’re buying hay by the bale instead of by the ton, those…
MU Extension offers beef feeding financial tool
POTOSI, Mo. – A risk management strategy for buying or retaining cattle is the goal of a new tool from University of Missouri Extension. The Beef Feeding Profitability Tracker, developed by MU Extension agricultural business specialist Rachel Hopkins, is a free Excel spreadsheet tool that lets producers track input costs of groups of cattle.
Frost-seeding legumes pays big dividends
HERMITAGE, Mo. – Frost-seeding legumes now can pay big dividends later, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Terry Halleran. Frost-seeding is a low-cost method of broadcasting legumes over frozen ground into an existing pasture. Legumes offer many benefits but require proper management, says Halleran.
Forage workshop set for March 20 in SW Missouri
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Beef producers can learn fall and winter grazing options after a lack of fall moisture and how to improve meat quality during a free workshop March 20 at the University of Missouri Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center near Mount Vernon. The workshop covers other timely grazing topics such as warm season forage options for growing and finishing beef during summer heat, says MU Extension state forage…
Time to rethink deworming the beef herd
SALEM, Mo. – The use of commercial livestock dewormers has paid off in terms of animal health and productivity, but it has also resulted in resistance among parasite populations. “As dewormers lose effectiveness, producers need to develop a broader strategy for managing internal parasites in their livestock,” said Eric Meusch, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. Resistance to deworming products
Benefits of beef cow leasing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Leasing instead of purchasing cows can be an effective financial strategy for cow-calf producers. A new publication by University of Missouri Extension specialists, “Introduction to Beef Cow Leases,” details how beef cow leases work. It is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g434.
Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference is Feb. 27
STOCKTON, Mo. – Pastures and cattle management are very important to the profitability and sustainability of cattle operations in Cedar County and the surrounding areas,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Education to manage these aspects of your cattle operation properly could enhance its profitability.
Frost seeding legumes improves pastures several ways
LINNEUS, Mo. – Adding diversity to a pasture can make it more productive than growing tall fescue alone. Diversity can also aid in reducing or diluting the effects of fescue toxicity, improve nutritive value of forage, increase weight gain and enhance soil health, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts.
Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference is Feb. 28
VIENNA, Mo. – The Central Missouri Forage & Beef Conference, presented by University of Missouri Extension specialists, is Friday, Feb. 28, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 206 Sixth St., Vienna.
Cattle recordkeeping system for success
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As a new year begins, cattle producers may find value in looking back at the previous year to evaluate the operation’s productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In this previous year’s evaluation, cattle producers should evaluate their recordkeeping system and determine if it was successful or if changes are needed.
Prepare for a successful calving season
STOCKTON, Mo. – “When planning for a successful calving season, plan for everything that might happen with the goal of the cow giving birth with little difficulty to a healthy calf,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Furthermore, manage cows to provide adequate quality and quantity of nourishment to the calf and rebred during the next breeding season.
Genetics for a better cow herd
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Improving fertility in cows involves leveraging genetic selection and advanced genomic tools to enhance reproductive performance. But genetic potential is only half the battle. Environment is the other half, said University of Missouri Extension state beef genetics specialist Jamie Courter at the recent Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville.
SW Mo. Spring Forage Conference is Feb. 25 in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – The Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference is Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.
Cattle care during prolonged extreme cold
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Cold weather has moved into Missouri quickly with no plans of leaving soon, according to forecasts.
Prepare cattle for frigid temperatures
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Extremely cold weather, ice and snow are putting Missouri cattle at risk. Temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit are predicted, with the wind chill factor much lower in many parts of Missouri this week. As temperatures drop, producers need to ensure their cattle are kept safe in the harsh weather, said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.
Final fall 2024 Show-Me-Select sale sets record
PALMYRA, Mo. – The sixth and final fall sale of Show-Me-Select heifers, Saturday, Dec. 14, in Palmyra, set a local record for total cost of heifers sold. The 53 buyers set a northeastern Missouri record $1,162,600 worth of bred heifers exchanging hands in one-and-a-half hours. Thirty-five repeat buyers purchased 192 head, or 59% of the total consignment, said Daniel Mallory, University of Missouri Extension regional livestock…
Strong bull sale in Springfield
STOCKTON, Mo. – “There was a strong showing at the 104th Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Test Bull Sale on Oct. 28 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center in Springfield,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Thirty-two bulls sold for an average price of $4,263 per bull. By breed, the 30 Angus bulls sold for an average of $4,303 per bull, one Hereford bull sold for $3,700 and…
Results from fall SW Mo. Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Days
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is important for reproductive performance and profitability of the cattle operation to identify bulls that are not sound breeders and replace them prior to the breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. This is the goal of the Southwest Missouri Fall Bull Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) Days, which also educate cattle producers on bull management for a successful…
Pick up the 2025 Redbook at your local MU Extension center
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Recordkeeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis urges cattle producers to consider purchasing the 2025 pocket-size “Redbook” to aid in their recordkeeping. The books are available at county MU Extension centers for $8 per copy.
Three steps to prepare for winter feeding of livestock
SALEM, Mo. – Now is a good time to review winter feeding plans, according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eric Meusch. “Forage growth has come to an end, so making sure producers have what they need to feed their livestock though the winter is important,” Meusch said. “These three basic steps and a sharp pencil can help them determine if they are ready for winter.” 1. Determine animal needs
Forage, cattle producers embrace change in move from Colorado to Missouri
NEW BOSTON, Mo. – Tad and Kim Carnahan knew where one of their first stops would be after their move from Colorado to Missouri. The lifelong learners turned to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin and agronomy specialist Valerie Tate for help in setting up their new Missouri cattle and forage operation. The local extension center became their one-stop shop for learning. “We try to absorb everything,” Tad…
Buying corn silage to feed beef cows in winter
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage. “We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey. “But I have received numerous inquiries from cattlemen interested in using corn silage as a winter…
MU Extension releases enterprise budgets for 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has released its latest crop and livestock enterprise budgets tailored to help Missouri farmers and ranchers plan for a productive 2025. MU Extension specialists have updated 38 budgets for farmers working with row crops, beef, swine, dairy, sheep, goats, forages and more. Region-specific budgets have also been developed for southeastern Missouri crops like cotton, peanuts and rice.