Three ways to be more profitable making hay
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Haymaking is a game of threes, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts. To be profitable, producers must manage three key factors: equipment expenses, quality and yield.
Ag Production Conference set for Feb. 12 in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 101st Greene County Ag Production Conference on Feb. 12 focuses on beef, drones and hay. The event is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 6821 W. Independence Drive.
Livestock and forage event is March 3 in Ozark
OZARK, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers the annual Christian County Livestock and Forage Conference 6-8:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in Ozark. The free event will be held at the Agriculture Building at Ozarks Technical Community College’s Richmond Valley campus. MU Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg said MU Extension specialists will offer updates to help producers grow better forages for healthier herds and bigger profits.
SW MO Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 27 in Springfield
MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on a variety of current topics in the cattle industry. The conference is MSU's Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield.
Learn about growing tick disease in cattle at Stone County livestock & forage event
CRANE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state veterinarian Craig Payne will talk about a growing tick disease in cattle at the 95th Stone County Livestock and Forage Conference 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the First Baptist Church in Crane.
Beef Quality Assurance training scheduled for Feb. 10 in Pineville
PINEVILLE, Mo. – Area cattle producers and community members are invited to attend a free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Pineville Community Center, 602 Jessie James Road, Pineville.
National survey looks at beef producers' bull-buying decisions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new national survey aims to better understand how beef producers make bull-buying decisions and how extension programs can better support those producers.
Pearls of Production returns Feb. 28 in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2026 Pearls of Production Conference is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, at the University of Missouri Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia. This in-person gathering promises a full day of hands-on learning, idea exchange and inspiration, says Heather Conrow, MU Extension livestock and poultry specialist.
Spring SW Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale entry deadline is Feb. 5
The Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association has put out an invitation for bulls for its upcoming All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale on March 30 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center near Springfield.
Producer enjoys continued success with milo grazing
University of Missouri Extension specialists find that producers see up to $300 savings in feeding costs per calf when their livestock graze standing milo through the winter.
Updated budgets show improved cow-calf outlook for 2026
FORSYTH, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension recently released updated Missouri Beef Cattle Enterprise Budgets, which provide new estimates of income and expenses for 2026. “The budgets look favorable for cow-calf producers in the coming year, but as we’ve seen, markets can change quickly,” says Jacob Hefley, MU Extension field specialist in agricultural business.
MU Extension expands Feedlot School on backgrounding, finishing for value-added Missouri beef
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will host three two-day Feedlot Schools in January and February giving cattle producers a practical roadmap for retaining calves longer in Missouri and capturing more value through backgrounding and finishing.
Numbers low but prices high at SW Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale
“The numbers were low, but the prices were high at the Southwest Missouri All Breeds Performance Tested Bull Sale on Oct. 27 in Springfield,” says Patrick Davis, MU Extension livestock field specialist. Twenty-one bulls sold for an average of $7,128 per bull.
Theileria losses may qualify for USDA Livestock Indemnity Program
Beef producers who have lost cattle to Theileria orientalis may qualify for financial assistance through USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program, says Craig Payne, MU Extension director of veterinary medicine. The program provides payments to livestock owners when deaths exceed normal mortality due to weather, predator attacks or eligible diseases.
Full crowd for strong Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale
STOCKTON, Mo. – “A full house saw a strong Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale on Nov. 21 at Joplin Regional Stockyards,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The sale saw 246 heifers sold from 13 consignors for an average price of $4,177 per heifer.
Cattle AI school equips producers with breeding skills
Producers sharpen cattle-breeding skills in a hands-on artificial insemination school, learning anatomy, semen handling, synchronization and herd-building strategies.
Cattle disease that causes anemia spreading in Missouri
University of Missouri Director of Veterinary Extension Craig Payne urges cattle producers to watch for signs of disease associated with Theileria orientalis (ikeda), a protozoal organism recently detected in Missouri.
Livestock producers face health threats from ticks
Due to the nature of their work, livestock farmers are often exposed to ticks, which can cause serious health issues, including alpha-gal syndrome, which can cause an allergy to red meat, milk and some animal byproducts.
2026 Redbook available at your local MU Extension center
Start your 2026 cattle operation recordkeeping on the right foot by purchasing your Redbook, produced by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The pocket-size record books are available for sale through county MU Extension centers.
Updates to Livestock Risk Protection insurance give producers more flexibility
Livestock producers now have more flexibility under recent updates to USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program, which helps safeguard against unexpected price declines in feeder cattle, fed cattle and swine markets. MU Extension has updated its publication on LRP to reflect the most recent program changes.
Favor older, earlier-calving bred heifers at auction this fall
University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey suggests a review of data shows that early-calving bred heifers pay off many times over in the long run.
Is the 'going rate' going up?
Farmers and agricultural service providers across Missouri are invited to participate in University of Missouri Extension’s Custom Rates Survey. This triennial survey helps shed light on the costs associated with custom farming operations such as tillage, planting, spraying, harvesting, land management work and machinery rental.
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, the 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.
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.