STOCKTON, Mo. – So-called “sacrifice pastures” might be needed to help promote forage production the rest of this cattle grazing season, according to Patrick Davis, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist based in Stockton.
Beef cattle feeding : article
High equipment costs, time constraints, and soil degradation make hay production less profitable. Explore alternatives like grazing and stockpiling forage.
Boost beef farm resilience with expert tips on grazing, hay storage, herd health, and financial strategies to thrive through cycles and drought.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – One of the most important tools for livestock producers is a sharp No. 2 pencil.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ways to replace toxic tall fescue pastures keep improving as renovations move across the Fescue Belt from Missouri to Georgia.
Five grazing schools in five states in March will clarify a complex system, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.
This is part of an MU Extension series to help row crop and livestock producers manage drought. For more articles, go to Drought Resources.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory recommends applying fall nitrogen in mid-August to cool-season pastures.
Despite drought conditions in much of the state, Lory says, “we need to get nitrogen applied now so we can take full advantage of the…
Delayed nitrogen for cool-season forages now has little chance to boost fall growth and risks nitrate buildup or fertilizer loss under dry conditions.
Beef producers should watch for signs of fescue foot as cold weather sets in—limping, swelling, skin breaks, or cool lower legs are early warnings.
Reduce livestock loss and toxin risk by avoiding nitrogen fertilization on tall fescue pastures in spring; reserve fertilizing for fall.
Learn strategies to reduce financial loss after drought by adjusting pasture management and considering native warm-season grasses.
SEDALIA, Mo.—Many Missouri producers are asking if it is safe to use soybeans for livestock forage. The topic was brought up repeatedly by attendees at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri livestock and forage specialists are reporting ergot infestations that can cause major losses in livestock, said MU Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Get a head start on pastures for the year with good management of spring flush, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann.Early decisions determine pasture health for the rest of the season, Naumann says.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Beef producers should approach 2023 with cautious optimism – matched with resolutions of good management and investment in infrastructure, says University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist Wesley Tucker.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Start stockpiling fescue mid-August for healthier and more profitable cattle, says University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts.Stockpiling fescue saves time and money by reducing the need to feed hay.
Frost seed legumes in cool-season pastures to boost cattle weight and profits while improving pasture health.
Toxic buttercup in pastures causes mouth blisters, gastrointestinal irritation, and possibly death in cattle; dries safer than fresh.
Farmers consider corn silage for winter: higher in digestible nutrients than hay, but costlier and spoilage-prone unless stored and hauled carefully.
Estimate winter feed costs for beef cows based on hay quality and calving season to optimize expenses and ensure proper nutrition.
High cattle prices boost profits, but mistakes cost more. Smart management ensures gains today and security tomorrow.
Missouri livestock producers face drought challenges and must adjust herd sizes and feed strategies to stay profitable.
Implement strategies to improve cattle and forage management for year-round grazing success.
ST. JAMES, Mo. – Cattle producers are invited to attend a field day at the Mingo Farm in St. James to learn how to use natural shade to improve their beef operation.
Cattle may face prussic acid poisoning from sorghum grasses; monitor pastures carefully to prevent sudden livestock deaths.
Cattle producers can assess the past year’s productivity, improve herd recordkeeping and use clear ID methods.
MONETT, Mo. – Fourth-generation farmer Mike Meier knows change will help his family’s Century Farm survive.The rotational grazing and breeding system he uses for his dairy herd works. Now he wants to apply those principles to beef cattle. “At 56, I wanted to go in a different direction,” he says.
Cheap hay can cost more in the long run due to poor quality, storage, and feeding practices.
Cold snaps can trigger fescue foot in cattle grazing toxic fescue, leading to lameness and hoof loss. Early detection helps prevent losses.
High heat and humidity after a wet spring increase ergot risk in tall fescue, posing dangers to livestock and humans.
GALENA, Mo. – Ernest Newton Fergus, a University of Kentucky forage specialist in the 1930s and 1940s, did the livestock industry a great favor when he propagated Kentucky 31 fescue, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cool-season grasses such as fescue that dominate pasture grass in Missouri need warm weather to grow.
Grazing corn residue provides cattle with low-cost, nutritious forage while extending the grazing season and reducing feed costs.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – An emergency feeding situation is shaping up for Missouri’s beef producers because of the drought.
Grazing cornstalks can help fill cattle feed gaps during drought, but supplementation and careful management are needed.
With cattle markets falling, livestock specialist Zac Erwin with MU Extension in Adair County discusses some feed options to hold cattle longer in this video on the Missouri Livestock Symposium Facebook page.
Deep roots help grass survive drought, but overgrazing weakens root systems. Rotational grazing boosts pasture growth and efficiency.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In dry weather with short pastures, Missouri cow-herd owners face tough culling decisions. One way to match cows’ needs to available grass is to sell cows.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought continues to plague southwestern and west-central Missouri as pastures dry and cattle producers start to feed hay well ahead of schedule.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought increases the chance of nitrate poisoning and prussic acid poisoning. High concentrations in plants and water can harm or even kill animals.
Attend free SW Missouri meetings Aug. 4 for cattle producers on drought survival, hay management, and feeding strategies.
GALENA, Mo. – “If there was ever a year to focus on stockpiled tall fescue, this is it,” says Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist in Galena.
Drought strains hay supplies; cattle producers can improve efficiency with feed testing, supplements, and careful ration planning.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Early wean calves to reduce cow herd nutrient needs to match drought-limited feed resources,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In addition, early weaning can improve calf performance because calves are put on a more nutritious diet…
Learn how to assess the economic pros and cons of renovating endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures for better livestock health and forage yield.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain makes grass grow. That’s good for grazing livestock, but makes haying difficult.Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist, sees unusual potential for cattle producers.
COLUMBIA. Mo. – Shortage of cattle forage forces some Ozark herd owners to chop trees to feed leaves. That method was used in big droughts of the 1930s and 1950s.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Newly made spring hay finally being baled in June may be toxic for cattle. Hold off on feeding new hay, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.The longer the hay can be stored after baling, the less toxic it becomes.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – To reduce fescue foot, a long-used plan to feed winter hay after grazing down fall pastures should be changed. A University of Missouri Extension forage specialist says it’s backwards. Feed hay first; then graze stockpiled winter pastures.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fifth-generation rancher Eric Bailey joins University of Missouri Extension as state beef nutrition specialist.
Learn how to plant and manage warm-season annuals like pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass to maintain quality forage during summer shortages.
Learn how baleage makes spring forage harvest faster and easier, turning tough haymaking into a manageable task.
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture yield, cattle health, and reduces fertilizer costs in Missouri fields.
Tad and Kim Carnahan transitioned from Colorado to Missouri's agriculture, adopting rotational grazing and sustainable practices to enhance their cattle operation.
Connect with local feedstuff sellers or buyers. Browse listings of hay, baleage, silage, and coproducts. Compare prices and estimate delivery costs.
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…
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture yield and quality, reduces fertilizer needs, and supports livestock health and grazing profits.
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture quality, yield, and soil health by adding diversity early in the growing season.
STOCKTON, Mo. – Add legumes to grazing pastures to improve cow performance, soil health and forage production, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in Cedar County.
Frost-seeding legumes boosts pasture health, lowers input costs, improves soil fertility, and supports cattle growth even in drought-prone areas.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – High nitrogen prices make it especially important to consider frost seeding legumes this winter, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.
Gradual weaning reduces calf stress, lowers disease risk, and boosts profits. Methods like nose clips and fence-line weaning improve post-weaning success.
STOCKTON, Mo. – St. Clair County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Missouri Extension, and Missouri Forage and Grassland Council will hold a school on management-intensive grazing May 9-10 in Osceola.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Recent rains have given producers hope that they will be able to plant wheat this fall. Producers may be looking to plant wheat not only for a grain crop but also to provide some fall and early spring grazing, says a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Stockpile fescue pastures now to cut winter feed costs and improve cattle nutrition.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain-delayed haymaking leads to poor-quality feed for livestock next winter. Supplemental feed will be needed to make balanced rations, says University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Rob Kallenbach.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Temperatures drop, sunshine dims and pastures stop growing. That’s when cow nutrition becomes critical, says Justin Sexten, University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist.More hay was baled in 2013 than in the drought of 2012. But quantity doesn’t equal quality. Much of the hay…
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Weigh, test and sample hay before buying or selling, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many beef and dairy calves will be born in the next three months. As spring calving season approaches, University of Missouri Extension experts stress the importance of properly caring for newborn calves.
GALENA, Mo. – With a shortage of standing forage for cattle and the low availability of hay, it is more important than ever this winter to reduce waste when feeding hay.Hay waste is normal, but it can be controlled and minimized, said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim…
Stockpile Missouri pastures by fertilizing now and delaying grazing to save hay and boost forage quality through winter.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — The greening of pastures and the rising of temperatures have led ruminant-livestock owners to start thinking about the upcoming haying season.
Rainfall affects hay quality, yield, and digestibility. Learn when rained-on hay can still be useful and why testing is important.
Removing fescue seed heads helps reduce toxins, improve cattle health, and boost pasture quality through clipping, haying, or spraying.
Learn how excess Kentucky bluegrass in pastures can limit forage yield and when to interseed alternative grasses for better productivity.
STOCKTON, Mo.- Add legumes to grazing pastures to improve cattle performance and forage production, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis.
Frost-seed clovers and lespedeza now, Davis says. They grow well with cool-season grasses in Missouri and improve…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Adding poultry litter or nitrogen to toxic fescue pastures grows more grass, but also boosts toxins in the grass.
Check fescue seed labels to ensure healthy livestock and long-lasting pastures with the right novel-endophyte seed.
Cutting hay in May boosts quality and yield. Harvest before seed develops and store properly to preserve nutrients and minimize losses.
Learn how to manage ergot infestations in pastures to protect livestock health. Tips on mowing, haymaking, and recognizing symptoms of ergot poisoning.
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Beef herd owners serious about improving fescue pastures—and their beef herds—can learn how in a March 6 meeting at the University of Missouri Southwest Research Center, Mount Vernon.
Learn effective strategies for renovating drought-affected pastures, including no-till drilling, emergency forage options, and long-term forage solutions.
MU Extension’s “What the Hay?” webinar series focus on forage, fertilizer, fixes and funds, says agricultural business specialist Amie Breshears. It runs 12:15-12:45 p.m. Thursdays from Oct. 2 to Nov. 6.
Missouri cattle producers: Attend the Feedlot School in Kirksville, March 22-23, to learn about cattle nutrition, health management, and economics.
Help for Missouri firms to create and maintain FSMA-compliant feed safety plans and proper documentation.
HERMITAGE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers cattlemen a bus tour of cattle operations in Kansas and Oklahoma Aug. 6-9.MU Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis said the tour offers an opportunity to learn to manage herds better to make them healthier and more profitable.…
Implementing proper hay storage and feeding practices can reduce waste and preserve quality.
A new initiative in northwest Missouri assists beef producers in enhancing whole-herd record-keeping practices.
Recruiting farmers to adopt grassland management practices for improved forage productivity and environmental benefits with specialist support.
Farmers get guidance and cost-share help to convert cropland to pasture using rotational grazing and conservation practices.
A forage specialist launches a podcast sharing tips on pasture management, livestock production, and improving forage systems.
Sunn hemp boosts rotational grazing by providing high-protein forage, improving soil health, and enhancing cattle gain while reducing summer slump.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Researchers at University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center in Mount Vernon are starting their third year of studying if beef producers can improve profits through a “double” calf stocking and grazing plan.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought continues to plague growers and livestock producers in parts of Missouri, especially in the southwest corner of the state, raising concerns about feed availability.
Find hay for sale in Missouri with this searchable online directory from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
Discover how native warm-season grasses can sustain forage for livestock during drought by offering heat-tolerant feed when cool-season grasses decline.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nitrates and prussic acid build up in forages to levels dangerous to livestock during drought.Livestock face severe illness and even death after eating affected forages, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Jamie Gundel.
Nitrogen boosts fescue yields but raises toxins, so manage fertilizer carefully to protect animal health.
Explore emergency forage options to sustain livestock during ongoing drought and feed shortages.
Missouri hay producers showcased their work at the Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show, featuring 49 entries from 30 participants, highlighting top-quality hay.