Beef cattle breeding : article
FRUITLAND, Mo. – In the fourth of six Show-Me-Select fall sales, replacement heifers brought an average price of $2,010 on 76 head.The heifers bred to calve next spring came from herd owners enrolled in the University of Missouri heifer development program. The heifers have improved genetics and…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As breeding seasons for seasonal pasture-based dairy herds and beef cows approach, it might be time to consider if a new estrus synchronization protocol developed by the University of Missouri could benefit your operation.
Strong genetics and careful management help producers build profitable beef cow herds with healthier calves and higher returns.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Spring Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sales saw heavy interest and strong prices, says Erin Larimore, sales coordinator for University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program.
High cattle prices boost profits, but mistakes cost more. Smart management ensures gains today and security tomorrow.
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – With the U.S. cattle inventory at its lowest point in more than 70 years, artificial insemination (AI) could boost numbers, says University of Missouri Extension dairy field specialist Chloe Collins.
“The need to rebuild the national herd is urgent,” she says.
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.
Learn how early pregnancy detection and timely culling of non-pregnant heifers boosts herd efficiency, sale value, and feed resource use.
Prepare your herd with exams, vaccinations, nutrition, and breeding plans for a successful cattle breeding season.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Beef-cow herd owners will learn new ways to raise better calves at three University of Missouri meetings in March. The sessions lead producers from proven breeding to new uses of DNA.MU Extension animal scientists David Patterson and Jared Decker will lead the ReproGene Meetings.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Record calf birthdates this calving season to track calving distribution.“Evaluating a calving distribution takes very little time but can provide valuable insight into reproductive performance and productivity of the herd,” says University of Missouri Extension veterinarian Craig…
Learn the 4 O's—open, old, ornery, other—to cull unproductive cows and protect herd profitability.
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.
Palmyra’s final 2024 Show-Me-Select heifer sale set a record with $1.16 million in sales as buyers purchased 323 bred heifers.
Four southeastern Missouri cattle producers were honored for over 25 years of service to the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program.
VIENNA, Mo. - The May 21 Show-Me-Select Bred Heifer Sale at South Central Regional Stockyards in Vienna, Mo., saw a full house with lively bidding.
Use genetics and breeding strategies to improve cow fertility and build a stronger, more productive herd.
University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program offers increased marketing prospects and premium value, according to an analysis by Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist, and Adauto Rocha Junior, assistant extension professor of agricultural…
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.
Farmington Show-Me-Select sale averages $1,790 per heifer, with top lots reaching $2,450 and strong repeat buyers.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Making quality beef for more farm profits becomes predictable by using genetic testing.Meetings across Missouri will review current breeding technology and explain new genomic tools.University of Missouri Extension specialists plan meetings in Maryville, Kingsville, Macon,…
Central Missouri heifer sale sees high turnout, active bidding, and strong prices for quality Show-Me-Select heifers.
STOCKTON, Mo. – Make sure bulls are physically and reproductively sound before the fall breeding season, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new estrus synchronization protocol evaluated at the University of Missouri greatly improves heat response and pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI in beef cows.
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.…
Show-Me-Select heifer program saw strong 2023 sales, high-quality heifers, and growing demand despite drought challenges.
Twenty years of beef breeding research at Thompson Farm show more uniform, high-quality calves and improved herd genetics.
Show-Me Select fall-calving heifer sale draws new buyers and highlights quality genetics, reproductive health and marketing advantages for cattle producers.
A new guide outlines how beef producers can add genomic information to Show-Me-Select heifers to boost marketing value and genetic insight.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new manual, Whole System Management of Beef Cattle Reproduction, is available through University of Missouri Extension, said Jordan Thomas, extension state beef reproduction specialist.
Palmyra's Show-Me-Select heifer sale set a record average of $2,118 per head, with repeat buyers and first-time sellers participating.
SEDALIA, Mo. – Weaning spring calves may be more of a challenge this year because of short pasture supplies and the questionable nutritional value of this year’s hay crop.
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.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “It is time to begin preparing for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. In preparation for the upcoming breeding season, Davis will discuss management strategies to make sure bulls are ready for a successful…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cows need to conceive and calve early to earn their keep.
University of Missouri Extension beef cow-calf specialist Jordan Thomas says managing for a short or even an “ultra-short” calving season should determine which cows get to stay on the farm. Late-conceiving cows should go to…
“Proper identification is key to management of cattle for optimum production and profitability,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist. Identification is important in tracking cattle performance.
High-quality heifers averaged $2,427 at the Fruitland sale, with top genetics, AI-bred calves, and buyers competing for strong bids.
Boost your herd’s success with proper heifer development, nutrition, breeding, and health management strategies.
Record prices set at the SW Missouri Show-Me-Select heifer sale with high averages and strong buyer demand.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Reproductive efficiency is important to the productivity and profitability of your cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. One way to promote optimum cow herd reproductive efficiency is to cull open heifers following their…
CUBA, Mo. – Beef herd owners profit from fewer calf death losses, steers grading USDA prime and cows staying in the herd longer. Improved herd performance comes from adding genetics to management.
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.
“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.
Fall-calving heifer sale draws first-time buyers with strong turnout and top lots averaging $1,815.
Show-Me-Select heifer sale in Joplin drew strong turnout, active bidding, and top prices reaching $2,200 per head.
Show-Me-Select heifers averaged $1,555 in Farmington’s first spring sale, offering calving-ease and quality genetics to buyers.
Show-Me-Select heifers averaged $1,787 at Fruitland's second spring sale, with top-quality Tier II heifers fetching up to $2,400.
Show-Me-Select heifers averaged over $2,600 per head in Fruitland fall sales, with strong demand for top genetics.
Show-Me-Select heifers averaged $1,872 at Kirksville Livestock, highlighting strong demand and top-quality breeding.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – U.S.
PALMYRA, Mo. – Twenty-nine buyers bought more than $305,000 worth of bred heifers in less than 60 minutes at the June 5 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale at F&T Livestock Auction in Palmyra.
Top-quality replacement heifers sold at Joplin Regional Stockyards, averaging $1,867 per head, with some fetching up to $2,200.
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.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Bull breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are important to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
Springfield's bull sale achieved strong prices, with 26 bulls averaging $5,458 each, highlighting a robust cattle market.
Southwest Missouri’s heifer sale saw 112 head average $3,205 per head, with top lots reaching $4,500.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “People are enjoying high cattle prices, and the 57th Southwest Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program sale on May 16 at Joplin Regional Stockyards near Carthage was no different,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Markets as well as limited feed resources may lead to early weaning fall calves,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Cattle producers may be limited on feed resources, and early weaning will help reduce cow herd nutrient need.
Researchers developed a method to remove defective sperm from artificial insemination samples, improving fertility rates and reducing costs in cattle breeding.