By Blake Jackson
Beef producers looking to expand and strengthen their herds will have an opportunity to gain valuable insights at the upcoming “Retain With Intention: Building a Better Missouri Cow Herd” program, scheduled for May 5-6 at the University of Missouri’s Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia.
“Beef heifers represent a great opportunity for increasing cowherd numbers and diversifying enterprises,” said Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist.
Bailey’s session will focus on the value of replacement heifers and the range of marketing opportunities available to producers. He will highlight how even open heifers can still generate returns as freezer-beef animals.
In addition, Bailey plans to share cost-effective approaches for managing surplus heifers and discuss strategies for marketing heavier females to cattle feeders. Nutrition will also be a key focus, with guidance on feeding practices before and after breeding to promote long-term productivity.
Jamie Courter, MU Extension state beef genetics specialist, emphasized that the program is designed to help producers make informed, profit-driven decisions.
“Participants will leave with a clear, step-by-step framework for choosing heifers that fit their environment, improve longevity and strengthen long-term profitability,” Courter said.
The event will cover a wide range of topics, including defining breeding objectives, using expected progeny differences (EPDs), genomic tools, and performance data for selection decisions.
Attendees will also learn how to ensure heifers reach puberty on time, improve reproductive success, and meet key benchmarks for first-calf heifers.
Additional sessions will address economic considerations, including how to evaluate the financial impact of retaining versus selling heifers at weaning and how to align decisions with forage resources and market conditions.
The program will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5 and from 7:30 a.m. to noon on May 6. Registration is required by April 28.
For registration, visit https://pears.io/events/mu/5052/.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle