Beef and Forage Reports Set for MU Field Day in Columbia

Beef and forage producers will hear and see researchresults in 17 demonstrations throughout a beef field day, Oct. 7, at theUniversity of Missouri South Farm.
"These are ideas that farmers can take home and use," said Monty Kerley,MU professor of beef nutrition. Major discussion areas are beefreproduction and nutrition, and agronomy.
The field day features present research and extension programs, Kerleysaid. There also will be a look ahead to new research at the beef farm,officially known as the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm.
"Farm buildings, feedlots and grazing paddocks are being upgraded toallow us to do new things," Kerley said.
MU students and their professors will begin demonstrations at 9:00 a.m.,running through 4:30 p.m. Registration opens at 8 a.m.; coffee anddoughnuts will be served.
Ten demonstrations on beef feeding include forage management forefficient cows, feed-bunk management, use of ethanol byproduct feedssuch as dried distillers grains (DDGS), and optimal levels of DDGS forcalves on tall fescue pastures.
In the forage agronomy section, Rob Kallenbach, MU Extension specialist,will lead pasture walks on the new grazing paddock system. Researchersare working to provide year-round grazing for the beef herd. They alsowill tell about pasture weed management, forage systems for stockercalves and Roundup Ready alfalfa.
In beef management, producers can see "inside" a calf's body withultrasound devices used to study carcass composition.
MU geneticists will talk about the role of cattle disposition and on theimportance EPDs (expected progeny differences) in sire selection.
New methods of synchronized breeding in herds will be discussed anddemonstrated by David Patterson, MU Extension beef reproductionspecialist. His team developed methods to breed all cows in a herd onone day.
Patterson's group will tell how to join the Show-Me Select Heiferprogram that develops replacement heifers with improved genetics. Theywill share new methods of synchronized breeding of heifers developed aspart of the Show-Me Select project.
Guest speakers at noon will include Mike John, Huntsville, Mo., rancherand president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He willbring industry updates.
Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, willtell of the importance of the beef industry to the state's economy. Healso will discuss the state's programs for quality systems assessment(QSA) and for Missouri-branded beef.
MDA officials will have a booth to register premise identifications forthe federal disease tracking program.
Ron Plain, MU livestock economist, will give a beef price outlook.
There will be drawings for door prizes during the free luncheon. Peopleplanning to attend the lunch are asked to make reservations by callingJudy Burton at 573-882-7327.
"The MU beef farm is easy to see, but somewhat difficult to reach," saidPhillip Brooks, MU farm manager. The farm is just north of the KOMU-TVtower, near U. S. Highway 63 south of Columbia. Turn east on Old MillersRoad, just south of the TV station. "The landmark for the turn is theweather radar dome," Brooks said.
"Come see us, but be careful crossing the busy four-lane highway."