Breeding-season tips for beef producers will be given at a workshop, starting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at the University of Missouri Thompson Farm.
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Breeding-season tips for beef producers will be given at a workshop, starting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at the University of Missouri Thompson Farm.
Attention to the bulls, heifers and cows ahead of the breeding season can pay off in a larger calf crop, said MU specialists who will be speaking.
“Knowing the bull is good before the breeding season can prevent a real train wreck,” said Loren Schultz of the MU School of Veterinary Medicine. He will speak on the importance of bull examinations for pre-breeding soundness.
Schultz has worked at the USDA Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, NE. He has a master’s degree in herd health from Kansas State University.
Other topics to be covered include a review of artificial insemination procedures involving heat detection, timing of insemination, semen handling and proper AI technique.
David Patterson, MU extension beef specialist, will tell of recent research at the Thompson Farm on improving fertility of heifers and cows. The MU research is aimed at synchronizing cows ahead of the breeding season to more closely group the calves.
Synchronization can be used with natural service or artificial insemination. The MU scientists are close to developing a system for timed insemination that reduces the problems of heat detection.
The workshop will run until all the questions are answered, said Gene Schmitz, regional livestock specialist at Princeton. Formal presentations end at 8:30 p.m.
“We’ll have feed dealers and breeding service representatives available to answer questions at their exhibits,” Schmitz said.
There is no fee, however those planning to attend are asked to call the Mercer County Outreach and Extension Center at 660-748-3315 to register.
David McAtee, farm manager, will have cookies and coffee available at the break time.
The MU research farm is located seven miles west of Spickard on Highway C in northeast Grundy County.