Research For Beef Conference Done At Spickard

by Duane Dailey
University of Missouri
Extension Senior Writer
When national attention shifts to Joplin on Aug. 31 for a two-day Beef Reproduction Conference, the sweet spot will remain at Spickard. Cows at the MU Thompson Farm in Grundy County point the beef industry in a new direction.

Many of the planned talks about improving profits by selling high-quality beef are tied to research in the Thompson herd.
That herd at an MU Agricultural Experiment Station gave David Patterson a way to develop ideas about improving beef herds through better heifers. He started at the University of Kentucky; but, moved to this cow-calf state.
Getting high quality replacement heifers into a herd starts the process toward quality beef. It is management and genetics.
Let’s skip over how the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program grew. Early SMS adopters have made thousands of additional dollars.
Now out-of-state buyers come to buy potloads of calving-ease heifers. To see excitement in a sale barn, watch a couple of those bidders trying to fill their trucks before heading home. After the fall sale at Palmyra, people stood and applauded. It was quite a show.
I’ve never seen so many happy producers.
Research on making better heifers almost eliminated death losses suffered before “calving ease” was adopted.
The big story in Joplin will be about selling half-sib steers of those genetically superior heifers. (The heifers won’t be forgotten as their value remains vital.) It’s surprising how much value those steers add. Of course with steers, no one gives a hoot about “calving ease.” But, the same proven superior sires that make heifers also make meatier steers.
The economic downturn has been an eye-opener for beef marketers. You’d expect sale of USDA Prime grade steaks to slump in a recession. Not!
Those high-end quality steaks sell so strong it’s becoming difficult to find enough of them. We have plenty of commodity beef to grind into hamburger. But, marketers are concerned about getting Prime and upper Choice grades.
While the Thompson Farm herd was genetically upgraded to produce those calving-ease heifers, the steers got increasing attention. MU researchers started retaining ownership (note those words) and sending the steers to Kansas feedlots.
Last year, those steers won first place in the second quarter of the Angus Source Carcass Challenge. That’s first place in the central states against a lot of feedlot calves.
Dave Patterson called Friday to ask: “Are you sitting down?” The Thompson steers won first place again in 2011.
I don’t have details, but “our calves” graded 89.5 percent “CAB and Prime” on the U.S. Premium Beef grid. Nationally just over 3 percent of all steers grade Prime. MU steers beat that 10 times over.
CAB brand, marketed by Certified Angus Beef, means the meat goes into the high-end markets. Those Prime quality loins are hot in international trade, especially Japan.
That trade helps balance our deficit. (Hello, Washington?)
Missouri producers who adopted the artificial insemination protocols developed at Thompson Farm are already collecting their premiums.
Producers who raise quality beef have a chance to stay in farming.
Those stories will be told at the Joplin Repro Conference. New research on the next protocols will be revealed. The economics of beef marketing will be told.
The meeting is in Missouri the first time since 2006. I hope Missouri producers grab the chance to learn—and jump on the quality band wagon. Missourians should profit from MU research.
A sneak peek at the early-bird list alarms me. Mostly out-of-state producers have registered.
The new key becomes steers that make flavorful, tender steaks. That’s what consumers want. They like Prime. And, they have money for quality. Surely, Missourians could use some of that money.
Registration forms are on the MU Conference Office Website. The registration fee is less than the price premium from one Prime steer above what an ordinary calf will bring.