Farms.com Home  › News

National Survey Looks at Beef Producers' Bull-Buying Decisions

By Sydney Winn

A new national survey aims to better understand how beef producers make bull-buying decisions and how extension programs can better support those producers.

The survey is being conducted by eBEEF, a nationwide network of extension specialists in beef cattle genetics, including University of Missouri Extension’s Jamie Courter. The survey focuses on bull and semen selection practices, breeding goals and the challenges producers face when making genetic decisions.

This survey is designed specifically for beef producers who make genetic selection decisions on their operations. Results will guide extension education, training and research related to beef genetics, Courter said.

“The best way to understand the needs of the beef industry is to hear from them directly,” he said. “Better understanding the needs and ideas of Missouri beef producers and those across the U.S. will help all extension professionals better serve the industry. It will drive research projects and extension materials for the foreseeable future, until it’s time to ask these same questions again.”

Source : missouri.edu

Trending Video

Next Mile Ep 1: Navigating Disease Prevention

Video: Next Mile Ep 1: Navigating Disease Prevention

The Next Mile, host Dr. Meredith Petersen, Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Board, sits down with Dr. Cara Haden, Director of Animal Welfare and Biosecurity at Pipestone, to unpack the National Swine Health Strategy and what it means for producers across the country.

Meredith walks through how the strategy came together: a producer-led effort launched in March 2025 in response to input gathered at the National Pork Industry Forum, built around two core goals, keeping foreign and emerging diseases out of the U.S. herd and reducing the impact of domestic diseases already here, including long-term elimination targets for PRRSV and PEDV.

Cara then brings the conversation down to the farm level, sharing how Pipestone scores biosecurity across seven key areas: air, feed, water, people, supplies, trucks and pigs, plus everything within the farm perimeter. She and Meredith dig into why farm leadership and daily culture, not just protocols on paper, ultimately determine whether biosecurity efforts stick.

Whether you're a producer, veterinarian, or anyone invested in herd health, this episode offers a grounded look at where the industry is headed and what everyday habits make the biggest difference.