“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 will talk about this opportunity at the May 5-6 “Retain With Intention: Building a Better Missouri Cow Herd” program at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia.
His presentation will cover marketing opportunities for replacement heifers, noting that even open heifers remain valuable as freezer-beef prospects. He will outline creative, cost-effective strategies for developing surplus heifers and marketing heavier females to cattle feeders. Bailey will also discuss nutrition before and after breeding to support long-term herd productivity.
Jamie Courter, MU Extension state beef genetics specialist, said the program will help producers make profit-focused decisions using genetics, nutrition and reproductive management. Extension specialists will provide tools to evaluate genetics, nutrition, fertility and performance data when selecting and developing replacement heifers.
“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.
Source : missouri.edu