Monett Agriculture Conference Set For Feb. 24
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
MONETT, MISSOURI
The Monett Agriculture Conference once again features dairy during the morning session and beef production in the evening. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Monett Armory in Monett will be filled with vendors supporting the education event for agriculturalist of the region, said University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel.
The free conference begins at 11 a.m. with an engaging group of experts to focus in on the topics that impact the bottom line for dairy producers, Bluel said.
Bluel says Bill Brooks from Stoneheart Consulting will encapsulate all the market pressures in his insightful dairy market outlook. Massimo Montalbano, Dairy Farmers of America SE, will help producers understand how milk quality directly affects the pay price and overall bottom line. Finally, Bluel will address the long-term impacts of heat stress in the dry period, implications on the dry cow and her calf.
“With tight margins predicted for 2026, come to learn how a few shifts in management can provide a big return,” she said.
The evening beef conference begins at 6 p.m. A panel of producers, seed stock Angus breeders and a feedlot order buyer will discuss what kind of genetics to have in mind to build a herd that is efficient, easy to manage and highly desirable for the markets that are interested in buying calves from southwestern Missouri. This conference will also offer a presentation by extension faculty to discuss some examples where integrating stockers into an existing cow-calf operation have made cattle enterprises more resilient and profitable through drought by enabling managers to have more fluid stocking in response to their variable forage inventory. Bill Brooks will once again take the stage with a 2026 market outlook for the beef industry.
“This beef cattle focused conference certainly has the makings for a very interesting and thought-provoking evening for beef cattle managers” says Ian McGregor, MU Extension livestock field specialist.
Both lunch and supper are available to those who preregister, free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors. Any additional funds collected will provide funding for a youth in agriculture scholarship, coordinated by the Monett Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors include: Arvest Bank, Crown Power & Equipment, Dairy Farmers of America, Drury University, Elder Farms, First State Bank of the Ozarks, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri, Goswick Ag, Main Street Feeds and Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance.
Registration by Feb. 21 is required for a meal.
You may also register by calling the Barry County MU Extension Center at 417-847-3161 or the Lawrence County MU Extension Center at 417-466-3102. ∆
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION