Livestock Tour Highlights Farms, Research Facilities In Oklahoma, Texas

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION

STOCKTON, MISSOURI

 “The MU Extension Livestock Bus Tour will visit livestock operations in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas beginning Sept. 22,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.

MU Extension livestock field specialists are collaborating on the four-day tour, which begins Sept. 22 at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center in Mount Vernon. The tour will focus primarily on cattle operations and include a couple of stops that co-manage small ruminants and cattle.

“Reproductive technologies are important to livestock productivity,” says Davis. The tour will include a stop at Flying Cow Genetics in Welch, Oklahoma. Founded by Tony Small as a large-animal veterinary practice, the facility has expanded to offer cattle embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization services, including donor aspiration, embryo development, embryo freezing and transfer to recipient cows. Flying Cow Genetics also provides pregnancy checks for cows and semen evaluations for bulls, giving participants a broad look at cattle reproductive technologies.

“Co-species management can help improve operation profitability,” says Davis. The tour will visit 3J Farms in Blanchard, Oklahoma, where sheep and cattle are managed together. Participants will learn about successful strategies for managing both species in the same operation.

“Staying current on livestock research is important for making sound management decisions,” he says. The tour will include a stop at the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where participants will learn about ongoing forage and livestock research, including projects involving cattle and small ruminants.

“Cattle operation tours give participants practical knowledge and management strategies they can apply to improve their own operations,” says Davis. The tour will visit seedstock cattle operations that raise Angus, Longhorn, Brangus, Red Angus, Limousin and Hereford cattle. Stops include Stone Valley Limousin, Cashion, Oklahoma; Pfeiffer Angus Farm in Mulhall, Oklahoma; Schumacher Cattle LLC in Era, Texas; Timber Creek Ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma; Walck Cattle Company in Ada, Oklahoma; Jamison Ranch in Beggs, Oklahoma; and The 808 Ranch in Anderson, Missouri.

“Grass-finished beef is a niche market that can add value to cattle operations,” says Davis. The tour will stop at Payne Ranch Cattle Co. in Saint Jo, Texas, were commercial Red Angus cattle graze rotationally on native grasses and forbs. Steer calves are grass-fed, finished and sold by private treaty, then processed locally for customers primarily in North Texas.

“Understanding the cattle production process from conception to consumption can help producers make better management decisions and raise cattle for the consumer market,” he says. This knowledge also can benefit producers interested in adding beef sales to their operations. The tour will visit D Bar Beef LLC in Pryor, Oklahoma, where participants will learn about the operation, its processing facility and its beef marketing program.

The tour costs $550 per person, with payment due by Aug. 25. The fee covers hotel lodging and bus transportation; participants are responsible for all other expenses. To attend, mail payment by Aug. 25 to the Hickory County MU Extension Center, 22126 U.S. Highway 54, Hermitage, MO 65668.

To register or request more information, contact the Hickory County MU Extension Center at 417-745-6767 or Davis at 417-276-3313 or davismp@missouri.edu.   ∆

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION