Two of the three gifts of the Wise Men – frankincense and myrrh – remain in high demand more than 5,000 years after gaining popularity in religious rituals, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
An upcoming in-depth soil fertility school from University of Missouri Extension for row crop and forage producers will address all aspects of soil fertility topics. The program will cover topics of soils and soil characteristics; soils supplying nutrients and CEC; soil pH and liming; nitrogen processes, products, and management; phosphorus and efficiency; potassium; secondary and micronutrients, starters and other placement methods along with foliar; understanding soil test information and testing procedures, tissue testing and precision nutrient management and nutrient deficiency symptoms.
In my opinion, disposition is one of the most overlooked traits that beef cattle producers should be selecting for. Most all of the breed associations now have EPD’s (expected progeny differences) for disposition. Disposition is a moderate to highly heritable trait (.37). This heritability indicates that significant progress can be made by selecting for more docile cattle. We all know that calmer, quieter cattle are easier to handle and process. In addition, they are also safer for the human handlers involved. Most beef producers are in the business to make money and most would agree that they prefer gentle cattle. However, the question most ask is do gentle cattle make more money? Research in this area is somewhat limited. However, Dr. Darrell Busby published a study in 2009 that summarized data from the Tri-County Carcass Steer Futurity that had some interesting findings. Cattle were evaluated for disposition based on chute scores and exit velocity from the chute. When comparing quiet or calm cattle to aggressive cattle, calmer cattle had higher average daily gains, lower feed to gain, lower death loss and higher percentages grading Prime and Choice. Also in 2009, Berg reported that cattle with higher exit velocities had significantly higher toughness in their steaks based on Warner-Bratzler shear force values. Another study conducted by Voisinet in 1997 showed that feedlot average daily gain was reduced by .40 pounds per day when temperament scores ranged from calm to continuous movement in a chute. In summary, disposition is definitely a convenience trait and also one that has economic importance. More cattlemen should be selecting for improved disposition, especially if they are retaining ownership through the feedlot phase.
“Measure to manage: exploring management strategies to cut costs, increase performance, and capture value” will be the theme of the next Three-State Beef Conference, to be held at locations across Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska in January.
One of Chillicothe’s most prominent ambassadors has been named to the Academy of Missouri Squires. Gov.
The Linn County Farm Bureau Board met Thursday, December 15, in Brookfield. Attending the meeting were Marc Zell, Steve and Jill Hardy, Caleb Henke, Donald Herring, Alexis Brixey, and Rachael Osterman, secretary.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the search for an 88-year-old woman who has been missing for a year. On Friday, December 17, 2021, at around 4:24 p.m., the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a missing person.
On Dec. 1, Life Care Center of Brookfield hired Wiktor Slawinski as its new executive director.