CAFNR/MOAES Research Magazine: Building Missouri’s Economic Impact

Thompson’s feedlot allows specialists the opportunity to feed and keep cattle in the state

 SPICKARD, MISSOURI

Beef cattle research was introduced at the Thompson Research Farm, located in Spickard, Mo., in 1963, and since that time the site has served as an important research location emphasizing premium cattle genetics.

Thompson, part of the Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (REEC) is continuing to build on that prestigious research resume. With the help of a USDA Rural Business Development Grant, the Research Farm has developed its own feedlot, allowing specialists the opportunity to feed and keep cattle in the state and build Missouri’s economic impact.

“If you look at Missouri, we produce about 1.7 to 1.8 million beef calves per year,” said Eric Bailey, an assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and state beef specialist with MU Extension. “Only 500,000 of those calves are backgrounded in the state, much less fed until harvest. There is a tremendous opportunity to keep a large number of animals in the state and increase the economic impact of the beef industry, and we’re hoping to show that at the Thompson Research Farm.”

Cattle in Missouri, including some at the Thompson Research Farm, are oftentimes sent to other states, like Kansas or Iowa, to be fed before they’re harvested. Bailey said Missouri isn’t really considered a finishing state for cattle, but he is hoping to change that – keeping the entire process within the state, from birth to harvest.

“We aren’t going to have the feedlot capacity for 1.7 million calves, but I sure think we can increase the number of calves finished in the state,” Bailey said.

Bailey, who led the charge for the USDA grant, brings a unique perspective to the project. As faculty at West Texas A&M University, he ran a research feedlot. With that past experience, he has helped prepare the feedlot at the Thompson Research Farm.

“Being able to work out at Thompson has been a real blessing and given me ample opportunities to try new projects,” Bailey said. “When I came here four years ago, I saw Missouri was a cow-calf state and exported a good portion of those calves. I’ve always seen a big opportunity, and I’m excited that we now have the opportunity to add value to the state by putting weight on calves after they are weaned.” ∆