CATTLEMAN
Magazine Publishing Office
2306 Bluff Creek Drive, #100, Columbia, MO 65201 Phone: 573-499-9162 • Fax: 573-499-9167
Andy Atzenweiler: Editor/Production/Ad Sales 816-210-7713 • E-mail: mobeef@sbcglobal.net
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association MCA Website: www.mocattle.com
Mike Deering, Executive Vice President - Ext 230 Mike@mocattle.com
Aly Francis, Manager of Strategic Solutions – Ext 235 Aly@mocattle.com
Miranda Zumbehl-Howard, Manager of Membership – Ext. 231 Miranda@mocattle.com
Lisa Stockhorst, Administrative Assistant – Ext 234 Lisa@mocattle.com
Missouri’s CattleWomen http://mocattle.com/missouricattlewomen.aspx
Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation www.mocattlemenfoundation.org
2025 MCA Officers
Jeff Reed, President 903-279-8360 • P.O. Box 35, Williamsville, MO 63967
Anita Vanderwert, President-Elect 573-808-3000 • 4902 Conchero Ct., Columbia, MO 65203
Charlie Besher, Vice President 573-866-2846 • RR 5, Box 2402, Patton, MO 63662
Marvin Dieckman, Treasurer 660-596-4163 • 28998 Hwy JJ, Cole Camp, MO 65325
Deb Thummel, Secretary 660-541-2606 • 12601 Hwy. 46, Sheridan, MO 64486
2025 MC A Regional Vice Presidents
Region 1: Ethan McNeill, 325 McMurry St. Paris, MO 65275 636-544-9943
Region 2: Blake McDonald, 250 Clonts Rd. Sullivan, MO 63080 • 573-205-7914
Region 3: Jack Davis, 21855 Siebert Rd. Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670 • 573-330-2928
Region 4: Dale Buhman, 3751 SW Taylor Rd. Clarksdale, MO 64430 • 816-244-9249
Region 5: Alex Haun, 1031 SW 600 Rd Holden, MO 64040 • 816-345-0005
Region 6: Warren Love, 8381 NE Hwy ZZ Osceola, MO 64776 • 417-830-1950
Region 7: Josh Worthington, 401 N. Dade 231 Dadeville, MO 65635 • 417-844-2601
MCA Regional Grazing Coordinators
Region 2 - Doug Mertens 573-489-5261 doug@mocattle.com
Region 3 - Kenneth Ball 417-818-6400 kenneth@mocattle.com
Region 4 - Sarah Kenyon 417-300-2976 sarah@mocattle.com
Missouri Cattlemen’s Youth Expo
It is almost time for the “can’t miss” weekend of the summer. The weekend will include both the 42nd Annual MCA All-Breeds Junior Show and the 3rd Annual MJCA Replacement Heifer Show & Sale. The expo will feature long-held traditions such as the MJCA Photo Contest, MJCA board interviews and elections, and the MJCA annual meeting while also bringing in new opportunities for junior members to feature their hard work at the state level. To learn more about both events, please turn to PAGES 26-29 or visit mocattle.com under junior programs.
22nd Annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry
The Cattlemen’s Steak Fry will be held on Saturday, June 14 at the Missouri State Fair Agricultural Building. Join us for a great steak dinner, raffles, live and silent auctions, and great conversation. You’ll find the details in this month’s magazine and on our website. This event is open to the public and we welcome anyone who wants to celebrate Missouri’s beef industry. Funds raised will benefit the MCA Political Action Committee to help elect leaders who understand and value agriculture to guide our state’s policy, now and in the future. For more information and registration instructions, see PAGE 23-24.
Show-Me-Select Heifer Replacement Program
We are partnering with Show-Me-Select again this year for an exclusive new member promotion drawing. All new Missouri Cattlemen’s Association members will be entered into a drawing for a $2,000 credit to a ShowMe-Select Replacement Heifer sale. To be considered a new member, you must not have been an MCA member within the last 12 months. Credit must be redeemed in the same calendar year at any of the spring or fall sales. Learn more on PAGE 78.
Member Benefits
With your MCA, MJCA and NCBA membership producers receive multiple discounts, benefits and educational opportunities. Each membership receives our weekly Prime Cuts newsletter and monthly magazine the Missouri Beef Cattleman. Other benefits for MCA and MJCA members include, Fringe Western Wear is offering 10% off total purchase in store and Jiffy Lube is offering a 15% discount to all locations across the United States, download the welcome letter online to show at your nearest Jiffy Lube. Visit mocattle.com for a full list of all member benefits or see PAGE 74.
Paul Schott, Schott Farms LLC, Hillsboro, MO
Rebecca Chevalier, Everton, MO
Meagan Noblin, Animal Clinic of Diamond, Diamond, MO
Susan Cook, Carl Junction, MO
Sierra Nickels, Raymondville, MO
Steve Williams, Will-Acres Farm, Neosho, MO
Liam Pavia, Lebanon, MO
Shawn & Linda Bowles, Neosho, MO
Chris & Kristina Ure, Cabool, MO
Johnny & Paula Bernard, Bernard Farms, Seneca, MO
Merrill White, Broken W Ranch, Rocky Comfort, MO
Kendall Miller, Whitewater, MO
Aaron Hawkins, Advance, MO
Brent Pogue, Desoto, MO
Luke Schad, Barnett, MO
Karley Smiley, Versailles, MO
Jess Wilson, Mountain Grove, MO
Payden Crain, Madison, MO
Steve Myers, Fulton, MO
Jayna Hibdon, Versailles, MO
Rhett Hibdon, Versailles, MO
Joshua Luebbering, St. Thomas, MO
Braden Schad, Barnett, MO
Ryan Ruch, Daisy, MO
Don Meyer, Boeuf Creek Ridge Farms LLC, New Haven, MO
Ann Dinger, Villa Ridge, MO
Fenton Nelsen, Warrensburg, MO
Phillip Eiberger, King City, MO
Robert Mergen, Green Ridge, MO
Jayna Richardson, Lincoln, MO
August Mergen, Green Ridge, MO
Brett Fenner, Sweet Springs, MO
Alexander Bauer, Windsor, MO
Alli Burke, Gilman City, MO
Scott Ballance, Clarence, MO
Kendra McMahon, Coffey, MO
Tyler Paxson, Paxson’s Weldong & Tire, Sheridon, MO
Shelly McTighe, Carden & Associates, Warrensburg, MO
Eleanor Murphy, Callao, MO
Alyssa Alcantara, Warsaw, MO
David & Denna Dana, Lathrop, MO
Robby Toops, Sedalia, MO
Tony & Tammy Shirk, Clarksdale, MO
Brynlee Thompson, Amity, MO
Bruce & Pat Whitsell, Clarksdale, MO
Bennett Heman, Napoleon, MO
Chad Lewis, Union Stat, MO
Corbin Stowell, Holden, MO
Kyleigh Stowell, Holden, MO
See the MCA Membership Form on page 67.
President’s Perspective with Jeff Reed
May is Beef Month
May has been a month of celebration across the state for May is Beef Month promotion. The Missouri Beef Industry Council has been busy promoting beef along with MCA affiliates. The month began in Governor Mike Kehoe’s office where he, Director of Agricultural Chris Chinn, MBIC Chairwoman Tracy Mershon and I shared in the honor of a few words and official presentation of the proclamation. We are very blessed with our elected and appointed leadership. It is not often we are able to share cattle working stories with the director of agriculture and the governor.
Missouri Beef days in Bolivar has turned into quite an event through its evolution. The event now includes a street festival, ag expo, cowboy church, beef and bourbon pairing, rodeo and more. I had the honor to speak at their Boots and Bling Annual Banquet about the status of the industry. If you have never attended, please put it on your calendar for next year.
As Mike, Nancy and Shannon have shared in their columns, we had a very productive legislative session. All of this is because of our member involvement— specifically Cowboys at the Capitol. If you attended one or multiple days this year, thank you, your attendance is making a difference.
The five new advisory councils will be filled on June 21 at our executive committee meeting. If you are interested, please express that to Mike Deering as soon as possible. Each of the five councils will have one person from each of the seven regions to increase the grassroots process already established through our association. The five councils are Ag and Food Policy; Cattle Marketing; Animal Care, Health and Well Being;
MCA President
Tax and Credit; and Property Rights, Federal Land and Environmental Management.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has been busy with a variety of issues, most notably the New World Screwworm. NCBA has been at the forefront of the battle to keep the border secure and if guidelines are not followed they will shut down livestock imports. The national organization continues to be engaged in trade deals and other policy related items as well.
There are two new task forces working to address a few issues. One is a convention task force where the group will be looking at the new dates and locations to host our the annual convention. This group will be looking across the state and across the calendar to see what options are feasible for future conventions. The chair of this task force in Scynthia Schnake. If you have ideas for dates or location, please reach out to her. They will be working on this throughout the summer with the goal of delivering some information back to the organization in August.
Bruce Mershon is chairing a task force revisiting our strategic plan. This plan is done every five years. I have asked a wide array of individuals with differing backgrounds to assist Bruce in the task force. They are Bruce Mershon; David Dick; Bobby Simpson; Mike John; Jennifer Poor; Marvin Dieckman, Keith Stevens; Craig Payne; and John Ridder. If you would like to provide input on this plan,, please contact one of these individuals.
As always, make sure you have a few good stories to tell.
CattleWomen’s Corner with Jennifer Poor
Summertime - It’s the Best!
June is one of my favorite months. School is out for summer, I am finished with my year end at school and have the next 7 weeks off to work on projects around the farm. It’s also my birthday month, and it’s YOUTH EXPO and STEAK FRY MONTH!! The Youth Expo and Steak Fry have both become my favorite MCA events of the year.
First and foremost, I love cows! If I could have a cow as a house pet, I would. If I could sleep in the barn with my favorite heifer, cow, and/or bull, I would. Even though I have days where I would sell the whole herd, I love our cows! When June rolls around and it’s time for us to make our way up to the state fairgrounds in
Officers of the Missouri CattleWomen
President: Jennifer Poor
417-372-0227 • poorfarmscattle@gmail.com • Pomona
President Elect: Darla Haines
573-473-6013 • darlahaines2003@yahoo.com • Mexico
Vice President: Mandy Weigand 660-909-6781 • weigandranch@hotmail.com • Warrensburg
Secretary: Terry Bettels
660-424-3444 • cbettels55@gmail.com • Butler
Treasurer: Mary Kay Lyle
816-387-1930 • marykaylyle@gmail.com • Savannah
Past President: Marsh Corbin
660-232-1836 • oldtrailsregion@gmail.com • Dover
CattleWomen President
Sedalia, I start to get a little giddy. Getting to see the end product of a kids years long project at the Youth Expo is always an exciting time for me. Since 2017 when Jason introduced me to our first herd of cattle, I can truly appreciate the sweat equity that these kids put into their cattle. I admire their dedication to our industry. I also admire their hard work that they put into all it takes to prepare their show animal. The responsibility that these kids have at such a young age, is greater than what some adults exhibit in a lifetime. This year we have our 42nd annual All Breeds Show and our 3rd Annual Replacement Heifer Show and Sale. I encourage you to take some time and come to the show. If you believe that these kids are our industry’s future, this is a perfect time to show them that you are invested in the future. You can come to Sedalia and volunteer during the show (call Aly Francis or Miranda Zumbehl-Howard), you can come and watch the show, or better yet, come up and buy some heifers at the replacement sale.
After all of the shows and sales, head over to the Ag building and enjoy a fun evening with fellow cattlemen and women at the PAC Steak Fry. Some people cringe when politics are mentioned. However our Annual PAC Steak Fry is one of the primary fundraisers for our PAC. Without our PAC, Missouri producers do not have much of a voice in Jefferson City or in Washington D.C. This is a way that guarantees our collective voices are heard. Politics may not be your thing, but I bet steak is. The volunteers that prepare and grill the steaks and cook all of the fixings know what they are doing. The steak that you get at the Steak Fry is one of the best
Beef French Dip with Au Jus
Slow-cooked beef Brisket has never tasted so good. Sliced thin and stacked on a hoagie roll, you almost don’t need the au jus. Almost.
Ingredients:
3 pounds beef Brisket Flat Half
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large sweet onions, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
Cooking:
1 package (1-1/4 ounces) dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 to 10 French rolls, split, toasted
Sliced provolone or Swiss cheese (optional)
1. Cut beef Brisket Flat Half into 3 to 4 pieces. Heat oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Place beef brisket in stockpot; brown pieces evenly. Remove brisket from stockpot; set aside.
2. Add onions to stockpot; cook on low heat 18 to 22 minutes until lightly caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add broth, soy sauce, soup mix and garlic. Return brisket to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until brisket is fork-tender.
Cook’s Tip: Beef brisket can be cooked, covered, in an oven preheated to 325°F for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until brisket is fork tender.
3. Remove brisket; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Carve brisket against the grain into very thin slices. Divide brisket evenly among rolls and top with prepared onions. Top with cheese, as desired. Close sandwiches.
Cook’s Tip: After carving, beef can be returned to cooking liquid and kept warm over low heat until ready to serve, if desired.
4. Serve sandwiches with cooking liquid on the side for dipping.
steaks you will eat off your farm. I promise you, I am not exaggerating. Besides the food and fundraising at the Steak Fry, you get to reconnect with your fellow cattlemen and cattlewomen. The evening is a win-win in my book.
Even though we are at the beginning of the summer, MCW is looking ahead to August and the Missouri State Fair and planning for the Showcase. We are getting our menus planned, cooking demonstrations scheduled, and our speakers scheduled. We would love for you to come and join us. We can always use help getting ingredients prepped for the cooking demonstrations or SWAG bags stuffed for those that come into the Showcase. If you are the outgoing type and love to talk, we would love for you to do a cooking demonstration. Young or old, we will take your help! If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to MCW Treasurer Mary Kay Lyle.
One last thing to start thinking about is the MJCA Youth Industry Tour coming up at the end of August. This event is a great opportunity for our kids to meet other MJCA members from other parts of Missouri. It
opens their eyes to places outside of their little corner of Missouri. If you don’t know of any kids that would benefit from this experience, reach out to your local affiliate. I’m sure someone there knows of a youth that would want to go on the tour.
Growing up, my mom made some of the BEST French Dips. This one is a close second to mom’s French Dip. Enjoy!
All I have ever done is sell and
trailers. Give me a call for your next trailer 800-897-9840 www.Jimsmotors.com Commodity
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Straight Talk
with Mike Deering
The 2025 Legislative Session
The 2025 legislative session ended last month when the Senate imploded after the Republican majority stopped floor debate by invoking a rarely used motion known as the PQ (previous question) to force votes on abortion and paid sick leave. Given that all functionality halted, the Senate adjourned two days early. Thankfully, your association was still able to garner several wins. This was largely a result of members coming to Jefferson City every Wednesday to talk face-to-face with legislators. I am grateful to all producers who attended Cowboys at the Capitol.
The $52 billion budget sent to Governor Mike Kehoe included several provision we worked on and supported. I listed some of them out for you and I will highlight a couple of these in my next column once we know what is and what isn’t kept in the budget by the governor.
• $420,000 for large animal veterinary student loans
• $1,000,000 for competitive grants to established beef producers to increase production
• $1.66 million for black vulture mitigation
• $24,561,744 for the construction of a meat laboratory facility at the University of Missouri
• $42,407,877 for the construction and renovation of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory at the University of Missouri
We supported legislation (SB 105) requiring plant nurseries to comply with certain affidavit requirements relating to invasive plants. The nursery dealer cannot intentionally sell or distribute any viable plant portions or seeds of certain plants described in the act. This includes sericea lespedeza, and we amended the legislation to also include perilla mint.
Executive Vice President
A major win for us was SB 82. We worked with other agricultural organization to support proactive legislation pertaining to the export of water. While water wars are often seen as an issue out West, it is only a matter of time before out-of-state interests start eyeing the water rich state we call home. This legislation prohibits the export of water resources outside the state unless the person holds a water exportation permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. I have no doubt this legislation will prevent many problems down the road.
In my opinion, our biggest win this year was eliminating capital gains taxes. This tax significantly hinders aging farmers from transferring farms and ranches to the next generation. For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, HBs 594 and 508 authorize a tax deduction for 100% of all income reported as a capital gain for federal income tax purposes. This is a huge win for our members and another example why membership in MCA matters.
Despite the abrupt end, this was one of the better sessions we’ve seen in recent history. As you likely know, obstructionism defined the Senate the past three or so years. New leadership and membership ushered in a far more productive year. By adjournment, a total of 67 out of 2,676 bills filed were passed. Governor Kehoe’s team will spend the next several weeks reviewing passed bills. Appropriation decisions must be made by June 30 and policy decisions must be made by July 14. Bills signed by the governor will become law on August 28.
Observations from the Field
with Doug Mertens, Region Two Grazing Coordinator
Summer is a Good Time to Learn Something
Summer is here, and our schedules will be filling up with all kinds of events or even a vacation. One thing that may not be on your radar is to attend a grazing school this summer. While a grazing school may not sound as glamorous as a beach vacation, the long-term benefits to your operation may make it the most valuable thing you do this summer.
I had the opportunity to attend a grazing school last summer and even I, after being involved in animal agriculture my entire life, picked up a few things. The school covers a variety of topics both in the classroom and during farm tours. Farm tours provide the opportunity to see classroom learning put into practice on the farm.
There are so many topics covered in this school that it is hard to list them all, so I will try and give an overview of what you will learn. Grazing management is one of the key concepts covered. This is important because it sets the stage for all the other topics. Managing pastures to get the best quality of forage and the most tonnage should be the objective. Understanding soil fertility, plant growth and plant quality will help with pasture management and can maximize the utilization of the available forage. Many of Missouri’s pastures consist of fescue, fescue and clover mixes, or native forages; which is another topic covered and something to consider adding.
Economics and animal nutrition also get time on the agenda. While these topics may not seem all that exciting, I picked up a few things I have included in my presentations this winter. When looking at the amount of forage a cow consumes each day, one can begin to see size does matter. Looking at the grazing stick I received for attending, I learned that a lactating cow consumes about 3% of her body weight each day. Having this knowledge and knowing my cow weighs plus an estimate of my pounds of forage, allows me to allocate pasture for
the best utilization. It also can help to identify which cows in your herd are most profitable. Using an average of 3% of body weight of a cow, we can figure a 1,200-pound cow will consume 36 pounds of forage a day and a 1,500-pound cow would consume 45 pounds. Those extra nine pounds of forage a day add up to over 3,200 pounds of additional forage that the larger cow needs each year.
Going on field tours provides the opportunity to apply lessons learned in the classroom. Being from the ShowMe State, those farm visits are usually where I learn the most. Hearing from producers who focus on grazing management provides insight and management ideas that you could apply on your farm. We saw different watering systems, heard why they placed them, and where they did. They also discussed types of fencing materials they use and how splitting pastures with poly wire can take advantage of their forage. We also saw different forage mixes and learned how they managed those.
The USDA NRCS and Missouri SWCD share the programs available to producers through their agencies. The different discussions provided through grazing management schools may help you realize the need for additional resources to maximize your grazing potential. There are numerous programs available through both USDA, NRCS, and the Missouri SWCD. I would encourage you to go into your county offices to learn more or contact your Missouri Cattlemen’s Regional Grazing Coordinator. There is a requirement for the Missouri SWCD grazing programs to attend a grazing school first, yet another reason to attend.
To learn more or register for a grazing school this summer go to Missouri Forage and Grassland Council’s webpage at www.missourifgc.org
Have a great summer! Doug
For help with management of native grass, or for help identifying plants or weeds (feel free to text pictures) contact Missouri Cattleman’s Association Grazing Coordinators:
Region 2 • NE MO
Doug Mertens
Doug@mocattle.com
573-489-5261
Region 3 • SE MO
Kenneth Ball
Kenneth@mocattle.com
417-818-6400
Region 4 • SW MO
Sarah Kenyon, Ph.D.
Sarah@mocattle.com
417-300-2976
2025 Missouri Beef House County Volunteer (tentative) Work Schedule August 7-17
Your BEEF CHECKOFF NEWS
Beef in the Classroom Brings
Agriculture to Life for Missouri Students
The Missouri Beef Industry Council is making a lasting impact on education through its Beef in the Classroom program. Developed specifically for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers, this program is helping bring beef into high school classrooms while deepening students’ understanding of where their food comes from and how it fits into a healthy lifestyle.
At its core, Beef in the Classroom is an educational initiative that allows FACS educators to teach students about beef production using a well-rounded “pasture to plate” curriculum. This curriculum guides students through the entire beef lifecycle—from raising cattle on pasture to processing, preparation, and consumption. The experience not only reinforces key food and nutrition concepts but also brings important agricultural and economic context into the classroom.
The goal of the grant program is to connect students to the beef industry in a way that’s engaging, practical, and relevant. By giving teachers the tools and resources they need, we’re empowering them to offer a handson learning experience that many students wouldn’t otherwise receive.
To support this initiative, MBIC offers classroom reimbursements of up to $400 per educator, with a maximum of $2 allowed per student. These funds are used by teachers to purchase beef products for classroom demonstrations, cooking labs, and taste-testing activities, making the learning experience not just educational, but memorable.
So far, this fiscal year, the program has reached nearly 4,200 Missouri students across a wide range of communities. At an average reimbursement cost of just $1.17 per student, the program is not only impactful— it’s cost-effective. Students across Missouri are gaining valuable insight into nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and the role of beef in a balanced diet—all for just pennies on the dollar.
The Beef in the Classroom curriculum offers adaptable, ready-to-use resources that make it easy for teachers to incorporate beef education into a variety of lesson plans. Lessons often include topics like beef cuts and cooking methods, nutritional benefits of beef, sustainability practices in the beef industry, and budgeting for meals. Teachers are also encouraged to integrate career exploration opportunities within the beef and agriculture sectors, helping students understand the broader economic impact of the industry.
Feedback from educators has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers appreciate the funding support, but even more, they value the opportunity to provide a meaningful, real-world connection for their students. For many learners, preparing a beef-based recipe in class or discussing the journey of food from the farm to their plate is a brand-new experience that sparks curiosity and appreciation for the agricultural systems that feed the nation.
“I’m so grateful for the Beef in the Classroom program. It has truly raised awareness of the beef industry, both through the Pasture to Plate presentation and the valuable conversations we’ve had about beef cuts, nutrition, and more,” said Ashley Newberry, FACS teacher at Nixa High School. “I can already see a boost in my students’ confidence when it comes to cooking different cuts of beef now that they’ve had the chance to work with it firsthand.”
As MBIC looks ahead, it remains committed to supporting education and fostering consumer awareness through partnerships with schools and educators. With thousands of students reached each year, Beef in the Classroom is playing a vital role in building a more informed and appreciative generation—one that understands the value of Missouri’s beef industry from both a nutritional and economic perspective.
Missouri Proclaims May as Beef Month, Celebrating Producers and Industry Impact
Governor Mike Kehoe proclaimed May as Beef Month in Missouri, honoring the contributions of cattlemen and cattlewomen statewide. Kehoe, a first-generation beef producer, joined members of the Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC), Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA), and local producers for the ceremony at the Capitol.
“Beef production is vital to Missouri’s $93.7 billion agriculture industry,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. The state ranks third nationally in beef cow numbers, with nearly two million head, the industry supports over 40,000 jobs and generates nearly $2 billion in sales.
MBIC Chair Tracey Mershon emphasized producers’ commitment to quality, integrity, environmental stewardship, and excellence in every aspect of beef production. MCA President Jeff Reed thanked consumers for their continued trust and support of the beef industry.
Beef Month proudly celebrates the hardworking farm and ranch families behind Missouri’s thriving cattle industry and their essential role in feeding the world with high-quality, nutritious, and responsibly raised beef.
Senator Schmitt Introduces Bill to Allow Missouri Ranchers to Protect Livestock from Black Vultures
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) helped introduce The Black Vulture Relief Act, which would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow Missourians to take action against a black vulture when the bird is causing death, injury or destruction to livestock.
“Black vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450% since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across the Show Me State the ability to do what they do best— feed our nation and the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
“Predatory black vultures pose a serious threat to livestock in Missouri and across our nation. For too long, livestock producers have been burdened by red tape and bureaucracy when defending their farms. Missouri Farm Bureau is grateful to Senator Schmitt and his colleagues for leading the charge to give farmers the ability to protect their livestock when threatened. This is an important step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with our elected leaders to implement this commonsense reform to better serve farmers and ranchers,” said Garrett Hawkins, President of the Missouri Farm Bureau a farmer from St. Clair County.
“Missouri producers increasingly face the emotional and financial strain of cattle deaths due to the predatory black vultures. At a time when our state’s cattle numbers are at the lowest level since the 1950s, we cannot afford to have vultures killing newborn calves. Producers need to be able to protect their private property regardless of an international bird treaty signed 110 years ago. Thank God we have a U.S. Senator with commonsense who cares more about cattlemen than scavengers,” said Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President.
The Black Vulture Relief Act will:
• Amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow a covered person (producer or employee of a producer) to take (capture, kill or disperse and transport carcass) a black vulture when…
• The vulture is causing, or that the covered person has a reasonable belief will cause, death, injury, or destruction to livestock.
• Cause injury to the bird in the course of taking or attempting to take a black vulture.
• Require producers file an annual report with their local FWS office on yearly takings, if the producer takes a vulture in the year.
Red Meat Exports Trend Higher in March, Beef Export Value Highest in Nine Months
Source: USMEF
Exports of U.S. beef, pork and lamb trended higher year-over-year in March, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef export value was the highest since June, while Latin American markets again fueled pork export growth. March exports of lamb muscle cuts were the largest in more than five years.
Taiwan, Mexico, Central America fuel March beef export growth
March beef exports totaled 109,330 metric tons, up 1% from a year ago, while export value reached $922 million – up 4% and the highest since June. Export value per head of fed slaughter was the seventh highest on record at $466.77.
March export growth was led by strong performances in Taiwan, Mexico, Central America, Chile and Africa. Exports also increased slightly to China, though this momentum will be short-lived due to China’s retaliatory
tariffs and expired plant registrations. March exports were steady year-over-year to Japan and modestly lower to South Korea.
First-quarter beef exports were slightly below last year’s pace at 310,368 mt, but increased 2% in value to $2.53 billion.
“Despite a great deal of uncertainty, global demand for U.S. beef remains robust and resilient,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The March export results confirm this, with demand trending higher in Taiwan and Mexico, reaching record levels in Central America and holding up well in Japan and Korea. Although we anticipate China’s retaliatory tariffs and expired plant registrations will have a more drastic impact on April and May exports, the U.S. industry’s efforts to diversify markets and broaden U.S. beef’s global footprint are definitely paying dividends.”
March pork demand shines in Mexico and Central America, rebounds in Colombia
March pork exports increased 3% year-over-year to 269,344 mt, valued at $769.7 million, up 4%. Export value per head slaughtered was outstanding in March, reaching the second highest figure on record at $73.91.
March export growth was once again fueled by Mexico and Central America, while shipments to Colombia were the second largest on record. Exports to Korea, which had slowed significantly in recent months, were the largest in nearly a year, while shipments trended higher year-over-year to the Philippines and Cuba but slowed to Japan.
First-quarter pork exports were slightly above last year’s record value pace at $2.11 billion, but slightly lower in volume at 754,488 mt.
“March was another spectacular month for U.S. pork demand in Mexico and Central America, but exports also rebounded nicely to Colombia and Korea,” Halstrom said. “Duty-free access has helped fuel pork exports to these key markets, where we continue to see heightened competition.”
Plant eligibility for China is less of an issue for U.S.
pork than for U.S. beef, as China renewed most pork establishments in mid-March. But Halstrom cautioned both pork and beef exports to China have since hit a wall due to China’s prohibitive duties, which now total 172% for U.S. pork and 147% for U.S. beef.
“Shipments already in the pipeline can still clear without the extra 125% tariff, provided they shipped before April 10 and arrive in China by May 13,” Halstrom explained. “But new business has been effectively halted until there is a de-escalation of the U.S.-China trade impasse.”
March lamb exports largest since 2019
Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 278 mt in March, up 45% from a year ago and the largest since December 2019. Export value increased 18% to $1.5 million. Through the first quarter, exports increased 26% year-over-year to 747 mt, while value was up 10% to $4.1 million. Growth was driven primarily by Mexico and the Caribbean, with Trinidad and Tobago shining among Caribbean markets. Exports also trended higher to Central America.
A detailed summary of the January-March export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, including marketspecific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.
MCA Calendar 2025
Executive & Board of Directors Meeting Dates
February 15 – Executive Committee
March 29 – Board of Directors Meeting
June 21 – Executive Committee
July 12 – Board of Directors Meeting
October 4 – Executive Committee
November 15 – Board of Directors Meeting
January 2026 – Executive Committee
January 21-23, 2026 – Board of Directors Meeting & MCA Annual Convention
Special Events
March 29 – Board of Directors Meeting (MCA Headquarters)
May 9 – Profitability Challenge Open House (South Farm)
June 12-15 – Missouri Cattlemen’s Youth Expo (State Fairgrounds – Sedalia)
June 14 – Past Presidents Steak Fry & PAC Auction (Agriculture Building – Sedalia)
August 7-17 – Missouri State Fair (State Fairgrounds – Sedalia)
August 22-24 – MJCA Youth Industry Tour
September– Session 2 of MCLC (Agribusiness Tour)
September 11 – MCF Golf Tournament (Tanglewood Golf Course, Fulton)
September 18 – MCF Farm Safety College (University of Missouri – Columbia, MO)
September 19 – MSU Farm Safety College (Darr Ag Center, Springfield, MO)
January 21-23, 2026 – MC A Annual Convention
Tentative Events
Profitability Challenge Awards Ceremony (September or October)
COUNTY NEWS
See What’s Happening in Your County
Southwest Missouri Cattlemen
What does succession planning mean to you? For folks in the cattle industry, it usually means passing land and cattle ownership to the next generation to keep the family legacy alive. Many of us find this topic tough because we don’t know where to start. Or maybe because this business is a labor of love, but not as profitable as we’d want for our kids. Given these hurdles, we can educate ourselves about financial tools while also keeping an eye on the cattle market and doing our part to ensure a sustainable future for our ranches and families.
When I think of sustainable ranching what comes to mind is cattle prices sure are fair right now. Not good, not great, just fair. I get a burr in my saddle every time I hear someone in the business comment about how fortunate we are to sell at these prices and how they’ve surely peaked. They say we should enjoy it because they’ll just go down from here. I’m guilty of saying such things myself as I think back to selling weaned calves for breakeven prices. Cattle buyers want 45-60 day weaned calves with two rounds of vaccinations, BVD-PI tested free, verified high marbling pedigree, with just the right frame score and body condition, not to mention a calm disposition from a Beef Quality Assurance certified ranch. We work hard every day to meet the needs of the supply chain, but in return we can expect to be fairly compensated for our contribution.
Small to medium sized family-owned ranches are typically operated by folks with one or more family members working offsite to supplement the income just to stay in business. Yes, we love the business and often spend time and money implementing practices to care for the land and cattle because it’s the right thing to do. But as the average age of the rancher steadily increases and fewer young people are staying on, or returning to the family ranch, it’s clear we need to apply sustainability to more that just the land. It must be reflected in the bottom line.
How can we ensure prices continue to provide a fair return on investment? Supply and demand with legislative support. While the inclement weather across the nation took care of much of the oversupply of cattle, moving forward it might mean ranchers coming
together to withhold market supply, just as packers have shut down processing to decrease prices paid to producers. Demand for beef is strong. Whether you like it or not, each time you sell beef, you are assessed $1-per-head to support the demand through the Beef Checkoff program. This mandatory program is used to fund promotion, consumer education, producer communication, and various other activities. And lastly, by supporting and promoting legislation favorable to the industry. Since you’re reading this, you are likely a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Much of its focus is on governmental affairs and the protection of producers’ rights and businesses. MCA’s Mission is dedicated to advancing Missouri’s beef industry. As a fellow member, thank you for your membership and contribution to the industry. If you want to do more there are lots of opportunities to get involved. You can start with encouraging a friend to attend a meeting and join up!
One of the ways we can educate ourselves about financial tools is by inviting experts in the field to speak at our monthly meetings. We were fortunate to have Jamie Lankford, with GFI, to speak at our May meeting. Jamie attended Neosho High School and currently lives in Seneca, Missouri, so he’s from our community and understands rancher values. Jamie was our keynote speaker, along with Eric Carter, also with GFI, and Brent Jay, AFLAC Insurance. The topic was AG As Your Legacy: Inspiring Families to Dream Again.
One of the key takeaways was to start saving young! It’s not too late to get your financial ducks in a row, and it may be the perfect time to start talking to your kids or grandchildren about financial strategies and investments. You’ve taught them how to save a calf by providing the right care, now teach them how to handle the money they earn when their calf is sold.
May God Bless America, and the ranchers working to feed our nation the best tasting, most nutritious protein available: Beef.
Danise Cummings
Secretary – Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Co-Owner – Show-Me Prime Angus Ranch LLC
Lafayette County Cattlemen
At their annual meeting, Lafayette County Cattlemen presented an award of special recognition to long-time member, C. W. Hook of Higginsville, recognizing his commitment to Lafayette County agriculture.
C.W. joined the Navy in January 1946. After basic training in Tennessee he was stationed in Oklahoma to be trained as an airplane mechanic and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, for gunner training.
After the War, C.W. purchased the family farm from his parents. He and his wife, Deloras, lived at the home place. They milked a few cows, raised sheep and sold eggs to Colonial hatchery in Pleasant Hill and row cropped. He purchased a rail car of ewes that were unloaded in Odessa. A brother in law helped him walk the sheep the 12 miles from Odessa to the family farm, stopping over for the night at another brother in laws outside Odessa.
With a new conservation agent in town, C.W. got started in the Lafayette County Sportsman club. In 1965, C.W. was recognized for his love and passion of wildlife and received the Farmer sportsman of the year award by the Conservation Department.
C.W. and Deloras were active in the University Extension Service, were also very active in the Salem United Church of Christ, Missouri Holstein Association, and the Missouri Conservation Federation. C.W. also served on the Higginsville School Board.
Their children started in 4-H in 1959. C.W. was the project leader for many projects, including dairy, horsemanship, sheep and gardening. He and Delores continued after their kids were grown and out of 4-H.
In the mid 70’s C.W. took on a position as substitute rural mail carrier. In 1982, they sold the milking cow part of the dairy and C.W. and Deloras continued to raise and sell registered Holstein heifers for a few years. They then began raising purebred Hereford cattle. After a few years, they switched to Angus cattle, which continues today. In 2017, they received recognition as a Missouri Century Farm.
At the March 25 educational meeting, members received training from the Lafayette County Health department to receive their Food Service certification in preparation for upcoming grilling events.
C.W. Hook’s family joined him at the dinner and meeting.
LCCA wrapped up the educational series with Food Service certification.
Southeast Missouri Cattlemen
Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association has had a busy spring. On February 13, 2025, the Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association held its Annual Banquet and Auction at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson. There was a good turnout of attendees as well as sponsors. The Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association greatly appreciated all the support given to make theAevent a success.
After the banquet, Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association hosted an educational presentation about Mental Health Awareness. This event was on March 6 at the University of Missouri Extension office in Jackson. Jason Klaus, the Perry County Sheriff Department and the SEMO Crisis Intervention Team graciously shared his expertise with a group of about 25 attendees. Thank you to everyone who turned out to hear about such an important topic.
The next event the Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association hosted included discussion on pasture weed and brush control. This was hosted at the Patton Saddle Club in Patton on March 27. Brant Mettler with Corteva Range and Pasture Specialist was the speaker for the evening. Several members who attended shared they really enjoyed the presentation and there was some good information shared.
On April 1, 2025, the Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association hosted a BQA training. The training was facilitated for free by Samantha Siemers and Alexis Stumpe at the University of Missouri Extension Office in Jackson, MO. The presentation included details of BQA and covering the material needed to become BQA certified. Attendees were certified and left with their certificate.
After the BQA training, the Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association hosted it’s Annual Farm Day at Flickerwood Arena in Jackson. Farm Day is where third graders from area schools come and spend a few hours learning about 10 different areas of agriculture. Some of the topics included cattle, bees, crops, farm equipment and food production. This event was a huge success because of the coordinators, volunteers and school, which we are thankful too.
As we wrapped up April, the Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, is working on promoting beef throughout May. One of the beef promotion events was providing 100% beef hamburgers and hot dogs at Leopold School Play Day. There is also beef promotions happening every Saturday at Ken’s Ace Hardware in Jackson. The Southeast Missouri Cattlemen’s Association have a booth with information as well as provides the beef for the employee at Ken’s Ace Hardware to cook a different beef item each Saturday during May. Feel free to stop by and try a beef item as well as getting some beef information.
Missouri Angus Breeders
meadangus@yahoo.com
www.meadfarms.com
Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen
The Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen’s Association is alive and well, as it continues to make a difference with beef advocacy and support. The chapter’s most prestigious date on the calendar every year is the annual scholarship banquet and auction.
With a beautiful day in Millwood, Missouri, the Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen’s Association held its event at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Saturday March 22, 2025. Tickets for this event continue to sell out each year within a matter of days, with over 300 members and guests in attendance. Several cattlemen members donated their time earlier in the day preparing the ribeyes and baked potatoes for the evening’s selfprepared dinner. Many members and their spouses contributed delicious pies and cakes for dessert.
Doors opened at 5 p.m., where patrons filled the hall quickly and browsed through various silent auction items while enjoying a nice social hour. Decks of cards were sold for two different gun raffles. Guns traditionally are a well-received fundraiser item for businesses and patrons. After President Joel Conderman’s introduction and invocation by cattlemen member Howard Schieffer, dinner was served at 6 p.m., a delicious ribeye steak dinner with dessert. Scholarship recipients were on hand to help serve the meal and interact with the public while wearing traditional red cattlemen’s aprons.
This year, the chapter was proud to present a donation to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Troy as it undergoes an extensive new construction project on its livestock show arena. (Pictured right) Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen’s Secretary Michael Mudd and Vice President Chuck Lavy presenting the check for $20,000 to Tim Schroer-Lincoln County Fair Chairman, Dalton Gilbert-Treasurer, Kyle Allen- Lead Fundraising Coordinator, and Matt Eggering-Chairman Elect. It is the chapter’s intent to donate the same amount to the Pike County Fairgrounds in Bowling Green once new building plans are finalized and construction begins.
Each year, local high school seniors and college undergraduates are awarded scholarships in front of a full house. This is the crown jewel of the LincolnPike County Cattlemen’s efforts, with this year’s scholarships totaling $24,500 amongst 22 students! The chapter officers announced since the first banquet in 2013, over $300,000 has been awarded in scholarships supporting local students and their education. This includes the pandemic of 2020, where the annual banquet was cancelled but the chapter was fortunate enough to award scholarships that year, another amazing accomplishment. This year’s recipients were
Lead Fundraising Coordinator, and Matt Eggering-Chairman Elect
Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen’s 2025 Scholarship Recipients. included: Collin Heitman, Bailey Shields, Gavin Reller, Lilley Heitman, Ava Kemper, Addison Kemper, Catie Henke, Jordan Shields, Abby Shaffer, Nina Momphard, Jacob Heitman, Madelyn Brune, Abigail Agers, Dillon Heitman, Allison Schneider, William Cole Hunter, Karson Calvin, McKenna Claborn, Karlie Ellis, Hannah Post, Deacon Mitchell, and Chase Hall.
The live auction followed, with stellar items and extreme generosity from cattlemen’s supporters! Big-ticket items were sold this year, including seed beans and seed corn, beef processing, concert tickets, a mineral feeder, St. Louis Cardinals tickets, and a reserved table at next year’s banquet. The reserved table for the 2026 banquet was the top selling item to for $4,500 and purchased by Whalen Farms Hay and Cattle Company. Once concluded, the dance floor opened, and good times were enjoyed by all. The Root Dig’n Nation band kept everyone entertained into the late hours of the night and completed another successful fundraiser for the LincolnPike County Cattlemen’s Association chapter.
Lincoln-Pike County Cattlemen’s Secretary Michael Mudd and Vice President Chuck Lavy presenting the check for $20,000 to Tim Schroer-Lincoln County Fair Chairman, Dalton Gilbert-Treasurer, Kyle Allen-
St. Clair County Cattlemen
For the St. Clair County Cattlemen, May was an exciting month because it was May is Beef Month. The members of the St. Clair County Cattlemen look forward to May, and our May is Beef Month event. For our May is Beef Month event, the St. Clair County Cattlemen had a booth at each of the grocery stores in our county. At the event, they spread the word about the beef industry and handed out several great prizes. This year, the prizes included two $125 beef bundles, a beef logo picnic blanket, a beef logo apron, and a grill set at each store.
On May 3, 2025, the St. Clair County Cattlemen set up booths at Buzz’s Market, Carney’s Five Star Supermarket, and Food Fair of Appleton City. The members had their booths at the stores from 9 a.m. to noon. They shared the news of the beef industry with fellow members and community members. The St. Clair County Cattlemen would like to thank each member who took time out of their day to help with a booth. They would also like to thank Buzz’s Market, Carney’s Five Star Supermarket, and Food Fair of Appleton City for their continued support of the May is Beef Month Event. The St. Clair County Cattlemen would also like to congratulate each of the winners of the wonderful prizes.
The St. Clair County Cattlemen will hold their next monthly meeting on July 8, 2025. We hope to see you there!
Dallas County Cattlemen
Members of the Dallas County Cattlemen’s Association gathered at Prairie Grove School for the group’s May 13 meeting with 70 people in attendance. Members were treated to a delicious roast beef dinner sponsored by Springfield Livestock Marketing Center and were entertained by an award winning cowboy poet.
Logan Burks, owner of Springfield Livestock Marketing, told attendees about new things going on at his facility. He and his staff are excited for the opportunity to work with cattlemen to bring cattle producers and cattle buyers together under one roof. He introduced owners Jake Ford and Josh Ford as well as new field representatives. All sales are streamed on DVD. In addition, the Livestock Center offers a silver and gold wean vac program in cooperation with Mac’s Vet Supply. We certainly thank Logan and everyone from Springfield Livestock for sponsoring our meeting and taking their time to visit with us.
What a treat it was for members to hear Danny McCurry. Danny is from Bois D’Arc and has won many awards for his poems honoring the working cowboys-too numerous to mention. We not only enjoyed his poetry but were also treated to a couple songs. We certainly thank him for sharing his talent with us.
We also want to thank Kyra Ford for catering the delicious dinner. If you have ever eaten at the restaurant at Springfield Livestock you know what a great cook she is.
DCCA recently awarded three $1000 scholarships to outstanding students to help them in their pursuit of a higher education. Huge congratulations to Paige Henderson, Zachary Laney, and Mary Grace Warden. We are very proud of all of you!
DCCA has been busy promoting beef during the month of May. On May 1 members Lynette Miller, Pam Naylor, and Greg Wommack spent the day helping Buffalo FFA with their annual petting zoo and field day. We talked to hundreds of students ages pre-K through fourth grade about taking good care of our beef animals, nutrition, and by-products and various other topics. Special thanks to Greg’s grand daughter Bella for doing a great job helping out.
On May 3, Aaron Miller and his crew fired up our grill and gave away various samples of beef at Cash Saver Grocery in Buffalo. In addition, Lynette Miller, Pam Naylor, and Judy Locke manned a booth with recipes, beef information, color books for kids, etc. and had customers of the store sign up for $20 gift cards to buy
beef. We thank the Missouri Beef Industry Council for the $500 grant making all this possible.
The Buffalo Reflex newspaper is featuring a favorite beef recipe submitted by DCCA members throughout the month of May. Also, a weekly feature story about beef appears each week. Topics include: Understanding the USDA Grades of Beef; The Beef Checkoff Program; MO Beef Kids; Beef Trivia; and May is Beef Month.
Our next meeting will not be held until September. We look forward to Joplin Regional Stockyards being our sponsor. We will fire up our grill for three days the end of June during the Dallas County Fair and look forward to working in the Beef House at the State Fair.
Logan Burks, Josh Ford, and Jake Ford at DCCA meeting
Cowboy poet Danny McCurry at DCCA meeting.
Polk County Cattlemen
Due to a small hiccup—the email address was accidentally input incorrectly and we missed the chance to submit our April article for the May issue of the Missouri Beef Cattleman. But no worries, we’re excited to bring you all the highlights of our April meeting in this June issue. We appreciate your understanding and are happy to share these updates with you now!
On April 8, the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association held its monthly meeting at the CMH Community Rooms at Lime Bank. The evening brought together local producers, industry professionals, and community members for an informative and engaging event focused on beef cattle production and the future of agriculture.
Proudly sponsored by Preferred Livestock Products, the event showcased the importance of continued education and industry collaboration. Their support plays a vital role in ensuring local cattlemen have access to the latest products and information to support herd health and profitability.
A standout moment of the evening came from Shelby Skinner, who delivered an insightful presentation on the benefits of mineral tubs and the importance of year-round beef cattle nutrition. She emphasized how proper supplementation supports herd health, enhances productivity, and contributes to long-term sustainability. Skinner was joined by Adam Warren of Zinpro, who expanded on the topic with a discussion about trace mineral nutrition. Warren underscored how even small improvements in mineral intake can yield significant gains in cattle performance, immune function, and overall well-being.
Another key presentation was delivered by Gavin Hutchison, who offered valuable insight into Livestock Risk Protection insurance. His session highlighted essential tools available to producers for managing financial risk in today’s unpredictable market which is
an increasingly important aspect of sustainable ranch management.
The evening also served as a celebration of youth in agriculture, as the association awarded scholarships to six outstanding students. This year’s Polk County Cattlemen’s Scholarship recipients are Ben Hines, Colin McIntyre, Josie Toombs, Katie Howard, Noah Groose, and Anna Seiner. These scholarships reflect the association’s enduring commitment to investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders and ensuring the strength of the industry for years to come.
As we continue to be involved in Missouri Beef Days, we look forward to sharing more of those details in the July issue.
The Power of Using Registered Red Angus Bulls
Source: Tom Brink, RAAA CEO
Even in a high calf market, just getting your heifers and cows pregnant is not enough. The marketplace has become increasingly discriminating about what it wants. Buyers understand that calf crops are not created equal. Some are better than others. There is huge variation from best to worst.
For profit-minded ranchers, not just any calf will do. The goal should be to create valuable pregnancies that yield high-end replacement females and marketable feeder steers. Using a registered Red Angus bull, whether through artificial insemination or natural service, meets those objectives. Registered Red Angus bulls can do both. Here’s how:
First, by using a registered Red Angus bull, you know what you’re getting. We can all agree that fewer surprises are almost always a good thing. Registration papers provide added documentation about pedigrees and a long list of important performance traits.
Need to be confident you will get the level of calving ease and growth you are seeking? A registered Red Angus bull, especially if he has genomically enhanced EPDs, can do that. Hoping to produce heifer calves that accel in maternal traits, like Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability? The right registered Red Angus bull can make it happen.
More often than not, non-registered bulls pose an unpredictable risk. You can’t be sure of the traits they will introduce into your operation or if they will add or subtract value to the genetics in your herd. They may require fewer dollars to purchase, but without knowing how their calves will perform, the cost of owning them while they sire a few low-value calf crops could be staggering. The oft-quoted adage, “You get what you pay for,” certainly applies to beef breeding stock. A big part of what is paid for in the purchase of a registered Red Angus bull is greater knowledge of what that animal will be like as a breeding input.
If Knowledge is Power, then a Lack of Knowledge is Weakness
Higher levels of knowledge lead to better decision making and over time, better results. Low levels of knowledge create a cycle of poor decisions, weaker results, less revenue and potentially an operational hole
that is hard to dig out of. Using registered bulls provides more genetic knowns and puts cow-calf producers on a path toward greater progress and fewer missteps.
Second, by using a registered Red Angus bull(s) that has been transferred into the name of your farm or ranch, additional marketing opportunities become available. The Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program is well known in the beef industry and puts a favorable identity on groups of enrolled feeder calves that feedlot buyers and packers appreciate. FCCP-tagged calves are verified to be at least 50% Red Angus (genetically Angus) and we all know consumers love Angus beef.
In a 2022 study conducted by Midan Marketing, 30% of beef consumers recognized the ‘Angus’ name, and said they tend to associate it with high-quality beef. When commercial producers enroll their Red Angussired feeder calves in FCCP, they verify breed content and inform the cattle-buying public that their calves are genetically Angus. Guesswork is removed for potential buyers because the calves now carry a label that more accurately describes their genetic makeup.
On the female side, FCCP-tagged heifers guarantee buyers are getting the industry’s most favored female. Appearance provides some information, but verified programs like FCCP go beyond superficial traits and registered Red Angus sires are a requisite for enrollment.
Tom Brink
Red Angus Heifers Support Improved Beef Industry Sustainability
Source: Tom Brink, RAAA
Getting first-exposure heifers to breed and calve at two years of age could be called the foundation of beef industry sustainability. Reproduction is where the beef life cycle begins. The producer who falls short at getting enough heifers bred to calve early in the calving season is immediately at a disadvantage that will last the lifetime of those females. There is no efficient or inexpensive way to catch up. Late-calving heifers become late-calving cows, which cost the same to maintain but wean lighter calves and generate less income.
When not enough heifers breed on time, ranchers eventually compensate by exposing more heifers than would otherwise be needed to maintain the cowherd. This too becomes a source of inefficiency, because additional heifers must be held as replacements, decreasing the number of heifers that can create immediate cash flow by entering the beef stream.
Heifer development itself is a balancing act. From the time a set of replacement candidates are weaned until their first exposure, they must remain healthy and be grown out appropriately, such that a high percentage are cycling and ready to breed at 14-15 months of age. At the same time, no producer wants to waste feed. There is a point at which a high gain rate becomes expensive and potentially detrimental to fertility and longevity. Weaning-to-yearling growth rates near 1.5 lbs. per day are often considered adequate. However, no specific rate of gain is right for every group of heifers.
Because of their ability to breed and calve at two years of age without requiring extra feed, the Red Angus breed supports beef industry sustainability at its most basic level. Cow-calf producers from coast to coast and north to south understand the importance of reproduction, which is a key reason Red Angus market
share in commercial cowherds grew from 15% in 2019 to 20% in 2024, according to a BEEF Magazine survey.
The RAAA database offers interesting insight into this subject. One readily observable theme is that Red Angus heifers are champions when tasked with getting bred in time to calve at two years of age. And, importantly, that statement holds true across a wide range of postweaning gain rates.
As shown in the table below, registered Red Angus females were split into quartiles from lowest to highest phenotypic gain between weaning to yearling. There is a sizable spread in gain rates from the lowest quartile (0.88 lbs. per day) to the highest quartile (2.27 lbs.), and the resulting difference in yearling weights is large at 215 lbs. (730 versus 945 lbs.). Also noteworthy is that approximately 98% of these gain differences are non-genetic. When sorted and grouped in this manner, differences in nutrition and management explain why the respective groups gained at different rates.
Following these heifer groups through parity reveals no material difference in average age at first calving. All four groups calved at slightly over two years of age, which is right on schedule. Many replacement heifers are selected, in part, because they are born early in the calving season. Short gestation lengths are also a factor in early born heifers. Thus, their calving at slightly over two years of age, on average, is by design.
The lowest gaining group showed no real disadvantage, despite significantly lighter yearling weights. Nor did the fastest gaining quartile exhibit any advantage in age when calved for the first time. Data is unavailable as to how these heifers were managed from yearling to breeding. It is possible that heifers gaining less from weaning to yearling were placed on a higher nutritional plane to “catch up” from 12 months of age to the time of their first exposure.
Nonetheless, we can still conclude that heifers gaining toward the upper end of range probably did not need to be fed to gain as much as they did. Built-in Red Angus fertility is doing its job well, even with gain rates below 1.75 lbs. per day. Note that average weaning weights for all four groups range from 573 lbs. to 588 lbs., which is adequately heavy and something of an enabling factor, allowing slower gains from weaning to yearling, while still achieving desirable yearling and breeding weights.
The question might be asked as to whether the percentage of heifers calving was the same for all four groups. We know their average age at first calving was nearly the same, but did a smaller percentage in the lowgaining group get bred and calve?
The lowest ADG group did experience a moderate, 3 to 4-percent-point calving rate reduction compared to the other three groups. This may suggest that the lowest ADG quartile heifers were being challenged to breed in a lower-input environment, and were, therefore, tested with the intention of weeding out any heifers unable to conceive without additional feed. Again, the difference in calving rates is only modestly lower for the bottom gaining group, and for the other three quartiles, calving rates were essentially the same.
In addition to this data-backed proof, showcasing early fertility in Red Angus females, RAAA also offers a Heifer Pregnancy EPD to aid the genetic selection for heifer fertility. Sires with higher Heifer Pregnancy EPDs, on average, produce daughters that breed up at a higher rate compared to daughters of sires with low Heifer Pregnancy EPDs. For more information follow this link: https: https://redangus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ RAAA_Guide-to-EPDs_1-2021.pdf
Buffalo Livestock Market
1 mile west on Hwy 32 • Buffalo, MO 65622 Barn: 417-345-8122
Sale Every Saturday 12:00 Noon
• Selling 1200 to 1700 head Farm Fresh Cattle weekly
• Special Stock Cow and Bull Sale 3rd Tuesday night of each month at 6:30 p.m.
• Pre-Vac Feeder Calf Sales 2nd Saturday of every month in conjunction with Regular Sale (Pfizer Pre-Vac, BLM BPre-Vac, Bayer Program, Mo Quality Assurance. LMA-Vac and MFA Health Track)
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Owners… Lyle Caselman Leon Caselman 417-345-7876 H 417-345-4514 H 417-533-2944 cell 417-588-6185 cell
Harnessing AI for Higher Accuracy and Profits
Source: By Melissa Hart for the Red Angus Genetic Advancement Edition
Is careful planning the main obstacle to using artificial insemination in cow herds? Is it the lack of farm labor or did producers abandon the technology because it didn’t work well enough 40 years ago?
Whatever the reason, producers may be missing out on a profitable practice that could change their breeding philosophy and speed up their genetic progress. Having optimum genetics is increasingly important to meeting industry demands and is crucial to achieving premium dollars and enhancing returns on investment.
Sandy Johnson, Ph.D., professor and Extension specialist with Kansas State University, aims to promote wider adoption of reproductive technologies among cow-calf producers and educate them on management considerations that increase the likelihood of successful AI breeding.
The Economic Benefits
Those producing bulls or seedstock for sale or marketing into premium quality beef grids can leverage opportunities available through AI.
“The ability to use high-accuracy sires improves our knowledge of their true genetic value so the EPDs we have are better predictors of future offspring,” Johnson said.
Another benefit producers cite is the value of replacements. “I interpret this to mean the replacement females they create with AI get them closer to their genetic and marketing goals than the natural-service sires they can buy.”
There is often a reduction in calving difficulty from high-accuracy, calving-ease AI sires as well. This also means cows cycle sooner after calving and are more likely to conceive early in the breeding season and wean an older, heavier calf.
Johnson explained, “[With AI] fewer calves are lost during calving for several potential reasons. First, observers are paying better attention due to the time and labor it takes to AI and they want to see the fruits of their labor. If they used synchronization with their AI, they know they’ll be producing lots of calves and are better prepared for calving. In addition, being able to use calving-ease bulls reduces the risk of cow and calf loss.”
She added, “If we look at AI with estrus synchronization, then the age advantage might be considered. They are 21 days older (born one cycle sooner) and if calves gains 2 lbs. per day, that’s an additional 40 lbs. at weaning.”
Using AI sires can also reduce the need for naturalservice sires, providing additional economic benefits.
Advantages with Accuracy
Accuracy offers many advantages when comparing calves out of AI sires with those from natural-service sires. AI sires with extensive offspring records typically offer greater accuracy and thus lower risk than naturalservice sires. According to Johnson, even if both sires have the same EPD value, there is less risk with the high-accuracy AI sire. In addition, AI-bred replacement heifers typically command a premium at auction.
Those who have successfully adopted AI include many seedstock producers, as well as commercial operations that use it in replacement heifers to reduce calving difficulty while still meeting performance goals. These commercial producers also benefit from improving the genetic merit of their replacements.
Johnson indicated that commercial producers interested in marketing high-quality beef on a quality grid are switching to AI for greater carcass accuracy.
Carcass data collection takes time when using naturalservice sires. “It’s a longer climb in progress when you use your own bulls, so why not use bulls that we have more information on?” Johnson said. “There is more predictability about what the offspring will do in terms of carcass merit and the risk of producing outliers is reduced. With high accuracy sires, producers are more likely to hit their marketing target.”
The Planning Piece
When it comes to using AI technology, having a plan in place is crucial. Before switching to an AI program, a K-State Research and Extension guide publication suggests scrutinizing pregnancy rates.
After a 60-day breeding season, pregnancy rates (number pregnant divided by number exposed) should be 85% to 90% plus, before starting a synchronization and AI program. Lower fertility may indicate suboptimal health, nutrition or other management issues that can compromise AI success. A widely accepted recommendation is a Body Condition Score of 5 to 6 to ensure females are cycling properly.
Planning for adequate farm labor is another limiting factor. Producers often focus on feeding routines, cattle roundup, chute work and veterinary tasks but may not schedule labor for key times in heat detection, estrus synchronization and insemination. The solution is to think carefully about where the labor supply will come from and whether it will be available at peak times.
Adequate handling facilities are also a necessity.
Cattle flow and efficiency are key. Johnson noted that inseminators who AI a lot of cows are, “fast but they also get cows pregnant.”
Weather can also pose challenges when large numbers of calves arrive in a short period under poor conditions, so producers should ensure they have the resources to manage such circumstances.
Synchronization
Estrus synchronization can help increase the number of successfully bred females earlier in the season and tighten calving windows. According to Johnson, older calves will wean heavier and carry that advantage forward, either as replacement females or market cattle.
“Synchronizing cows for use with natural service is often a good first step for producers thinking about AI for the first time,” she explained. “There are typically fewer steps and it can still increase the number of cows calving
early, which benefits them the following year. Some producers may choose synchronization with natural service during a year when they can’t manage their usual AI program but still want more cows bred early.”
“Many producers have learned the value of using synchronization with AI. Depending on current management, producers who used AI over time continue to reap the benefits of a front-loaded calving season, shorter calving window and less need for calving assistance because of high-accuracy sires that reduce calving difficulty. Producers who want to build on AI genetics, keep AI-sired replacement females and breed them to another AI sire and begin adding multiple generations.”
She added that AI-sired heifers will likely calve early in their breeding season and stay in the herd longer due to their age advantage.
Synchronization systems vary and each has a unique twist. Not all systems fit every operation and costbenefit analyses are necessary. Johnson said optimal reproductive performance relies on solid year-round management but even well-managed cows will not respond if protocol errors occur. Poor results often stem from mistakes in treatment protocols and unrealistic expectations.
Continued on page 48
Ken & Brenda Keesaman
816-675-2503 • C: 816-390-4988
Kody Keesaman 816-724-1432
Kolten Keesaman 816-808-2846
3803 SW Rogers Rd. • Osborn, MO 64474
Ken@kkfarmsredangus.com www.kkfarmsredangus.com
Missouri Red Angus Association Board of Directors: Genetics Built for Your Success
Source: Missouri Red Angus Association
Choosing the right breed is more than a decision, it’s an investment in the future of your operation. The Missouri Red Angus Association offers producers a proven package of benefits, from calm dispositions to marketready carcasses, all backed by cutting-edge research and dedicated member support.
Why Missouri Red Angus?
• Docility: Red Angus cattle are famous for their gentle, predictable temperaments. Easier handling means less stress, for you and your herd, resulting in safer work environments, healthier cattle and smoother routines.
• Environmental Resilience: Whether you’re battling summer heat in the Bootheel or fescue challenges across the Ozarks, Red Angus thrive. Their sleek red coat and hardy genetics deliver dependable performance in hot, humid pastures and through our cold winters alike.
• Carcass Quality: Today’s consumers expect tender, flavorful beef. Red Angus consistently earn high Choice and Prime grades, giving you a competitive edge in branded programs or direct-to-consumer sales.
• Maternal Strength: Strong herds start with productive females. Red Angus cows are celebrated for fertility, longevity and calving ease, foundation traits that drive steady calf crops and long-term profitability.
With our commitment to objective selection, marketing support and member-driven leadership, MORAA stands ready to help you succeed.
Ready to Elevate Your Herd?
Discover how MORAA and our Red Angus genetics can serve your production system. Reach out to your local board member or visit our online registry to learn how to get involved and start building a more profitable, resilient herd today: MissouriRedAngus.com
Continued from page 46
Sexed Semen
“For producers with strong marketing plans and AI skills, sexed semen provides an opportunity to improve their bottom line, assuming they have a solid plan for both male and female calves,” Johnson said. “Sexed semen may help generate replacement females (especially F1 females) in a more manageable way. Producers should still plan for reduced pregnancy rates with sexed semen and be pleased if they match those from conventional semen.”
The Breed Advantage
For the Red Angus breed specifically, Johnson noted, “The more producers use high-accuracy sires, the quicker they can reach their genetic goals. If more heifers were bred using AI and accurate AI pregnancy data went into the database, the breed could learn more about heifer’s ability to conceive early and more about the sire fertility.”
“If a producer has access to a market that pays a premium for genetic traits, AI offers more genetic options and higher accuracy sires to achieve that premium sooner,” she concluded.
MORAA Junior Association Update
Join the Missouri Junior Red Angus Association!
Our association gives juniors the opportunity to better themselves through networking and clinics. Throughout the year, members compete at shows from the county level to the national level. Our members enjoy competing against each other, but it pushes each member to better themselves year by year. The improvement of cattle amongst members is due to this tight-knit, competitive group, and it’s exciting to watch the continued progress of our juniors.
Junior members are able to attend clinics throughout the year, ranging from industry knowledge to livestock show skills. Members recently got to participate in a fitting and showmanship clinic where they learned some tips and tricks for the upcoming Red Angus Youth Expo. Clinicians Kip Wallace, Hayley Miller, and Tori Miller gave each member some individual attention to learn what they needed, and it’ll be exciting to watch these juniors in action this summer.
Through our affiliation with the National Junior Red Angus Association, we are able to support juniors in their endeavors to go as far as they can. We have grants and scholarships available to send members to national workshops such as the new SPARK, JRA Red Roundup, and the Young Stockman’s Program. All three of these programs work to prepare juniors for life in the industry, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to send juniors to these events.
If you have any questions, want more information, or want to join, reach out to Shannon Lanier at srccredangus@gmail.com.
David W. Fountain
David Fountain passed peacefully from this earth on May 10, 2025, at his home in Thompson, Missouri, where he lived his entire life. He was born January 20, 1959, to Wayne and Dorothy (Werenke) Fountain in Mexico, Missouri. He graduated from Centralia High School, where he participated in FFA and crosscountry track, qualifying for state as a freshman. He started working for a local farmer to fund his love for fast cars while in high school bringing his running career to a halt. He was passionate about cattle from a young child, he would often ride his bike to attend the livestock auction in Mexico. This was a 10-mile ride on Hwy FF, not the easiest or safest road to bike. He and his father purchased their first Charolais bull in 1964 started Fountain Charolais. His passion for cattle and the Charolais breed was intense, a love he passed on to his daughter Tara. His memory of the genetics was remarkable, he would know sires and their pedigree just by seeing a picture. He began his show career when asked by Carl Ahrens to help with the show string at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colorado, when he was around sixteen years old.
He was an honest, hardworking, tough individual who battled health conditions most of his adult life, but never allowed the adversity to control his life or use it for an excuse. It wasn’t until the last few years and especially the past months he began to lose the battle. He was a practical joker and always enjoyed making people laugh. He had a vivid imagination which enabled him to tell elaborate stories, especially to his children when they were young. He was a man of few words, never boastful, but would give his opinion when asked. He loved helping young cattle producers get started in the business, giving them advice when asked and making cattle available to them at an affordable price. He would also offer to take them along with him to shows, as folks had done for him at a young age. David worked at Chance Manufacturing, always working the overnight shift to ensure he could take care of his cattle in the daytime. He was known for operating on a few hours of sleep, catching naps when he could, which maybe on a show box or during a wrestle mania. He was a member of the American-International Charolais Association and Missouri Charolais Association throughout his adult life and the American-International Junior Charolais Association as a youth. He served on the board of the Missouri Charolais Association for several years and was inducted into the Missouri Charolais Association Hall of Fame in 2022. He enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with fellow Charolais producers at various events throughout the years.
His love for his children and grandchildren was intense, his only wish was for them to find happiness in life. He would take his two oldest children, Doug and Kelli, to cattle sales and shows when they were young, but their passion would lead them down a different path. Doug loved tractor pulls, so they would spend their summers attending tractor pulls in the area and a few wrestling events. His youngest daughter, Tara, loved cattle, which led to several trips to sales and shows. They would take off every summer before school started and visit herds throughout the Midwest and northern plains. Tara would map out the trip, make the calls and David would chauffer, we would all love to know the discussions that took place in the cab of the truck. He was extremely proud of his children. On September 21, 1990, he was united in marriage to his soulmate Linda Hickam, they had one daughter, Tara. They were both passionate about cattle and spent the next 35 years doing some activity involving cattle. They would be feeding, analyzing, attending sales or taking Tara to shows throughout the United States. They joked about needing a hobby, which David proclaimed that his was fishing. They thoroughly enjoyed doing life together and couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else, although often discussed their vast different approach to almost anything.
David was a man of strong faith, and it brings us comfort to know he is now taking care of the lord’s herd with Tripp, his special cattle dog, and reminiscing with several cattleman taken before him. He will be missed by his wife, son Doug Fountain (Sarah), Albany, MO, daughters Kelli Fountain, Centralia, MO and Tara Fountain (Nick Hargrave), Randolph, KS. Grandchildren, Rett and Charlie Fountain, Albany, MO, Donevin Leonard, San Diego, CA, Brittani Leonard, Columbia, MO and Raya Hargrave, Randolph, KS. Sister Julia (Steve Berck), Uncasville, CT and Sabra (Denver) Wilson, Thompson, MO. Sister-inlaw Mary (Bryan) Snyder, Columbia, MO and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Jan Fountain, Sister and brother-inlaw Flo (Terry) Williams and niece Danielle Williams.
A celebration of life was held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. Interment in the Centralia City Cemetery. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made to the American-International Charolais Foundation in support of a scholarship for students enrolled in graduate school in Animal Science in memory of David or to an organization on your choice that supports youth in cattle production. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net
Christopher S. “Kit” Bond
Former U.S. Senator and Governor, Christopher S. “Kit” Bond, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose life’s work and love was serving Missouri, died May 13, 2025, in St. Louis. He was 86 years old.
Whenever Missourians thanked Kit for his service, that Kit Bond smile would cross his face and he’d say: “Serving the people of Missouri was the honor of my life.”
A sixth generation Missourian, Bond was born in St. Louis on March 6, 1939. He grew up in Mexico, Missouri, to parents Elizabeth and Arthur Bond.
Bond graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University in 1960 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1963, graduating at the top of his class.
Following law school, Bond clerked for Chief Judge Elbert Tuttle of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta working on the enforcement of groundbreaking desegregation cases. Though this work was not advertised or well known, it impacted Bond and his future actions in elected office.
Guided by his love for his home state, his country and his quiet faith as a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, Kit began his 40 years of public service to Missouri. In 1969, he began as an Assistant Attorney General under former Senator John Danforth. Kit won his first statewide election in 1970 as State Auditor. At age 33, Kit Bond became the 47th Governor of Missouri in 1973, the youngest Governor in the state’s history and the first Republican to occupy the Governor’s mansion since 1945.
After losing reelection in 1976 Bond joked, “experience is what you get when you expect to get something else.” Bond redoubled his efforts and came back to earn reelection to a second term as Governor in 1980.
While Governor, Bond became a father and was known for quipping that, when he left the hospital with his son, Sam, all they got was a box of diapers and instructions to use a car seat, when what he really needed was a training manual for babies. Fortunately, Bond discovered Parents as Teachers resources and from that point on, he wanted all Missouri families to have the same help navigating sleepless nights, milestones, and the ABC’s. Bond took the program statewide as Governor in 1984. Later in the Senate, he worked to export the program to families throughout the U.S. and the world, one of his proudest achievements.
Faced with a majority Democratic legislature and massive budget problems, then-Governor Bond soon learned the only way to govern was through bipartisan compromise. A lesson that would later earn the future Senator the well-deserved reputation as a statesman able to forge bipartisan compromises on thorny issues as varied as the landmark Family Medical Leave Act, first-of-its kind birth defects prevention legislation, an acid rain trading compromise, safe and affordable public housing reform, and emergency legislation to close critical gaps in our terrorist intelligence collection efforts.
After his second successful term as Governor, Bond continued his service to Missouri by winning election to the United States Senate in 1986. That year, Bond was the only Republican to capture a seat previously held by a Democrat. Missouri voters then returned Bond to the U.S. Senate in 1992, 1998, and 2004.
Visiting regularly with mayors, farmers, veterans and constituents across the state, Bond was quick to stress his best ideas came from listening to Missourians, not Washingtonians.
Throughout his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Bond was first and foremost a fierce advocate for Missouri’s interests, from using his positions on key committees to secure federal funding for local priorities; increase the state’s funding share for roads and bridges; modernizing Missouri’s locks and dams; promoting scientific innovation on the farm; improving public housing; securing air superiority combat platforms; and delivering flood and natural disaster response, to name just a few.
In the halls of Congress, Kit could always be spotted with his trademark smile and be counted on for a famous “Kit-ism”. “He who drafts last, drafts last,” was his focus on legislating. “Like loading frogs in a wheel barrel,” was his description of building winning coalitions. “It was a goat roping and a windmill greasing,” was his summary of an unsuccessful legislative day. “Off like a herd of turtles,” was his response to calls for swift Senate action.
In both a political and personal sense, Kit Bond will long be remembered as a ‘favorite son” of his beloved State of Missouri. Over the course of his career, he was elected to statewide office seven times- more than any other elected official in Missouri history. Throughout his years as Governor and Senator, working alongside Jack Danforth, John Ashcroft and Roy Blunt and others, Bond helped build a team that transformed Missouri
into a stronghold of the Republican party.
Kit Bond was known as the “go-to-Senator”, and often described as “the work horse not the show horse,” and he loved every minute he worked for his fellow Missourians. What made his career truly remarkable, wasn’t just what he achieved, but how he achieved it. He was widely respected for passionately recognizing the interests of both his supporters and his critics with equal passion. He treated every voter as persuadable, every citizen as a resource and an equal, and no one outworked him. Few knew Missouri – or its people –better than Kit Bond. His authenticity, good humor, and steadfast love for the State will remain his enduring legacy.
Kit leaves behind his wife of 22 years, his best friend and the love of his life, Linda Holwick Bond; his son Samuel Reid Bond, referred by Kit as his hero for his service as a U.S. Marine in Iraq, and Sam’s family, Kit’s treasures, wife Margaret Crews Bond, granddaughter Elizabeth Ivy Bond (14) and grandson Samuel Walker Bond (11). Kit Bond was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Arthur and Elizabeth Bond and brother, Arthur Bond Jr.
A State Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of Governor Kit Bond was held in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at noon. The public is invited to attend.
Governor Bond will lied in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a 24-hour period immediately following the State Memorial Service, allowing members of the public to pay their respects.
A celebration of Kit’s life was held at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. All who knew and loved Kit are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choosing. A number that were especially important to Kit are:
• Parents As Teachers, St Louis, MO
• The Christopher S Bond Community Health Scholarship Program C/O
• The Missouri Community Health Foundation, Jefferson City, MO
• Central Missouri Food Bank, Columbia, MO
• Handi-Shop, Mexico, MO
A private interment will take place at a later date. The family extends their heartfelt thanks for the love and support received during this time.
Charles Curtis Giddens
Charles Curtis Giddens, 84, of Agency, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. A lifelong resident of Frazier, Missouri, Curtis was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, and respected member of his community.
Born on February 26, 1941, Curtis grew up with strong values rooted in faith, hard work and kindness. He attended Number Five School and later graduated from Gower High School. He carried his values with him throughout his life—whether on the farm, in the community, or at home with his family.
Curtis dedicated his life to agriculture and was known for his strong work ethic and helping spirit. He worked for Buchanan County ASCS measuring crops and spent many years as a proud farmer. He especially enjoyed harvesting corn, baling hay, and raising cattle. As a man of faith, Curtis was a lifelong member of Frazier Baptist Church. He was a 4-H leader, served on the Buchanan County Extension Council, and was a member of the Frazier Cemetery Board, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.
He had a deep love for the land, people and nature. He enjoyed hunting, fishing with his grandchildren, and team penning with his daughters. His neighbors knew they could always count on him—for a hand fixing a fence, a good conversation in the shop, or a quiet gesture of support when it was needed most. He enjoyed early morning phone calls with friends and sharing meals full of laughter and stories with his loved ones.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lillian Giddens.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Erma Giddens, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and partnership. He is also survived by his three daughters, Lisa Giddens (Greg Narleski), Susan Giddens (Jason Perry), and Nancy Giddens (Collin Stosberg); and four grandchildren, Wyeth Perry, Emery Perry, Reese Perry, and Ayla Giddens O’Dowd. He will be dearly missed by extended family and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Frazier Cemetery or Frazier Baptist Church, both close to Curtis’s heart.
Curtis Giddens will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, gentle spirit and the deep love he had for his family, community and the land. His legacy will continue to live on in all who knew and loved him.
FCS Financial Awards $70,000 in Scholarships to Missouri Students
Source: FCS
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., April 29, 2025 - FCS
Financial has awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 35 Missouri students, providing $2,000 each to assist with their higher education costs. This significant investment underscores the cooperative’s commitment to supporting the future leaders of rural Missouri.
Since 2004, FCS Financial has distributed over $945,000 through its Scholarship Program, benefiting the children and grandchildren of its member-owners. The program aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education and foster the development of strong agricultural and rural community leaders.
“As a cooperative, FCS Financial’s Scholarship Program is a vital benefit for our member-owners,” said Rob Guinn, FCS Financial Chief Executive Officer. “These scholarships not only provide essential financial support, but they also represent an investment in the future of our rural communities and the agricultural industry.”
The 2025 scholarship recipients represent a diverse range of Missouri communities, demonstrating the program’s statewide impact. Recipients include:
Eli Bowles, Miller
Mariska Buehler, Nevada
McKenzie Dowell, Miami
Hayden Duncan, Centertown
Jenna Edwards, Carrollton
Kellan Eye, Montrose
Addison Fansler, Auxvasse
Richard Fraley, Alton
Grace Gebhardt, Salisbury
Carter Grass, Ste. Genevieve
Noah Groose, Dadeville
Brayden Hallford, California
Cole Hamilton, Archie
Chloe Hodge, New Hampton
Cash Honeycutt, Richmond
Elliot Key, Paris
Darcy Koch, Villa Ridge
Rileigh Kuntz, Eolia
Chloe Lawson, Leeton
Hannah Lentz, Green Ridge
Nolan Milliken, Lebanon
Lyla Oesch, Mooresville
Raegan Pendleton, Stotts City
Alden Perry, Gower
Madeliene Pollard, Lathrop
Hunter Redden, Stanberry
Talan Reynolds, Drexel
Avery Ridgley, Jonesburg
Tinley Schneider, Atlanta
Natalie Shryock, Columbia
Izzy Swope, Rich Hill
Audrey Tobin, Skidmore
Tanner Trinklein, Jefferson City
Aaron Veenstra, Hartville
Troy Zeilstra, Brunswick
The application period for the 2026 FCS Financial Scholarship Program will open on September 1, 2025. Information will be available at www.myfcsfinancial. com.
FCS Financial is Missouri’s largest ag lender and serves 102 counties in Missouri through 21 branch offices. FCS Financial is also a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of cooperative lending institutions.
Private, Public Cooperators Reduce Missouri Feral Hog Numbers
Source: MU Extension
SALEM, Mo. – Feral hog occupancy of Missouri watersheds has fallen 84% since 2016, when the state’s Feral Hog Elimination Partnership began.
Funded by the U.S. Farm Bill and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the partnership comprises 18 federal and state entities work together to eliminate feral hogs on public and private lands.
Kevin Crider, University of Missouri Extension cooperative feral hog outreach educator, says 5,105 feral hogs were removed from Missouri watershed areas by aerial operations and trapping in 2024. This compares to 7,880 the previous year. That’s good news: It means the are fewer hogs out there.
“That is a 35% drop in hogs taken off of the landscape. The trajectory is totally in the direction we want to see things moving,” says Crider.
Educators like Crider work with landowners at meetings and one-on-one farm visits. Forty-eight elimination specialists focus on Missouri forests and watersheds, mostly south of Interstate 44. In 2024, elimination specialists scouted nearly 4 million acres to locate and eradicate the feral hogs.
Success attributed to private, public partnerships Crider credits a large part of the program’s success to the 609 “cooperators” who worked with outreach educators and elimination specialists in 2024. The number of landowners participating in the program has dropped by about half due to its effectiveness.
Retailers who sell agricultural and hunting products have signed on to increase public awareness of the program by placing informational pamphlets in their establishments.
But there is still a lot of work to do, says Crider. “The Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership is still here to address the problems feral hogs present.” says Crider.
Feral hogs threaten crops, environment, public health “Feral hogs are one of the most destructive and dangerous invasive species in the United States, causing damage to agricultural crops and woodlands, native habitats and local ecosystems,” says Crider. “Additionally, they act as vectors of disease that threaten commercial livestock operations.”
Feral hogs reproduce rapidly, with sows breeding by 6 months of age and birthing two or three litters of
Dent County veterinarian Carla Taylor, right, and landowner Freddie Leroux, left, are Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership “cooperators.” Taylor helps bring awareness of the partnership’s services while Leroux works with the partnership on feral hog elimination. Photo by Kevin Crider.
6-12 piglets year, he says. Before the program, feral hog numbers had increased substantially over the previous 25 years.
As hog numbers decline, it becomes harder to local their herds, called sounders. Partnerships with landowners are important so that private lands do not become sanctuaries for feral hogs, Crider says.
Trapping feral hogs is neither simple nor quick because they become trap-shy and scatter when threatened, he says Crider. Pressured hogs move to new areas and begin breeding again.
They hide under cover of dense forests and travel primarily at night. They root up ground in search of acorns, plant roots, earthworms and grubs. They tear up smaller trees by rubbing them. Both male and female feral hogs have tusks, which they use for defense. The males also use them to establish dominance.
They make large wallows in moist areas and root up holes the size of truck tires in pastures. “Missouri ranks second in the U.S. for total number of farms, so feral hogs are a problem Missouri ag producers cannot afford,” says Crider.
Free equipment available for loan
Through the program, farmers can borrow equipment free of charge to repair damage and make land productive again. Equipment includes no-till drills, cultipackers and harrows, all purchased by the Missouri Department of Conservation for local Soil and Water Conservation districts to manage.
Technology plays critical role
Currently, 21 drone operators scour the landscape from the skies. During nighttime operations, drones with heat-sensing cameras scout hogs on the ground. Trappers mark their locations with GPS points. During the day, a helicopter flies to those locations to destroy scouted hogs. Helicopter operations, which occur from December to March, are highly effective at feral hog removal, says Crider.
Cameras in the woods track travel patterns and herd size. Trappers bait areas in frequently visited areas. Sensors trigger hoisted traps to confine hogs who take the bait. Many traps are monitored in real time with a video camera called a HogEye.
Help is Available
To report feral hog damage or receive assistance, call the Missouri Department of Conservation at 573-522-4115, Ext. 3296, or visit the department’s feral hogs webpage. You can also find information on MU Extension’s website at muext.us/FeralHogProject.
Funding for this work is through a Feral Swine Control Program (FSCP) through the USDA as part of the Farm Bill. Missouri Department of Conservation is the lead agency on the project.
Rooting damage from feral hogs at a golf course in Viburnum, Mo. Photo by Kevin Crider.
Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference is Aug. 13-14 in St. Louis
Source: MU Extension
The Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference is set for Aug. 13-14 in St. Louis. Speakers from across the globe will tackle a variety of pertinent topics, said event organizer Tim Safranski, University of Missouri Extension state swine breeding specialist.
“The first Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference was offered in 2000 when less than half of US sows were mated artificially. There was a lot of interest in artificial insemination and a fair amount of training on the female side, but boar and semen work were woefully underserved,” Safranski said. “This is the only boarexclusive event in North America. We typically have 160-180 attendees who represent 85% or so of U.S. boars. Besides attracting people from 18-20 states, we also have international attendees.”
Conference topics include how protocols in isolation affect performance in collection, environmental impacts on boar development, the effect of varying feeding
strategies on the working boar, and what we are and what we should be doing about feed contaminants such as mycotoxins.
Safranski said the program targets routine knowledge as well as cutting-edge material and thoughts for the future. Speakers represent “the best of the best,” he said. This year there are speakers from academia and industry from 10 U.S. states plus Germany and China.
Both barn and lab topics are covered, including an overview of what happens on the sow farm, semen collection, impact of environment, feeding and nutrition, health and hygiene, facility thoughts and semen processing updates.
“A highlight has been our stud managers panel where the moderator and the audience put managers on the stage to answer questions that may not be covered by the speakers,” Safranski said. “That is the final agenda item the first day, just prior to the evening activity. There is also ample time built into the agenda for interaction with sponsors, speakers and other attendees.”
The conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis-Westport.
Learn more and register at https://cvent.me/N2ZRPW.
For questions, contact Tim Safranski at safranskiT@ missouri.edu.
MU Extension Outlines Missouri Population Growth
Source: MU Extension
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Analysis from University of Missouri Extension has placed Missouri as the 19th-mostpopulous state in the U.S. as of 2024, with 6.25 million residents.
In a recent Missouri Economy Indicator brief from MU Extension’s Exceed program, researchers explored population and migration dynamics across the ShowMe State. Between 2020 and 2024, the state gained more than 90,000 new residents, increasing the overall population by 1.5% over four years. The brief notes that metro counties had a slightly higher growth rate of 1.6%, while nonmetro counties had a 1.1% growth rate.
MU Extension researchers found that the increase in population was driven entirely by migration: 101,152 new residents made Missouri their homes after arriving from other, accounting for the entire positive net population change in this period. At the same time, the natural population change, determined by the difference between births and deaths, resulted in a loss of more than 11,000 people.
“Missouri’s population continues to grow slowly but steadily, driven entirely by migration,” said Luke Dietterle, MU Extension specialist and Exceed contributor. “Missouri is a destination for both international and domestic migrants; roughly three out of five new Missouri residents since 2020 have been international migrants.”
With the natural decrease in population offset by migration, Missouri not only ranks 19th in population size, it also holds the same rank in population growth.
For more insights on Missouri’s population and migration dynamics, read the latest Missouri Economy Indicator brief at http://muext.us/mei.
Gariss Receives IBBA Breeder of the Year Award
Source: IBBA
The International Brangus Breeders Association Breeder of the Year honor was recently presented to Cody Gariss of Lamar, Missouri. He is a thirdgeneration cattleman and he and his family raise purebred and commercial Brangus under Gariss Cattle Co.
Growing up on a diversified cattle operation in Lamar, Missouri, he attended Missouri State University and graduated with honors from MSU with a major in animal science and a minor in economics in 2005. He returned to the family operation following graduation. In addition to their seedstock operation, he is the coowner/operator of a commercial cow/calf operation and large backgrounding/stocker operation, retaining ownership in the majority of the Brangus sired cattle produced there.
Cody Gariss, Lamar, Missouri was named the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Breeder of the Year in Houston, Texas. Pictured l to r: Rick Cozzitorto, IBBA EVP, Camille Burns, Brangus Queen, Gariss and his wife Emily and Vern Suhn.
Gariss is also the president of GenePlus, a Brangus genetic partnership and before that GeneTrust. He oversees the joint efforts of eight breeding programs and their two annual sales.
He has served the IBBA as a board member and has been an active member of several association committees.
Kingsville, Missouri
Hwy. 58 • 45 Miles SE of Kansas City, MO Special Cow & Bull Sale Friday, June 27 • 5:00 p.m. For information call Rick, Jeremy, or Jared Anstine 816-597-3331 Visit our website kingsvillelivestock.com or E-mail us at: anstineauction@gmail.com
Cattle Sale Every Tuesday 10:30 a.m.
Capitol Update
with Nancy Giddens & Shannon Cooper
A Strong Finish for Missouri’s Ag Families
As we wrap up the 2025 Missouri legislative session, we can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude— not only for the work accomplished under the Capitol dome but for the continued resilience, unity, and grit of Missouri’s agricultural community. Representing Missouri’s cattlemen and women in Jefferson City is more than a job, it’s a purpose. This year, we’re pleased to report that your voices were heard, your priorities were respected, and your hard work was honored.
One of the session’s shining moments came in the form of meaningful budgetary wins for agriculture. Legislators from both chambers came together to prioritize funding that directly supports Missouri’s farmers and ranchers. Increased investments were secured for rural infrastructure, veterinary science programs, and workforce development initiatives—all critical components in sustaining our livestock industry for generations to come. These dollars represent more than line items; they represent a recognition that our rural communities are the beating heart of this state.
Perhaps the biggest policy highlight of the session was the passage of key water exportation language—a long-awaited step in protecting one of our most precious natural resources. This provision ensures that water originating in Missouri stays here to support Missouri. With growing concerns over water security in agriculture, this legislation is a forward-thinking measure that respects the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities who depend on a reliable water supply not just to operate, but to thrive.
But wins like these don’t happen in a vacuum. They are the result of tireless work by legislative champions— leaders who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Missouri
agriculture even when the political winds blow cold. A heartfelt thank you goes to our unwavering advocates who understand that when agriculture succeeds, Missouri succeeds. Their efforts to protect ag interests, advance responsible water policy, and secure necessary funding were nothing short of extraordinary.
Of course, no legislative session is without its share of hurdles. But it’s in those moments of challenge that our community shines brightest. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association once again showed up in force—whether testifying in hearings, making phone calls, or telling your story during Cowboys in the Capitol visits. That’s the MCA secret: real people making real connections.
As we move into the summer and take stock of the year’s progress, we want to thank you—the cattle producers, the ranch families, the rural advocates—for entrusting us to be your voice at the Capitol. Every handshake, every conversation, and every early-morning committee hearing was worth it. Missouri agriculture is stronger because of you.
We’ll be back at it before we know it, but for now, let’s take a moment to celebrate. Here’s to greener pastures, fuller tanks, and a state that continues to value the people who feed it.
In gratitude, Nancy and Cooper
Nancy Giddens & Shannon Cooper
SALE REPORTS
East Central Angus Ass’n Sale
4.19.2025 • Cuba, MO
24
Show-Me Reds Sale - Missouri Red Angus Assn.
Heart of the Ozarks Angus Ass’n Sale
Gardiner Angus Ranch Meating Demand
SALE CALENDAR
June 7 Eastern Missouri SMS Sale, Palmyra, MO
June 8-13 R ed Angus Youth Expo, Springfield, MO
June 14 R eplacement Heifer Sale @ the Missouri Cattlemens Youth Expo, Sedalia, MO
June 14 MCA 22nd Annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry PAC Auction, Sedalia, MO
June 17 Wall Street Cattle Red Wagyu & A kaushi Complete & Total Dispersal Sale, Online LiveAuction
June 20 Value-Added Sale at JRS, Carthage, MO
June 23
Yearling Special Sale at JRS, Carthage, MO
July 1 Big Bang Sale, Pittsburg, KS
July 7 Yearling Special Sale at JRS, Carthage, MO
Sept. 4-6 Stockmanship & Stewardship, Springfield, MO
Oct. 18 G erloff BullFest Sale, Bland, MO
Oct. 24 T Bar S Focused on the Future Bull Sale, Billings, MO
Oct. 25
L acy’s Red Angus & MC Livestock
A nnual Production Sale, Drexel, MO
Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 GenePlus Brangus & UltraBlack Bull and Female Sale, Concord, AR
Nov. 22 Sydenstricker Genetics 47th Annual Production Sale, Mexico, MO
MBC Classified
The MBC Classified column appears monthly. Classified advertising is only 50¢ per word. Send your check with your ad to Missouri Beef Cattleman, P.O. Box 480977, Kansas City, MO 64148. Deadline 15th of month before an issue.
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BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS SINCE 1993: Calving Ease, Attractive, Athletic, Sound Footed and Docile. We Deliver. Mike Williams, Higginsville, 816-797-5450
SYCAMORE CREEK SIMANGUS BULLS & BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE. Great EPDs. Wayne and Anita Vanderwert -15 minutes from Columbia. 573-808-3000 or 303-506-3508
HORNED HEREFORD BULLS. Large frame, add weaning weight and good disposition. 10 miles south of Warrensburg. ET Herefords. David Bernt 660-238-2395. Tim Bernt 816-517-4102.
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