STOCKTON, Mo. – Entries will be accepted through October 10th for the next Missouri Steer Feedout, with weigh-in on November 1st, says University of Missouri Extension Livestock Field Specialist Patrick Davis.
An entry consists of five or more head of steers born after January 1, 2022. At delivery they should be weaned at least 45 days, weigh over 500 pounds, be dehorned, castrated and healed, and have had two rounds of modified live vaccines.
“This program is a cooperation between MU Extension, Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture and Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity in Iowa that began in 1981,” says Davis. Over the years there has been over 369 farms enter over 7,900 head of steers in the program.
The usual pickup locations are in northeastern Missouri at the Paris Veterinary Clinic in Monroe County and in southwestern Missouri at Joplin Regional Stockyards near Carthage, Mo. Following weigh-in, Missouri Department of Agriculture graders evaluate and price steers. Pricing helps at the end of the feedout when profitability is calculated, says Davis.
“After the weigh-in, the steers are sent to a feedlot in southwestern Iowa as part of the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF),” says Davis. Complete carcass data is gathered once the steers are slaughtered.
TCSCF officials combine the set-in price, feedlot performance and carcass value to find out which steers were the most profitable during the finishing phase. “This helps participants make decisions about breeding stock and whether to retain ownership,” says Davis.
Consignors at Joplin Regional Stockyards also gain valuable insight into what market officials, order buyers and others in the beef industry think of their feeders through a feeder panel grading and audience participation, says Davis. This educational event is held in conjunction with the Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association monthly educational series.
“The feedout offers consignors other attractive perks,” says Davis. The only upfront money required is a $20 per head entry fee payable by October 10th. There are no periodic feed bills, as all expenses are deducted from the final check. Those who send 10 or more steers may ask for a cash advance once the steers arrive in Iowa. The advance cannot exceed 50% of the initial market value of the cattle.
If producers are interested in enrolling cattle in the program or want more information contact Davis at the Cedar County MU Extension Center at (417) 276-3313; or Daniel Malory at the Ralls County MU Extension Center at (573) 985-3911; or Gene Schmitz at the Pettis County MU Extension Center at (660) 827-0591.
