Missouri Beef Industry Council

Missouri Beef Production

Did you know Missouri is home to more than 2 million beef cows, making it the second leading state in the nation in the number of beef cows and sixth among all states in total cattle numbers with 4.35 million? All these contented cows live on 67,000 farms, which run either beef or dairy cattle.

Several factors have influenced the type of livestock production currently practiced in Missouri. Climate, soil types and terrain, location, availability of markets and its people have all contributed to animal agriculture in this state.

Missouri's climate is well suited to livestock because they are not subjected to the high temperatures and disease & pest problems of the southern states, but we're not so far north as have extremely harsh winters. Pastures receive more rainfall than in the arid southwestern states but not as much as the humid northwestern or southeastern United States. Our climate contributes to long growing seasons for native grasses and improved pasture. The northern and southeastern fertile cropland portions of the state provide feed grains while the hilly Ozark plateau is suitable only for animal agriculture.

Being near the geographical and population centers of the contiguous United States allows Missouri to export animals easily for further feeding, processing or consumption.

In The News for Producers

This week's Missouri Checkoff Chat features several professors at the College of the Ozarks near Branson, also known as Hard Work U, which features a culinary arts program and an excellent agriculture program, as well as several working agricultural operations, including beef cattle and a meat processing facility. Listen>> (4:48) or subscribe with iTunes®

Sedalia Cattleman Chosen for National Beef Checkoff Post
Sedalia beef cattle producer David Dick was chosen vice chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils during the 2010 annual Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, held recently in San Antonio. Read More Here

Missouri Beef Industry Council Launches Farmer Freedom
The Missouri Beef Industry Council has launched a social media Web program called "Farmer Freedom" to keep Missouri's 60,000 beef producers informed about activist attacks on agriculture and equip them to become "pro-activists." The program, located at www.farmerfreedom.com, was launched to protect farmer freedom to operate and help ensure grocery shoppers enjoy a continued supply of low-cost, nutritious food, according to Executive Director John Kleiboeker. Read More Here