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P: 573.817.0899
F: 573.817.0889 john@mobeef.com Missouri Beef Industry Council 2306 Bluff Creek Drive, #200 Columbia, MO 65201 |
Missouri Beef ProductionDid 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
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