Beef is a big industry in the Show-Me State. According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri ranks second in the nation in beef production with 4.25 million head of cattle on 59,000 operations.

Since its inception in 1870, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR)at the University of Missouri has been there to provide research for the state’s livestock producers. A valuable asset to the College for nearly a half-century has been Thompson Research Center where countless studies to help improve production and test management systems.

Each year, the latest findings to benefit farmers and ranchers have been showcased at the annual Field Day, which will be held Sept. 16 at Thompson Research Center. The free educational event will feature informational presentations and opportunities to connect with agricultural industry professionals, vendors and experts.

Superintendent Rodney Geisert welcomed the crowd at last year’s Field Day.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with talks beginning at 9 a.m. A wide variety of topics covered will include hay saving storage and feeding options, recent findings in animal health, estrous synchronization, nutrition impacts on calves during pregnancy and use of genomics to build better cow herds.

Scott Brown, assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics, also will share economic strategies to consider in rebuilding a beef cow herd.

Several area AI companies will be on hand to chat with ranchers about their latest products and services.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon and demonstrations will run till 2 p.m.

For more information about the Thompson Research Center Field Day call 660-485-6576 or visit the center’s new website at http://thompson.cafnr.org.

Thompson Research Center is located west of Spickard. From Trenton, head north on Highway 65 for 12 miles and turn left onto Highway C. Continue through Spickard on Highway C for 7 miles until a bend in the road merges to the right with Highway A. Continue north for less than a half mile and turn left onto Highway C. The center will be on the left in 4 miles.

Thompson is one of CAFNR’s Agricultural Research Centers located throughout Missouri that host educational workshops. Visit http://cafnr.org/events/ for more events located across the Show-Me State.

To download press-quality photos from last year’s Field Day, visit CAFNR’s Flickr site at http://bit.ly/ThompsonFD13. Photos of Thompson Research Center can be found at http://bit.ly/ThompsonRC.

Scott Brown, Research Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics, will speak about beef cattle economics and the future of the industry.