The Thompson Research Center explores beef cattle production systems and hosts an annual Field Day to bring those findings to local producers and landowners.

Thompson Research Center Superintendent Rodney Geisert talks to attendees of the Thompson Research Center Field Day, which took place Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Spickard.

The Thompson Research Center Field Day, held Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Spickard, showcased topics such as genomics, economic opportunities and drone surveillance. The Thompson Research Center is one of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Agricultural Research Centers.

Several local producers and landowners attended the Field Day, taking in the presentations and networking with other individuals.

“I think the topics and speakers provided really useful information for the students and producers who attended,” Superintendent Rodney Geisert said. “I would like to have seen better attendance, but we did have a good turnout. The producers seemed to be satisfied with the talks and liked the education part we put together on technology in animal production and the drone demonstration.”

Hundley-Whaley Research Center Superintendent Bruce Burdick showed attendees the Thompson Research Center from a different angle – the air. Burdick used a drone to show producers another way to look over their farms. Wurdack Research Center Superintendent Dusty Walter showed the results of a recent timber harvest Thompson conducted.

“Those demonstrations add variety to the Field Day,” Geisert said. “Many producers have timber on their property and can follow what we have done at the Thompson Research Center to add value and revenue to their farm. Drones can have many uses for their land survey from water drainage to finding calves in the pasture.”

Dave Patterson talks to attendees of the Thompson Research Center Field Day, which took place Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Spickard.

Several University of Missouri faculty made the trip to talk to attendees as well. Dave Patterson, Jared Decker and Scott Brown also presented during the Field Day. Patterson, Division of Animal Sciences, talked about the reproductive research taking place at Thompson. Decker, Division of Animal Sciences, explained genomic application and research at Thompson. Brown, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, discussed the economic opportunities for Missouri cattle producers facing lower cattle prices.

“We have such great experts in all the fields for beef productions, so it allows us to cover a number of topics that allow those who attend a chance to learn something useful for their own beef programs,” Geisert said.

Geisert also presented on modified genes and their importance in the future of beef cattle production.

Attendees were engaged throughout the day, asking questions and diving deeper into the researchers’ findings.

“Producers need to not only see how to utilize the new genomic evaluation in selecting animals in their herd, but can hopefully, with the changing downside of the cattle market, see how that will help them in the future,” Geisert said. “We hope to always provide what producers need today and in the future to stay competitive in the beef cattle business.”

For a closer look at the Thompson Field Day, visit flickr.com/photos/cafnr/albums/72157670840328694.