Beef
Mississippi Beef Cattle Production
Beef production is a significant component of Mississippi agriculture. The total value of production of cattle and calves in Mississippi is estimated at $210 million for 2019. Total cattle inventory in Mississippi on January 1, 2020 was 920,000 head, including 482,000 head of beef cows and 92,000 head of beef cow replacements. Stocker cattle production is also very prominent with 400,000+ head of stocker cattle residing in the state annually. Beef cattle operations in Mississippi currently total approximately 15,940 operations.
BCIA Field Day and Annual Meeting
2021 Fall BCIA Bull and Heifer Sale
Nomination forms are now available for the 2021 BCIA Bull and Heifer Sale. The Sale will be held on November 4, 2021 in Raymond at the Hinds Community College Sale Facility. Please review the sale rules and regulations to be sure animals meet elgibility requirements.
Master Cattle Producer Regsitration Hold
The Master Cattle Producer Program is currently undergoing a transition to an online learning management system, and as such there will be a delay in video and content availability. Please bear with us during this tranistion, and we will share the new site when it is available.
Beef Quality Assurance Trainings Scheduled
November:
Lawrence County
Date: Thursday, November 11, 2021 time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: James E. Givens Agri-building, 1535 F.E. Sellers Highway, Monticello, MS 39654
Training options:
1-Complete the course virtually and receive the BQA manual and completion certificate electronically. (Free)
2-Complete the course virtually or in-person (where available*) and receive the BQA manual, completion certificate, vaccine cooler, and bumper sticker via mail ($20 per person)
*Check with your local cattlemen's association or county extension office to see if an in person option will be offered in your area.
*Pre-registration is required in advacne if materials are requested
To request a BQA meeting in your area please contact Dr. Huston or Dr. Karisch.
A certification fee of $15 is required and includes manual, vaccine cooler, and bumper sticker.Certifications begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information on the BQA program.
Pre-registration: MSU Extension 662-325-4344 or m.quinn@msstate.edu
What do you need to know about VFD?
Online Registration Now Available for Beef Extension Events
We are excited to announce that online registration and credit card payment are now available for upcoming Beef Extension events such as AI School, BQA certification, and Master Cattle Producer. Visit the link below to register:
https://register.extension.msstate.edu/cattle-workshops
MSUES Cattle Apps
The MSUES Cattle Calculator App is now available for download for Apple and Android devices. Cattle Calculator allows beef cattle producers to make quick everyday calculations important for their operations. Calculations related to reproductive management, animal performance, and management decisions are available. Reproductive calculations include: calving date based on a known breeding date, breeding date based on a known calving date, number of days pregnant based on today's date and a breeding date, and a breeding season calculator which provides calving and breeding dates based on a set breeding season. Animal performance calculations include: Adjusted birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, average daily gain, and required gain. Management calculation include: dosage calculations for dewormers and medicines given an animal weight and manufacturer's recommended dosage, frame score calculations, trailer stocking density, and yield grade.
MSUES Cattle Calculator App download for Apple devices
MSUES Cattle Calculator App download for Android devices
eXtension Beef Cattle Clearinghouse
eXtension provides objective and research-based information and learning opportunities that help people improve their lives. It is an educational partnership of 74 universities in the United States. The eXtension Beef Cattle Clearinghouse focuses on practical beef production information.
Beef Extension Listserv Sign-up
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Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi’s beef cattle herd size and farm inventory have not changed much in the last three years, but changes are taking place elsewhere in the industry.
The most recent count from the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine lists 920,000 head of cattle on 15,980 farms as of 2020. In 2018, the state had a head count of 930,000 on about the same number of farms.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept applications for assistance from agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.Sign-up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 -- CFAP 2 -- begins Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 11, 2020. The program is open to producers of row crops, livestock, aquaculture, dairy and specialty crop commodities.
Grilled kabobs just shout summertime! The best part about kabobs is getting to choose your favorite vegetables to include. This traditional take on kabobs includes potatoes and zucchini. But you could easily add other veggies, including mushrooms or peppers.
You may be thinking, “Potatoes?! I’ll burn up my steak before the potatoes are done!” Never fear! You will microwave the potatoes before grilling to be sure they’re properly cooked!
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Food supplies in the U.S. are abundant and safe, despite some challenges in packaging and distribution related to COVID-19.
Robert Johannson, chief economist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, acknowledged “widespread worries that the disease could threaten the nation’s food production and supply systems and stoke inflation” in a statement issued April 16.
Success Stories
Extension continues assisting one of Mississippi’s most successful beef producers
Beef cattle producer Jacob “Jake” Megehee identifies cattle producers’ needs and publicizes them at the highest levels. Elected officials and fellow cattlemen all over the country respect his personal success raising and selling beef cattle through Megehee Cattle Company.
Brahman cattle at South Farm, formally known as H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center at Mississippi State University, enjoyed a snowy morning when most of Mississippi saw snowflakes on January 11, 2021.
Vardaman producer named Farmer of the Year
When Joe Edmondson surveys his farming operation at Topashaw Farms, he thinks about his more than 40 full-time employees and the hundreds of seasonal workers who work the acres.
See what is new in Extension... Extension partners to promote beef quality assurance program, Extension recognized in Gulf Guardian Award Project, First Ag leadership class graduates, and Extension supports residents participating in U.S. Census 2020.
For the first 15 years of their marriage, Ted and Janet Parker lived off of one income. She made the living, and nearly every penny he made as a beef cattle farmer went right back into growing their farm.
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