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

In this week's Missouri Beef Industry Council report, executive director John Kleiboeker talks about the Lunch and Learn programs held so far around the state that featured beef cattle operations. Listen>> (5:14) or subscribe with iTunes®

Every Week is Ag Week in Missouri This week marks the 36th anniversary of National Ag Week, a nationwide effort to recognize agriculture's contribution to the everyday lives of Americans. In Missouri, the state's commodity groups are working to ensure this key message is extended beyond March 15-21.

Beef Food Safety Efforts Include Ethanol Co-Product Research Increasing numbers of Missouri beef cattle producers are feeding their animals with a by-product of ethanol production known as distillers' grains and research is showing that this practice provides a nutritious, low cost feed supplement for cattle and a healthy final product for consumers. Missouri currently has six ethanol plants in production and Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) board member and cattle producer Jim Freeman of Salem says the use of distillers' grains for feed is widespread across the state. More