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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 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 our state 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. The climate of Missouri is such that livestock are not subjected to the higher temperatures of the more southerly states and the disease and pest problems associated with them. Yet it is not so far north as to require livestock to endure 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. The climate also contributes to the long growing season 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 only suitable 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. ![]() |
