The Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and University of Missouri Extension are teaming up for a tour of beef cattle operations in southwest Missouri starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.
Tour stops this year are in the southeast corner of Lawrence County according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with MU Extension.
The first stop on the tour is at John Wheeler’s farm. He specializes in buying and developing black baldy, Show-Me-Select bred heifers. Since starting on the SMS program in 2003, Wheeler has sold 1,317 heifers at the special sales at Joplin Regional. The average price of his heifers has exceeded the average of the sale in 25 or the 28 sales.
"In addition to seeing the heifers that Wheeler has lined up for the November sale, he will discuss his use of heat synchronization, artificial insemination, and his grazing system," said Cole.
There will be two stops at Wheeler’s farm. The beginning location is one-half mile south of the junction of Lawrence 2210 and 1235. Lawrence 2210 takes off of Hwy 60, one-quarter mile east of the stop light at the Aurora Dodge dealership. From the west edge of Marionville, you may take Lawrence 1235 due south to 2210 then one-half miles south.
Following the first stop the tour heads past Wheeler’s home place for a brief stop and then on to Moriondo Farms, Aurora at the junction of Lawrence 1210 and 2152.
"There, participants will hear about their SimAngus and Angus purebred and commercial herd that numbers around 1100 cows. They calve both late winter and in the fall," said Cole.
Forages at Moriondo Farms include novel fescue, both Max Q and Bar Optima, bermudagrass which they interseed with rye and a field of warm season grass.
"This year they bought corn silage and are constructing a commodity storage building. They held their first production sale last fall with a second one coming up this November," said Cole.
Right next door to Moriondos is the third stop at Waller Embryo Transfer. Their GPS address is 20714 Lawrence 2152. Hosts here are Dale Waller, DVM and son, Nathan. They run about 100 Gelbvieh and Balancer females that calve in the late spring. They also have a large number of recipients.
"They will explain the process of embryo transfer, show you their lab, working pens and discuss their rotational grazing system, which includes Bermuda," said Cole.
At the conclusion of the tour, the Cattlemen’s Association will grill beef burgers for supper. The tour is open all. There is no charge, and advance registration is not required.
Contact the Lawrence County MU Extension center in Mt. Vernon at 417-466-3102 if you have questions.
