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Showing posts from August, 2022

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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal

Commercial Cattlemen's Symposium Focused on Heifer Development

DENVER - The bustling ballrooms of Kalispell, Montana, will soon be filled with innovative and forward-thinking cattlemen and women during the 69th annual National Red Angus Convention. The Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium, hosted by the Red Angus Association of America, is sure to be a highlight of the convention and will offer beef producers the tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their operations and improve their profitability. This year’s symposium, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell on Wednesday, Sept. 14, will feature a diverse, experienced group of speakers guaranteed to offer valuable insight to attendees. “We are thrilled to continue offering commercial cattlemen and women free educational events during the annual National Red Angus Convention. As the Commercial Marketing Team, it is always exhilarating to bring so many commercial operations – our customers – together for this event. Red Angus has always been focused on the cow, and with the release of our new

Herefords in the Cove: Measure What is Important to You

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 As I no longer have an extension appointment, my presentations at producer meetings have become much less frequent. I did get the opportunity to present at Herefords at the Cove event put on by the Georgia Hereford Association. This is a continuation of the Herefords on the Mountain event started by Tommy Coley. Here is a link to my slides. Decker_HerefordsCove_2022.pptx As I was driving home from Junior National Hereford Expo, a thought popped into my head. I like Love's gas stations. Part of the reason I like them, is they consistently have clean bathrooms. And why do they have clean bathrooms? Because they measure it! As cattle breeders, we can take a lesson from this. We need to make sure we are measuring what is important to us and our customers.