In conjunction with the Calloway County Cattlemen's Association, McCracken, Marshall and Calloway Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted a Heifer Development program for producers in the region. Heifer Development has become a profitable niche market for producers with high quality genetics wanting to capitalize on the investment of purchasing said genetics. In addition, the region has several producers interested in developing heifers for their own operation to reduce the need for additional capital investments.  

However, it is a long-term investment to develop quality bred heifers to market as private treat or in a bred heifer sale. This multi-station meeting was designed to help producers understand the true cost of developing a heifer, the steps of initial evaluation, and the final evaluation (internally) that one must utilize to cull out unacceptable breeding stock. We utilized multiple beef cattle specialist, a local multi-generation seed stock producer and a product development specialist from Tarter to talk about the facilities needed to perform these health checks. 

With over 80 producers in attendance, we had individuals of all knowledge levels so the quantity and quality of questions at each station allowed for several very good conversations between the specialist and other producers about what works and what doesn’t and why. Several producers commented that the information presented was the most valuable information they have ever received at an extension program. One producer noted that knowing the simplicity of basic pelvic measurements and tail head bleeding would save his farm thousands of dollars each year on vet bills alone.