|
|
Geisert named superintendent of MU Thompson FarmMissouri Rod Geisert, of Columbia, has been named superintendent of the University of Missouri Thompson Farm, a part of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Geisert, director of the MU Division of Animal Sciences, will provide leadership for research at the farm in Grundy County from his office on the MU campus. The decision was announced by Marc Linit, associate dean for research and extension in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "One of our goals is to make this a real 'Center of Excellence' for agricultural research, particularly for the cow-calf producers of the state," Geisert said. "There are lots of opportunities here." Geisert, a native of Nebraska, earned two degrees at the University of Nebraska before getting a doctorate degree at the University of Florida. He was at Oklahoma State University for 24 years before coming to Missouri in 2006. His teaching and research are in animal reproduction. Farm manager David McAtee of Trenton, Mo., and herdsman Jon Schreffler of Princeton, Mo., will continue in their positions at Thompson Farm. They are assisted by farm worker Dennis Hamilton of Modena, Mo. The farm has attracted national attention for research by David Patterson, MU professor of reproductive physiology and state extension beef specialist. This research on fixed-time artificial insemination protocols for beef herds has proven that all cows and heifers in a beef herd can be artificially inseminated by appointment on the same day. The technique saves labor and allows use of superior genetics from proven sires. The results are more uniform calf crops that buyers prefer. Also, research on developing heifers at Thompson Farm led to the Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program, a statewide program to help Missouri beef producers increase production efficiency. Patterson brought the idea to Missouri in 1996 when he moved from the University of Kentucky. Over the last seven years, Patterson, in collaboration with Mike Smith, MU professor, has received $1,064,792 through the USDA National Research Initiative Cooperative Grants Program. The integrated grants will extend findings from Thompson Farm to farms across the state and nation. Combining research, extension and teaching, the grants support work of practical use for farmers. Animal science and veterinary students will benefit from the latest teaching in breeding technology. Part of the grant will extend information on breeding practices to veterinarians. Regional MU Extension livestock specialists also will be trained. "I will be superintendent not just of animal science, but for all research," Geisert said. "We want to involve more researchers at Thompson Farm to develop forage systems for beef herds. "There is great research underway at the farm, but we can do more," Geisert said. "This can become a national center in the beef cattle industry." The farm has an advisory board of area beef producers led by George Gates of Bethany, Mo., and Phil Hoffman, Trenton. "I want to work with the farmers to move forward in ways that they would like to see," Geisert said. One of his first goals is to form a committee of scientists to assure quality research at the farm. George Drury, a Grundy County resident, donated the 1,600-acre farm to the University in 1956 to honor his in-laws. A research barn on the farm is named in his honor. The rolling upland acreage has been kept in grasslands. Some 590 acres of the farm in the Thompson River bottom are cash-rented on bid. This income helps fund research, as all outlying farms in the Experiment Station must be self-supporting. The farm was known since early days for quality cattle finished for market. Thompson Farm held cattle drives to move fat cattle to a stockyard on a railroad siding in Spickard. The cattle were sold in Chicago. Today the farm has a herd of 240 cows and 100 replacement heifers, mostly of Angus breeding. Early research at the farm by Dr. John Lasley, MU professor, showed the value of heterosis, or hybrid vigor, from crossbreeding cattle. Over time, the herd was crossbred from Hereford to become predominantly Angus. 4/14/08 Date: 4/24/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
