The Beef Cattle Program

The current beef herd consists of 25 registered purebred and fullblood Gelbvieh cattle calving in the spring of each year and approximately 15 Balancer females (Gelbvieh X Angus) that calve in the fall.  Artificial insemination and embryo transfer are used in herd development in conjunction with clean-up bulls. Weaned female calves are selected for replacements for the University herd with the remaining heifers marketed through private treaty and consignment sales.  Select bulls are raised for sale with excess males marketed as weaned steers twice a year.  Cattle sold off the farm are prepared, exhibited and marketed by student showmen (see the Beef Cattle Show Team page for more information).

Both herds of cattle (spring and fall) are utilized extensively by faculty and undergraduates for research projects and classroom/laboratory instruction.  Many of these projects have been externally funded and have resulted in refereed journal articles and popular press articles as well as presentations at local and national scientific meetings.  University bred cattle have enjoyed acceptance by a wide range of buyers in various states and Canada and have had modestly good success in the showring.  Direction for the program is provided by Dr. Glenn Wehner and all work is carried out by undergraduate students under the direction of the Farm Manager, Bill Kuntz.  Numerous opportunities for hands-on learning are afforded to interested students.  For more information about the beef cattle program, contact Dr. Glenn Wehner at gwehner@truman.edu.