MOBeef Update

We held our fourth beef specific Lunch and Learn program at Pinegar Limousin (Pinegar Land and Cattle), Springfield, MO last Friday. Ed Pinegar, owner, and Ty and Susie Heavin, farm managers, were excellent hosts! The program was held in their sale barn, decorated with flags and other red, white and blue decorations pointing toward the 4th of July! Guests were treated to Ed’s thoughts about the industry, and specifically his experience in the purebred business. I really enjoyed his insight and the way he expressed himself in analogies. Here’s a great example: Ed visited about why they raise Limousin cattle, noting that Limousin cattle tend to excel in muscle volume, cutability and leanness. He noted that other breeds have unique characteristics that they excel in that often complement Limousin cattle and vice versa. That led to a discussion about LimFlex cattle, which he said they are working on as well, noting the hybrid vigor that is gained. According to Ed, “The value of LimFlex is that they are like owning a one-ton dually pickup that gets forty miles to the gallon!” Now that’s a powerful combination this day and age!

I’m glad we have such good producers here in Missouri like Ed Pinegar, Dave Gust, Chris Derks and Steve Willard who are willing to open up their farms and ranches to let non-agricultural folks come and learn. I truly believe that those of us in agriculture learn just as much as those we hope to teach!