The David M. Barton Agriculture Research Center at Southeast Missouri State University is a teaching asset designed for undergraduate research and education. Undergraduate students participate in all aspects of the beef herd management. The disciplines that are emphasized at the beef farm are reproductive physiology, genetics of food animal improvement, ruminant nutrition and beef production management. 

The herd is a cow-calf enterprise with all calves being marketed through specific programs.  Heifers are sold as bred heifers in the Show-Me-Select Bred Heifer Sale. The herd has the highest selling pen average and herd sale average. Steer calves are grown to harvest weight and sold on a beef quality grid marketing system with U. S. Premium Beef. The national average for choice plus calves is 53 percent.  Southeast Missouri State University averages 75 percent choice + quality grade. 

Presently the herd consists of 113 mature cows, six harvest lot heifers, 42 bred heifers, 104 fall 2005 born calves, and three herd bulls. Numbers are large enough to permit student undergraduate research projects.  Additionally, applied research is conducted in the ares of beef nutrition, beef reproduction, and forage management.

Teaching is not strictly related to beef production, the herd is a teaching asset also used to train students in  several aspects of management. Students are trained to plan the work and work the plan. It is not about beef it is about managing an asset in a working environment. 

Visit the Web site for the David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center

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