Missouri’s severe heat and drought resulting in livestock selloffs and slaughter

Sales of livestock are up because of the extreme heat and drought conditions Missouri has experienced this summer. 

Those conditions have also led to the slaughter of non-pregnant cows. 

Elizabeth Picking, with MU Extension, says a lot of Missouri farmers and ranchers have had to cull, or slaughter, their livestock because of poor crop and hay conditions.

Picking said:  “A lot of producers are selling off a lot of their animals and some are complete herd dispersals selling everything and either getting out for the time being or choosing to go a different path or retire.” 

The extreme heat has also resulted in decreased production due to heat stress.