Group helps improve Iowa, Missouri beef herds
MISSOURI - Cattle producers in southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri have had the opportunity to add value to their calves for 10 years.
3 January 2007
1 minute read
The Iowa Missouri Beef Improvement Organization (IMBIO) was founded in 1995 by Bloomfield, Iowa, livestock market owner Phil Schooley to help promote and market verifiable quality feeder calves and continue to be on the cutting edge of the beef business.
Schooley said they add value to calves for smaller producers. Calves are brought to the sale barn the day prior to the sale where they are sorted by color, sex and size. "By doing this sorting the buyers can know what they are getting. They'll know if there is a pot load of black steers or half a pot of red steers and can fill lots accordingly," he said.
He explained all aspects of the industry benefit from this program. The cow-calf producer receives added value to their calf crop. The feeder receives cattle that have good health, good performance and growth, are weaned and should have good carcass merit. The packer receives cattle that are sources and age verified for export and should have good grade and yield.
"We believe that it costs a little more to have a better quality product," said Schooley.
Davis County, Iowa producer Rod Lynch has been involved with IMBIO from the beginning and said that the guidelines have helped improve his herd drastically.
Source:High Plains Journal
