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The University of Missouri’s livestock judging program has been a cornerstone in shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders for decades. Students begin their journey by enrolling in ANSCI 2115 (Livestock Judging), where they learn the fundamentals of comparative judging and evaluation. From there, they embark on a year-long stint with the MU Livestock Judging Team, gaining hands-on experience by participating in 10-15 competitions across the country.
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Since their launch in 2022, two University of Missouri Mobile Meat Labs have been transforming workforce development, meat science education and community engagement across the state. Experts with the MU Division of Animal Sciences use the mobile units to deliver hands-on demonstrations, industry discussions and certification courses. Each opportunity provided empowers students, butchers, meat processors and other professionals with the skills needed to strengthen Missouri’s meat industry.
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Missouri’s hog farming industry continues to decrease, with just over 2,200 farms remaining. Labor shortages and rising costs weigh heavily on producers, with estrus checks alone accounting for nearly 30% of labor expenses. This vital but time-intensive process ensures sows are artificially inseminated within the optimal window, leaving farmers under added pressure.
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The CAFNR Foundation is proud to celebrate another year of impactful contributions that drive innovation, education and collaboration across Missouri’s agriculture, food and natural resources sectors. This 2024 annual report showcases the impact The CAFNR Foundation had throughout the year and into 2025.
Articles showcased on this page were created while working for Crafted Communications, LLC.