Cattle Reproductive Physiologist Coming to Chinook

 

January 23, 2019

Dr. Rick Funston, a Beef Reproductive Physiologist from Nebraska, will speak at the Eagles Club in Chinook on January 31.

In a collaborative effort, MSU Blaine County Extension, Chinook Veterinary Clinic, and Merck Animal Health are pleased to be bringing Dr. Rick Funston, a Beef Reproductive Physiologist Specialist, to North Central Montana. Area cattle producers are invited to the Chinook Eagles Club from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on January 31 for an evening that will include supper and a series of informational presentations. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Registration is necessary by January 25.

A former Montana Extension Agent and Montana Beef Cattle Specialist, Dr. Funston now works as a Reproductive Physiologist for the West Central Research and Extension Center at the University of Nebraska.

Not only a member of a nationally recognized beef systems research team, Dr. Funston has also conducted research on lighter heifer development. This research is receiving national attention and adoption. Additionally, his research on fetal programming effects on postnatal calf performance, including carcass characteristics and reproduction, has received national and international recognition.

In a collaborative effort, MSU Blaine County Extension, Chinook Veterinary Clinic, and Merck Animal Health are pleased to be bringing Dr. Rick Funston, a Beef Reproductive Physiologist Specialist, to North Central Montana. Area cattle producers are invited to the Chinook Eagles Club from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on January 31 for an evening that will include supper and a series of informational presentations. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Registration is necessary by January 25.

A former Montana Extension Agent and Montana Beef Cattle Specialist, Dr. Funston now works as a Reproductive Physiologist for the West Central Research and Extension Center at the University of Nebraska.

Not only a member of a nationally recognized beef systems research team, Dr. Funston has also conducted research on lighter heifer development. This research is receiving national attention and adoption. Additionally, his research on fetal programming effects on postnatal calf performance, including carcass characteristics and reproduction, has received national and international recognition.

In the extension capacity, Dr. Funston provides leadership and subject matter expertise for educational programs in cow-calf production management for the West Central District in Nebraska and statewide expertise in beef reproductive management programs.

According to Julianne Snedigar, Blaine County Ag Extension Agent, Dr. Funston is the go-to person in the industry right now concerning heifer development and re-breeding of the first-calf heifer. His presentation, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30, is titled "Increasing Production Efficiency: The Importance of Early Conception and Factors Influencing."

Although Dr. Funston will be the evening's keynote, he will be preceded by Dr. Thompson, who works with Merck Animal Health. Dr. Thompson will deliver his presentation during dinner.

Following Dr. Thompson, Dr. Lane Schmitt will present data he gathered during the Fall 2018 Preg Checking season, both on cows and heifers. He will provide a regional benchmark for total pregnancy rate and the percentage of cattle becoming pregnant in the first cycle of the breeding season. This will be representative of over 15,000 head that were entered into the system.

"Dr. Schmitt's data is from producers he has worked with this year. So, in addition to Blaine County producers, it might include Hill and Phillips County as well," Snedigar said.

Registration for this event will be required by January 25. Anyone seeking more information or wishing to register is encouraged to contact Snedigar at 357-3200 or julianne.snedigar@montana.edu.

 
 

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