Animal Science Faculty

Bob Weaber

Assistant Professor

Extension - Beef Cattle Genetics

S134A Animal Science Research Center
Division Of Animal Sciences
Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: (573) 882-5479
FAX: (573) 884-4545
Email
Curriculum Vitae

General Extension Focus

Dr. Weaber’s extension responsibilities include the development of an innovative beef cattle production educational program focused on genetics. This state-wide effort includes development and delivery of educational programs to seed-stock and commercial beef producers to broaden the use and understanding of genetic selection tools (EPDs, DNA markers and selection indexes) available as well as performance data collection schemes and methods on which they are built. Further, he aims to expand the use of structured cross-breeding systems that create environmentally adapted females and high quality market, targeted calves. Educational programs include ongoing training of regional livestock specialists and interaction with producers through a variety of media including face-to-face presentations, online seminars, interactive television and farm visits. Dr. Weaber provides genetics expertise, consultation and programmatic leadership to both the Premier Beef Program through involvement with the Commercial Ag. Beef Focus Team and to the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. Dr. Weaber is also instrumental in the leadership and delivery of national extension and outreach programs in the area of beef cattle genetics through his involvement in the Beef Improvement Federation, the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium, and eXtension’s Beef Cattle Clearinghouse Community of Practice.

Goals and Objectives

Develop beef production and genetics extension programming and applied research that enhances the profitability and sustainability of Missouri beef producers through a value chain systems approach that leverages enhanced management practices at multiple marketing points throughout the beef complex.
Encourage and support the adoption of structured crossbreeding systems that leverage heterosis and breed complementarity to produce environmentally adapted females and market targeted, value-added progeny.
Show-Me Master Cattlemen Program: Complete development and deploy a statewide educational program for beef producers that includes up to date information on beef nutrition, forage management, reproduction, genetics (crossbreeding, sire selection, EPDs, DNA markers), animal health, economics, marketing, and business planning.

Future Direction

Evaluation of whole genome selection and development of a model for beef industry implementation.
Completion of the Show-Me Master Cattlemen Curriculum
- A. Train-the-trainer resources
- B. Presentation materials for use by regional and state specialists
- C. Master Cattlemen Resource Manual
- D. Online modules
Development of additional value-added strategies for Show-Me-Select herds
- A. Phenotypic record collection
- B. Genetic Evaluation system
- C. Implementation of structured crossbreeding systems
Development of named program to aid producers in capture additional value of feeder steers and heifers that are Age, Source, Process and Genetically Verified.