Seedstock Producer

• These producers are focused on producing bulls, heifers, semen, and ova that meet the needs of every segment of the beef industry, including operations that want to maximize pre-weaning traits, post-weaning terminal traits, and maternal traits.
• These producers are often passionately attached to a specific breed and even bloodlines within breeds.
• Profit is not the only motivator and may not even be the biggest motivator for these producers.
• Recognition and respect from peers and customers are also highly coveted in this segment of the industry.
• Marketing skill is among the hallmarks of successful seedstock producers.

Customer Service Programs
The commercial customers of a seedstock producer are continually expecting more in regards to customer service. It is important to learn about opportunities for seedstock producers to help their customers capture more value for their calves, thereby increasing the value of the seedstock operations genetics. Most of the work is done through market facilitation, regardless of seedstock size.

1) Breed sanctioned feeder calf and replacement heifer sales or listings

2) Alliance Programs

The following links are beef cattle marketing alliance listings that have been
developed by popular beef magazines. These links include contact information
and required practices for the alliance groups.

3) Seedstock operation purchase of customer calves or retained ownership/partnership feeding programs

4) Coordination of pooling customer calves for marketing

5) Host special feeder cattle sales at local auction markets with appropriate advertising, promotion, and sorting to add value to customers’ calves.

6) Host commercial replacement female sale in conjunction with seedstock operation event (production sale, field day, etc.)

7) Market facilitator providing contacts between buyers (feedyards, stockers, and the commercial producer)

Marketing Cattle Not Selected for Breeding Purposes
The information contained in the Profit Motivated, Individualist and Profit Motivated, Group Oriented pages is useful information that would apply to cattle not selected for breeding purposes. Use these links to learn more about marketing these cattle.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) Analysis
The University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Beef Focus Team has developed a SWOT Analysis that pertains to seedstock producers in the state of Missouri. Use the following link to download the document

For any comments or questions concerning this website, please contact:
Vern Pierce, Beef and Dairy Economist
Joe Horner, Beef and Dairy Economist