New and Upgraded MU Facilities Aim to Strengthen Missouri Agriculture
October 12, 2026
By Carah Hart
Filed Under: Missouri, News
Photo by Carah Hart, Brownfield Ag News.
The University of Missouri (MU) is expanding its ag research, education, and workforce development capabilities with four new and upgraded facilities.
That includes processing and equipment updates for Missouri Foundation Seed. Denny Mertz, a farmer from eastern Missouri and board member on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, which supports the program, notes the importance of farmer-funded research for introducing new traits and genetics into soybeans.
A complete renovation of Creed Barn, part of the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics at MU’s Beef Farm, features state-of-the-art handling equipment and a new lab. Mike Deering, Executive Vice President of Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, highlights the center’s support for the state’s cow-calf sector:
“We have some of the best seedstock producers in the world right here in Missouri, and this center is meant to ramp that up with quality genetics, making sure we’re on the cutting edge.”
Other additions include a new fermentation lab for the Grape and Wine Institute and the Michael L. Parson Meat Lab.
Chris Chinn, Missouri Ag Director, emphasizes the future-focused nature of these facilities:
“The work, the science, the research and education that’s going to be happening in all of these new facilities is going to ensure the next generation of ag leaders in Missouri have the tools they need to be successful into the future.”
MU President Mun Choi expresses pride in these efforts to strengthen Missouri agriculture’s productivity.
Ribbon cuttings for all four facilities were held at MU on Friday.
Listen to Brownfield’s interviews with:
- Denny Mertz, Missouri farmer and board member on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.
- Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.
- Chris Chinn, Missouri Ag Director.
- Mun Choi, President, University of Missouri.