CAFNR Reflects On Death Of Longtime Livestock Specialist

Livestock producers and ag educators across Missouri are reflecting on the decades of service given by longtime University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole, who died Sunday at the age of 81.  Among those paying tribute was Doctor Christoper Daubert, dean of MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Cole began his career at the University of Missouri in 1964 at the Saline County Extension office in Marshall.  He would transfer to the Southwest Research Center outside Mount Vernon in 1968, where he would become the region’s point of reference for livestock nutrition.  Cole also played a key role in launching the Show-Me Select Replacement Heifer program.

An informal memorial service for 81-year-old Eldon Cole of Mount Vernon will take place Friday evening from 5 to 8 at the Southwest Research Extension and Education Center.  His funeral will be Saturday morning at 11 at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home.  Inurnment will take place in June.

Memorials are suggested to either the church, the MU Southwest Research Extension and Education Center, the MU Livestock Judging Team, or the Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association scholarship fund.