Nov. 21 Show-Me-Select Sale Offers 275 High-Quality Spring-Calving Heifers

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION

STOCKTON, MISSOURI

“The Missouri Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program educates cattle producers on heifer development strategies in the areas of management, reproduction and genetics to create a reliable source of quality replacement heifers,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. The fall sale for program participants in SW Missouri will be 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Joplin Regional Stockyards near Carthage. About 275 spring-calving (late January to April) SMS-certified bred heifers from 13 consignors will be for sale.

“These commercial bred heifers are either purebred or crossbred,” says Davis. Breeds represented in this sale include Angus, Akaushi, Beefmaster, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental, Ultrablack and composites of these breeds. Heifer color patterns are black, black/white face, red and red/white face. Many of the heifers are crossbreds, providing with a production boost from hybrid vigor. Research consistently shows crossbred females have more longevity, providing one extra calf in their lifetime compared to a purebred cow, Davis says.

“Many of the heifers have been artificially inseminated (AI) and carrying a pregnancy from a high-accuracy AI sire,” he says. Davis urges cattle producers to buy heifers carrying AI pregnancies from high-accuracy sires because this gives more knowledge on how their progeny will perform. It also helps in choosing replacement heifers that will produce progeny to help the cattle operation’s bottom line.

For information about the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program,  or contact one of the MU Extension livestock specialists below:

• Patrick Davis, 417-276-3313, 
• Andy McCorkill, 417-345-7551, 
• Ian McGregor, 417-466-3102, 

For information about online bidding through DVAuction or new in-person bidding, contact Joplin Regional Stockyards at 417-548-2333.