Show-Me-Select bred heifers to sell on Nov. 21 in Joplin event

Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, remains optimistic about the first of five fall sales of Show-Me-Select replacement heifers, set for 7 p.m., Nov. 21 at Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage.

"I'm still hoping we can top $1,250 for average price, maybe hit $1,300," said Cole. "We were spoiled with the spring heifer sale, which averaged over $1,500. The slowdown in the economy may prevent the fall sale from reaching that peak."

The bred heifers, guaranteed pregnant when sold, are from a yearlong heifer management program overseen by MU Extension specialists. The heifers are bred to sires with high accuracy on calving ease in the top one-third of their breed.

Copies of the sale catalog are available from Cole at (417) 466-3102, at any MU Extension center, or online at http://extension.missouri.edu/lawrence/Lawrence/smspre-salecat.F08.pdf.

The number of heifers consigned this fall is up, with 320 head from 20 producers in the catalog.

"About three-fourths of the heifers are Angus or Angus-cross, with a fair number of red heifers this year," Cole said. "More of the heifers than usual are bred by artificial insemination."

The program involves appropriate immunizations, testing for brucellosis and persistently infected BVD animals, pelvic measurements, use of sire with EPDs indicating calving ease and two pregnancy checks that aid in predicting calving dates.

Livestock graders from the Missouri Department of Agriculture inspect the heifers as they arrive at the sale barn. Heifers that do not meet the standards of the sale are sent home.

The program, which has operated in the state for 12 years, is now overseen by a private group of producers as a nonprofit organization.

"These heifers are mostly developed on fescue so they are adapted to forages and weather conditions in the area. Pregnancy checks indicate a few heifers will calve in late January with most calving in February to mid-March. All will calve by April 30," said Cole.

More information about the Show-Me-Select program can be found online at http://

agebb.missouri.edu/select.