Show-Me-Select Bred Heifers To Sell May 19
"I'll be selling May 19 at Joplin Regional Stockyards. I'm an Angus-Simmental cross I'm due to calve Sept. 2
at 24 months of age; I'm a tier Two heifer and have been genomically tested with the Igenity Silver
test which makes me a Show-Me Plus.
Photo credit: MU Extension
MT. VERNON, MO.
The 36th sale of Show-Me-Select bred heifers at Joplin Regional Stockyards will be May 19 beginning at 7 p.m.
The 23 consignors have entered 365 head of heifers that will begin calving in mid-August and conclude by Dec. 1. Most of the heifers will calve around 24 months of age and were bred to natural or AI sires that qualified as calving ease, based on expected progeny difference (EPD) and accuracy values.
The consignors represent a mix of veterans and first-timers. Eight have sold in 15 or more sales with five, first-time consignors. The breed makeup is dominated by black and black baldies with an increasing number of red heifers in the mix. Most are crossbreds that have been developed on fescue in a rotational grazing system.
The Show-Me-Select program was developed in 1997 to introduce Missouri cattle producers to technology that enhances reproduction, health, genetics and marketing.
In addition to cattlemen, the groups involved in the program include University of Missouri Extension, veterinarians, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifers, Inc. and several regional Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Associations.
Features offered with the heifers include: pelvic measured; PI-BVD tested and found negative; Brucellosis calfhood vaccinated; calving ease service sires; the majority were preg tested via ultrasound; an increasing number qualify as Tier Twos which means they were out of an AI sire that met EPD accuracy values and a number have been genomic tested.
Surveys of the buyers are taken after the calving season and responses are highly positive about the calving ease of the first-calf heifers. The most recent survey on heifers sold in the May 2016 sale had only four assisted births out of the 112 heifers that were reported on. That's a 3.6 percent rate.
“Buyers are also very candid if there is a problem. Anyone who has ever owned a cow knows there can be unusual problems. The high number of repeat buyers, sale after sale, indicates the quality of the heifers must be pretty solid,” said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
The May 19 heifer sale catalog is available now by calling 417-466-3102. You may also go on-line to http://swmobcia.com/ to view it. On the 19th the sale may be viewed live and bids made on DV Auction as well as in person at Joplin Regional Stockyards. ∆