|
Feedout 2019
ELDON COLE
MT. VERNON, MO.
The deadline for signing up for the fall steer feedout is May 10. Calves must be born after July 1, 2018 and there must be at least 5 head in the group. There’s lots of talk and news items about building your herd’s resume’ for excellence. Well, here’s your chance to see if your steers perform in the feedlot and in the carcass well enough to merit notable comments from the auctioneer.
Here are a few key points to remember about the Missouri Steer Feedout.
• On June 4 when steers are picked up at Paris Veterinary Clinic and Joplin Regional Stockyards they should weigh at least 550 lbs.
• They should be weaned by April 20.
• The larger your cow number, the more calves you need to obtain meaningful herd comparison.
• Study and follow the vaccination protocol and do not send steers that have suffered health issues during their lives.
• Sire identity is helpful if you have 5 to 10 head per sire.
• Entry fee is $20 per head due by May 10. No added money is required as all other expenses will be deducted from your steer’s carcass proceeds.
• Do not implant at or near weaning.
• Keep calves growing after weaning but don’t strive for high gains, save that for the Iowa feedlot.
• Select steers that represent the average of your herd rather than what you think are your outstanding steers.
• Remember, there are a lot of “average” cattle in our herds. Here’s a chance to see if your cattle’s genetic makeup deserves a premium or a discount or do they fall into the average, commodity category. ∆
ELDON COLE: Extension Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri
|
|