COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two sales of bred heifers in one day start the fall season for Show-Me-Select Replacements. Sales on Nov. 17 are first of six. Those are Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage and Kirksville Livestock, LLC.
Kirksville starts at 6:30 p.m., while Carthage starts at 7 p.m.
The 37th southwestern Missouri sale has 367 crossbred and purebred heifers, says Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension specialist, Mount Vernon. The north-central sale, Kirksville, has 150 heifers, says Zac Erwin, MU Extension sale coordinator.
“The replacement heifers come from herds using the best management and genetics,” says David Patterson, MU Extension beef specialist. “Missouri leads all other states in quality heifers.” Buyers have come from 20 states.
Show-Me-Select protocols combine heifer management with breeding to top proven sires, Patterson says. “Last year, 91 percent of heifers enrolled were exposed to timed artificial insemination.”
Also, 78 percent were pregnancy-checked by ultrasound. “Accuracy of ultrasound improves diagnosis,” he adds. “That helps pinpoint calving dates.”
Calving ease, plus a short calving season, attracts buyers. “Those repeat buyers know what they are getting and they pay more,” Patterson says.
All heifers are guaranteed pregnant at the sale and for 30 days. Estimated calving dates are given. Buyers are advised to start checking a couple of weeks early. Calving-ease genetics can bring early births.
Fall-sale heifers calve in the spring. Spring sales have fall-calving heifers.
Heifers in the sales come from herd owners enrolled in the yearlong University of Missouri SMS program.
Other fall SMS sales are:
-Kingsville Livestock Auction, Nov. 25, 11 a.m.
-Fruitland Livestock Sales, Inc., Dec. 2, 11 a.m.
-Farmington Livestock Auction, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
-Palmyra, F&T Livestock Market, Dec. 9, 12 p.m.
Herd owners who want added value in their herds can contact their regional MU Extension specialist.
Only heifers wearing SMS ear tags are guaranteed. The SMS logo is an MU registered trademark.
The sales are more than cattle auctions, says Cole, Joplin sale manager. “They’re educational events for those thinking of improving their beef herds. Each sale has a free catalog with data on heifer genetics and management.
Coordinators of sales are Cole, 417-466-3102; Erwin, 660-665-9866; David Hoffman, 816-380-8460, Kingsville; Erin Larimore, 573-243-3581, Fruitland; Kendra Graham, 573-756-4539, Farmington; and Daniel Mallory, 573-985-3911, Palmyra.
Sales information is at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/show-me-select-replacement-heifer-program/replacement-heifer-regional-sales.