Show-Me-Select sale in tune with the times

The 35th Show-Me-Select Bred Heifer Sale had a $1651 average on 364 heifers Nov. 18 at Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage.

The price range varied from $1100 to $2050 according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

The most active bidding was done on 55 head of Red Angus heifers consigned by Circle S Chicks, Stark City.  They had a co-top of $2050 with an average of $1970.

Also at $2050 were six head of black baldies sold by John Wheeler, Marionville, and bought by Scott Casey, El Dorado Springs.  The top lot from Circle S Chicks sold to Billy Ray Mainer, Branch, AR.

“The Circle S Chicks heifers had been genomically tested and sold based on their relative merit from the tests. This testing qualified them to be labeled as Show-Me-Select Plus,” said Coe.

They were sold in five drafts of 11 head each.  The genomic test breaks had docility, marbling, stayability, high indexing and a group that ranked favorably in both daily gain and docility.

Repeat buyers were numerous with 19 taking home 183 head.

The volume (and repeat) buyer was James Miller, Garnett, KS, who selected 33 of the Circle S Chicks heifers at $1933. Close behind with 30 head was Chris Keeling, Purdy.  His selections were from five different consignors and the average price was $1408.

The breed/color makeup of the sale included 47 percent blacks with many Angus crosses, 27 percent were black baldy and mottle faced.  Twenty-four percent were red and red baldies with two percent white or grays.

Only eight heifers in the entire offering were eligible for registration.

Sixty percent of the heifers were called as being pregnant to the artificial insemination service.  They sold for an average of $1704.  The balance of the heifers averaged $1573 which was $131 behind the AI-breds.

The Show-Me-Select program is for Missouri consignors and it involves developing heifers from weaning to late second to third period pregnancy.  The program is a cooperative effort of University of Missouri Extension, local veterinarians, several livestock markets and the Missouri Department of Agriculture market news reporters.

Checks and balances during this nearly 12-month development period help the producers to use technology and third-party verification to add value to replacement females.  The program has been widely adopted across the state which has helped it achieve the objectives as follows: (1) implement a total quality management strategy; (2) enhance marketing opportunities for Missouri-raised heifers and add value; (3) provide a reliable source of replacements based on management, reproduction and genetics.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Lawrence County, (417) 466-3102; Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551; Dr. Randy Wiedmeier, in Douglas County at (417) 679-3525; or Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313.