Bidding was fast in the first two-thirds of the sale of Show-Me-Select Replacement heifers at the Fruitland Livestock Auction on May 1, 2010.
Early in the sale, the bred heifers were selling for $1,500 to $1,850 per head. The final average for 188 head was $1,328.
David Patterson, University of Missouri Extension beef reproduction specialist, said that six states are working to copy the Show-Me-Select program. However, Missouri remains the only one with a statewide educational program.
Heifers in the program are enrolled in a yearlong heifer development program overseen by MU Extension specialists. All are scored for reproductive tract development and measured for pelvic size before the breeding season.
Herd owners interested in raising replacement heifers can enroll with regional livestock specialists through their local county extension center.
Reviewed 2013-02-18