By Blake Jackson
The southwestern Missouri spring Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage.
The event will feature approximately 200 fall-calving bred heifers certified through the Show-Me-Select (SMS) program, representing 12 different consignors.
“The Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program provides education to cattle producers on heifer development strategies, specifically in management, reproduction, and genetics,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.
The program is designed to help producers maintain a reliable supply of high-quality replacement heifers.
The heifers available for purchase include both purebred and crossbred animals. Breeds represented in the sale include Angus, Akaushi, Beefmaster, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Red Angus, and Simmental, along with various composites.
Coat colors range from black and red to black or red with white faces. Crossbred heifers are especially valued for hybrid vigor, often resulting in improved longevity and productivity compared to purebreds.
“Many sale heifers have been artificially inseminated (AI) and carrying offspring from a high-accuracy AI sire,” says Davis. He notes that selecting AI-bred heifers can offer buyers better predictability in offspring performance and more precise calving timelines.
“Additionally, knowing the exact service date can improve the accuracy of calving dates, making preparation for the calving season easier.”
For more details, interested buyers can contact local MU Extension livestock specialists at 417-276-3313 or davismp@missouri.edu. Contact the Joplin Regional Stockyards at 417-548-2333 for bidding options.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle