Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, suggests that anyone interested in adding to their cattle herd should consider the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. The southwestern Missouri Sale 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Joplin Regional Stockyards, 10131 Cimarron Road, Carthage. About 170 commercial fall-calving SMS-certified bred heifers will be available.
“These commercial bred heifers are either purebred or crossbred,” says Davis. Breeds include Angus, Akaushi, Beefmaster, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental and various composites. Colors range from black, black/white face, red, to red/white face. Crossbred heifers, benefiting from hybrid vigor, typically have more longevity and produce one more calf on average than purebreds.
“An SMS heifer is a sound, blemish-free bred heifer sold in optimum condition,” he says. These heifers are managed from weaning to sale through a research-based program, supporting optimum health, growth and reproductive management. They are bred to bulls chosen for calving ease; some carry AI pregnancies, which offer greater predictability in progeny performance due to the accuracy of expected progeny difference information. Multiple pregnancy checks are conducted to confirm accurate calving dates. Davis advises using SMS heifers for herd rebuilding, as their structured development results in healthy, functional females that calve easily the first time and have long-term productivity potential.
Source : missouri.edu