Jefferson City, MO    Mon Dec 11, 2006     MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News

South Central Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale
West Plains MO- Ozarks Regional Stockyard    12/09/06

Receipts: 185  (Bred Heifers)

   Coordinated by Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifers, Inc., 
in cooperation with University Extension, Commercial Agriculture Program,
MU College of Veterinary Medicine, The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association 
and the Missouri Department of Agriculture/USDA.  All heifers in the sale
met minimum standards for reproductive soundness, pelvic size, body condition
and weight. They have also undergone a comprehensive health program, and were
guaranteed bred to easy calving  bulls. Projected calving dates were given for
all lots, with all heifers expected to calve from January 25th thru April 27th,
2007. The offering was screened for blemishes, muscle thickness, frame size,
Disposition and body condition score(BCS), by a screening committee consisting
of official graders from the Missouri Dept of Agriculture/USDA, then sorted into
lots according to calving dates and similar body types where permissible.  There
were 9 lots/14 percent of the heifers artificially bred, 63 lots/86 percent
natural bred.  The quality and condition of the offering, for the most part, was
good and consigned by 10 area producers and purchased by 24 different buyers.
The 72 lots averaged 1096 lbs and sold for a dollar average of l108.00 per head,
which would be 137.00 dollars less than the previous Sho-Me Select Fall Calving
Sale, held in mid-May of this year.  Demand moderate.  Trade opened rather slow
to near stand-still, but only temporarily.  However, one could sense a sigh of
relief, from the sellers corner, when buyers readily thawed out and began
flippin’ their cards, as the auction worked it’s way into the heart of the
consignments.

   Replacement Bred Heifers:  Large 1  few 1050-1240 lbs 1050.00-1275.00 per
head.  Large 1-2  1035-1315 lbs 1025.00-1225.00, pkg Red-Angus 1250 lbs 1310.00,
majority sales 1075.00-1200.00.  Large 2  1085-1485 lbs 975.00-1150.00.  Medium
and Large 1 few 935-1040 lbs 1000.00-1175.00.  Medium and Large 1-2 850-1150 lbs
1025.00-1150.00.  Medium and Large 2  930-1070 lbs 925.00-1075.00 per head.
Medium 1-2  few 840-975 lbs 985.00-1060.00.  Medium 2 indiv 840 lbs 850.00.

Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service 
        Dave Smith Reporter, 573-751-5618
        24 hour recorded report, 1-573-522-9244