West Central Missouri "Show-Me-Select" Heifer Sale

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Your investment in Show-Me-Select replacement heifers signifies a commitment to improving the genetic quality and reproductive efficiency of your beef herd. Replacement heifers require specialized care and management until they enter the breeding herd as mature cows. To protect your investment, you may find the following guidelines helpful.

Targets
At the time of purchase, your heifers will weigh approximately 75 to 80% of their mature weight with a minimum body condition score of 5.

• Heifers should reach 85% of their mature weight by first calving.
• Heifers should calve and begin lactating at a body condition score of 6.
• In order to reach these targets on schedule, heifer should be fed to gain between 0.5 to 0.75 lbs. per day minimum from now until calving.

Nutritional Management from Purchase to First Calving
Heifers are entering the final trimester of pregnancy, when majority of fetal growth occurs. To ensure heifers enter calving season at the proper target weight and body condition several things are required.

• Heifers should be maintained separately from older animals if at all possible. This is necessary to minimize undesirable social interactions at the feed bunk, water tank, and mineral feeder.
• Diets should meet certain nutritional standards. Crude protein of the diet should be 12.5 to 13%. Net energy for maintenance and gain should be approximately 0.65 and 0.32 Mcal/lb., respectively. These energy levels are roughly equal to 60% dietary TDN.
• Good quality trace mineral and vitamin supplement should be made available and can be offered free choice or mixed with another component of the diet.
• Body condition of heifers should be monitored. Heifers should not lose or gain more than 1 body condition score from now until calving. A change in 1 body condition score reflects a net weight gain or lose of approximately 80 pounds.

In many cases, hay will not allow acceptable performance during the fall and winter. Proper supplementation of trace minerals and vitamins remain a critical feature of management during this period, but energy deficiencies are more likely to create problems with re- breeding. Body condition must be monitored to determine if supplemental feeding is necessary. Failure to provide supplemental energy, if needed, can delay the onset of cycling, lengthen the time from calving to 1st heat post calving and potentially result in decreased pregnancy rates. Examples of energy supplements suitable for heifers during early lactation include: high-quality forages, cracked corn, soybean hulls, or corn gluten feed fed at varying amounts according to condition and weight gain desired. Proper pre- and post-calving nutritional management of your "Show-Me-Select" replacement heifers should ensure a successful re-breeding. Consult your local University Extension Livestock Specialist and/or veterinarian for nutritional consulting should you have any questions.