Consignment for Southwest Missouri "Show-Me-Select" Bred Heifer Sale May 16, 2008

Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale Produces Surprises

"It's always better to be pleasantly surprised than to be sadly disappointed," said Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, following the outstanding Show-Me-Select bred heifer sale May 16 at Joplin Regional Stockyards. The 123 head of commercial heifers produced a lofty $1521 average which bested the previous high of $1429 that came in the November 2008 sale at Joplin.

"Maybe it was the economic stimulus payment that the buyers invested in heifers which drove the prices much higher than expected," he joked. As the fuel, fertilizer and feed prices moved up, the expectations for the sale average had slipped down to the mid-$1200 range before the sale. However, much to everyone's surprise, the small crowd kept bidding and pushed it well beyond that level. Only 37 persons had picked up buyer numbers.

The top price of the evening was $2300 for two different lots of heifers consigned by Ladd Ranches, Sparta. One lot of 6 head was bought by Herbert Hodges, Clever. The other 6-head lots successful bidder was Jason Rousselot, Wagoner, OK. Each of these buyers had purchased Ladd heifers previously. Overall, the Ladds sold 41 head for an average price of $1796 which was the high average for the 8 consignors.

The Ladd heifers will calve at 30 months of age. They are sired by Angus bulls with their dams a Hereford-Brahman cross. Twenty-five of their 41 heifers were bred artificially. Comparing AI to natural service bred heifer's prices, the specialist points out that the AI'd heifers brought $353 more per head. Typically, the difference has been about $100 per heifer.

Kleiboeker Farms, Wentworth was close behind the top prices with 18 head selling for a strong $1600 average. Seventeen of their heifers were Bred AI. They were high percentage Angus with a touch of Simmental.

John and Janet Massey, Aurora have consigned heifers the each of the 18 sales. Their 13 head consignment averaged $1413. They did have one lot of 3 head that qualified for the next level of Show-Me-Select heifers with the designation of Tier Two. This means they were sired for a bull that qualified for that status based on his expected progeny difference (EPD) accuracies for calving ease, both direct and maternal, weaning weight, carcass weight and marbling. These three heifers were sired by the Angus bull, Genetics by Design 049. They sold for $1600 to Scott Casey, El Dorado Springs.

The volume buyer at the sale was Frank Hilton, Ozark who took home 20 head. Close behind was Rousselot with 16 heifers. Among the 14 buyers, 10 were repeat buyers and they accounted for buying 94 head.

Cole said that two strong sales in a row may stimulate more interest in participants for the value-added, Show-Me-Select program. "It does take time, and record keeping, but buyers love the heifers and obviously there are buyers that feel it's paying them to invest in the heifers. We just need more folks willing to go that extra step."

The next sale of SMS bred heifers at Joplin Regional will be November 21.

For more details on the program contact your University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist.