Southwest Missouri "Show-Me-Select" Replacement Heifer Sale

The sale order is determined by consignors drawing for a position in the sale rotation. Each consignor selects those heifers to sell in each rotation. Heifers are sold in uniform lots, usually 3 to 8 per lot, sorted according to breed type, and size. All heifers in a lot are expected to calve within a 45-day period. Heifers become the property of the buyer immediately after the sale. Each animal will be at the buyers risk as soon as sold. The consignor will aid in the loading of the cattle on instructions from the buyer, but at the buyer’s risk. No cattle will be loaded until the conclusion of the sale. All financial transactions will be conducted by the sale agent and are to be fully completed before loading. Necessary health papers to go to any state will be available on all heifers after the sale.

All heifers are guaranteed bred and are guaranteed to remain pregnant for 30 days from the sale date. Calving dates are approximate. Females can range two weeks or more around a projected calving date even if they were A.I. bred on the same day. The consignor will refund the purchase price or replace the heifer with one of similar value if a heifer is found to be open within 30 days of the sale by a veterinarian. All guarantees are made by the consignor and not the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association or other organizations or individuals involved in the sale. In case the buyer and seller are unable to reach an agreement over a heifer, an arbitration committee can be asked to hear both sides and render a decision.

A special tag that carries the "Show-Me-Select"TM trademark and name identifies all heifers in the sale. This tag signifies that the heifers have met all the requirements of the Missouri "Show-Me-Select"TM replacement heifer program. Some heifers will carry a white Show-Me-Select tag. This identifies them as Tier Two heifers. Note a complete description of them in the requirements section of this catalog.

The sale committee and consignors wish to thank all those who have contributed to the success of this program. Your faith in our ability to make this program work is appreciated.

All heifers in this sale have been Brucellosis calfhood vaccinated in accordance with state and federal regulations. All heifers have a negative Brucellosis test within 30 days of the sale or come from a certified Brucellosis free herd. Necessary health papers will be available on all heifers after this sale. All heifers have been ear-notch tested for PI BVD and found negative.

Calves of Show-Me-Select Heifers are warranted to be free of genetic defects for a period of six (6) months from date of purchase. Heifers that give birth to an affected calf (exhibits the genetic defect), which is subsequently proven by diagnostic lab or DNA testing to be a genetic defect will have the full purchase price of the heifer plus the DNA testing charge refunded to the buyer by the seller. Please refer to the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Programs terms and conditions for complete guarantee details.

These requirements are designed to minimize the incidence and severity of calving difficulty and protect against potential reproductive losses. Heifers must be bred to service sires at or less than established birth weight EPD maximums, have a minimum pelvic area of 150 cm2 prebreeding or 180 cm2 at pregnancy examination, be a minimum body condition score of 5 and a maximum of 8 on sale day, and meet established health guidelines.

Bred Heifers:

Spring 2008:

• All heifers must be calfhood vaccinated for Brucellosis according to Missouri state regulations.
• Heifers are vaccinated for IBR, PI-3, BVD, BRSV, and 7-way Clostridia. Label directions concerning initial vaccination and boosters must be followed.
• Use of implants is discouraged. If heifers are implanted, only FDA approved products for replacement heifers are allowed according to label guidelines.
• Long-term use of MGA is prohibited. Use of MGA for periods up to 14 days to synchronize estrus is permitted.
• Internal and external parasites are controlled as needed.
• Heifers must be polled or de-horned and completely healed by sale day.

Fall 2008:

• Pre-breeding reproductive examination is performed.
• Reproductive tract scored, pelvic measurement, weighed.
• Heifers are vaccinated for IBR, BVD, Leptospirosis and Vibriosis between 60 and 30 days prior to beginning of breeding. All vaccinations must follow label directions.
• Internal and external parasites are controlled as needed.

Spring 2009:

• Heifers are pregnancy examined by 90 days to determine breeding dates. (Confirm AI pregnancy or natural service). A preg check is also done within 30 days of the sale.
• Heifers are treated for external and internal parasites within 30 days of sale date. Products for internal parasite control must have a label claim for all stages of the parasite life cycle.
• Leptospirosis (5-way) given at preg check.
• Heifers are examined on sale day by a final screening committee to eliminate blemishes. (scarred eyes, frozen ears, short tails, rat tails.) They must have a muscle score of at least a 2, a medium frame score, a body condition score of 5 through 8 and weigh at least 800 pounds and not have an undesirable disposition.

Heifers must be bred to bulls with birth weight or calving ease EPD's not greater than the guidelines for the following breeds based on the current genetic evaluation at the time of breeding for the respective breed associations. Accuracy values of 0.6 or better for birth weight and calving ease EPDs are required on AI sires:

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 85% 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, heifers should be fed to gain between 0.5 to 0.75 per day minimum from now until calving.

Nutritional Management from Purchase to First Calving
Gains of the desired magnitude can be a challenge during winter months. Additionally, heifers are then entering the final trimester of pregnancy when a 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 interaction at the feed bunk, water tank, and mineral feeder.
• Diets should meet certain nutritional standards. Crude protein of the diet should be 9 to 10%. Net energy for maintenance should be approximately 0.52 to 0.59 Mcal/lb. These energy levels are roughly equal to 55 to 60% dietary TDN.
• Good-quality trace mineral salt 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 loss of approximately 80 pounds.

Nutritional Management from Calving through Breeding
In many cases, pasture will allow acceptable performance during the spring and early summer. 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 rate. Examples of energy supplements suitable for heifers during early lactation include: high-quality forages, cracked corn, soybean hulls, dried distillers grains 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 heifer should ensure successful re-breeding. Consult your local university extension professional and/or veterinarian for nutritional counseling should you have any question.