Show-Me-Select bred heifers average $2,083 at Kingsville sale

KINGSVILLE, Mo. – With a bright beef price outlook, bidding for bred replacement heifers was strong at the 15th annual Show-Me-Select sale at Kingsville Livestock Auction, Nov. 30.

The 291 heifers, sold in 97 lots, averaged $2,083 per head, according to David Hoffman, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, Harrisonville, Mo.

“Bidding was strong top to bottom,” Hoffman said.

The heifers from 18 consignors came from farm herds enrolled in the MU Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. The educational program promotes proven genetics and heifer management. First emphasis is on calving-ease genetics from high-accuracy proven sires. The aim is to reduce death loss and reduce labor at calving time.

Top prices of $2,400 and higher went to 23 heifers in nine lots. Of those, 20 were bred by artificial insemination and three by natural service.

Only four heifers in two lots brought less than $1,800. Those were bred natural service.

Lane Donnohue, age 11, of Appleton City, received top price for a heifer at $2,650. He had come to the sale last year with his dad, Chris Donnohue. Then he decided to become a Show-Me-Select producer. His dad agreed—if he would do the work. He did.

Lane said he plans to raise three heifers next year.

Howard Early, Leeton, Mo., consignor and president of the Missouri Show-Me-Select state organization, said, “We like to see young producers get a good start.”

Last year the Kingsville sale averaged $1,953 for 287 head.

This year, 54 lots of heifers were bred AI, while 43 lots were bred natural service, Hoffman told bidders at start of the auction.

AI offers more high-accuracy sires to select from. Bulls can be selected on the proven records of their offspring, Hoffman tells producers in the SMS program.

Consignors guarantee the bred heifers to be safe in calf, Hoffman said. The heifers were checked for pregnancy by veterinarians. The exams affirm whether the calf is AI or natural-service sired.

All are sold with an expected calving date. Those bred fixed-time artificial insemination will have a narrower calving window.

All heifers are examined on arrival at the sale barn by graders from USDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture for condition and conformation.

The sales are organized by local consignors. The West Central Missouri group added one more qualification. All heifers received one-shot immunity scour vaccine in addition to state requirements.

Other fall sales:

• Dec. 7, 1 p.m., Fruitland (Mo.) Livestock Sales.
• Dec. 14, 12:30 p.m., F&T Livestock Market, Palmyra, Mo.
• Dec. 21, 1 p.m., Green City (Mo.) Livestock Marketing.

Sale details are on the Internet at agebb.missouri.edu/select/.