Recently I was visiting with a producer and we were talking about the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. During our conversation, we both agreed we have some excellent cattle raised and developed in our state. His statement, “look at the quality of feeder cattle we raise,” this reflects on the quality of cattle raised in our area. The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program works with beef producers in developing and/or acquiring heifers that have followed and met the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer guidelines. Another comment the producer made was “we have significantly improved our herds over the last twenty years.” Part of this improvement comes from developing good replacement heifers that will be productive cows over the long haul.

On Saturday, December 1, 2007, nine consignors from North Central and Northwest Missouri offered 148 head of Show-Me-Select replacement heifers for sale at the Green City Livestock Market in Green City, Missouri. These 148 head of heifers were sold in 39 lots with an average selling price of $1,365 per head. The top lot sold for $1,750/heifer (five head of commercial angus heifers, half sisters and bred AI to angus bulls that were in the top 5% of the angus breed for calving ease). Overall, AI (Artificial Inseminated) bred heifers sold for an average of $1,362/head, while natural bred heifers sold for an average of $1,247/head, and mixed AI and natural bred lots sold for $1,675/head. Heifers by breed were three head of Simmental-Angus cross heifers sold for $1,600, four head of registered Angus heifers sold for $1,525, five head of Maine-Angus cross heifers sold for $1,455, one Gelbvieh heifer sold for $1,300, and 135 head of Angus or Angus cross heifers sold for average an of $1,352. We had 128 heifers average $1,371 that where scheduled to start calving in February, 18 heifers average $1,319 that where scheduled to calve in March, and two heifers averaged $1,350 that were scheduled to calve in April. All 148 heifers were sold to buyers from Missouri.

If you are interested in learning more about the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program or would like to participate in the 2008 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program, contact the livestock specialist in your area or Chris Zumbrunnen, Sullivan County Extension Center, (660)265-4541 zumbrunnenc@missouri.edu; or Jim Humphrey, Andrew County Extension Center, (816)324-3147 humphreyjr@missouri.edu. Missouri’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program is a cooperative effort between Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers, LLC; participating producers; and University of Missouri Extension.

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Some basics on milk replacers –by Jim Humphrey, Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Andrew County

Most producers are not thrilled with feeding milk replacers. With the exception of dairy operations, this usually is a sign something did not go as planned. With that in mind, milk replacers come in a wide range of protein and fat content. The type and quality of ingredients that determine the protein and fat content of milk replacers can also vary considerably. Protein is typically the most expensive ingredient. Protein derived from milk products are typically more digestible and readily available to the young calf versus protein derived from plant products. Suggested nutrient content of milk replacers is minimum 20% crude protein and 20% fat for calves up to two months of age. The high fat content is especially needed during the cold and wet times of the year. If the appropriate amount of energy is not supplied, the calf must utilize the fat stores it has for energy. Fat deposits in young calves are minimal and once they are used up the calf can become further stressed and more susceptible to disease and weight loss. Remember to do your homework and compare feed tags, the milk replacer that is less expensive may end up being the most costly if adequate levels of digestible nutrients are not supplied.

References: Barry Steevens, MU Extension State Dairy Specialist and Feeding the Newborn Dairy Calf, Publication CAT UD013.