Some record high prices marked the spring sales of Show-Me-Select bred heifers. The combined gross amount from the five regional sales was $2,321,900 for 602 bred heifers.

University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program takes nearly a year to complete. Heifers undergo an examination usually four to eight weeks before breeding. This exam includes a pelvic measurement, reproductive tract score and weight. Heifers may be bred artificially or exposed to natural service; however, the service sires must meet specific calving-ease expected progeny difference (EPD) requirements based on breed.

The May 2 sale at the Southeast Missouri Livestock Sales in Fruitland sold 85 Show-Me bred heifers for an average of $3,745 per head.

The May 9 sale at the Farmington Regional Stockyards in Farmington sold 153 head for an average of $3,689.

The May 16 sale at the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage sold for an average of $4,010, a record average price achieved when eight consignors sold 124 heifers. Gross sales were $497,240, which was similar to the November 2018 sale in which 311 heifers sold for an average price of $1,586 per heifer, resulting in $493,400 in gross sales. The November 2018 sale sold 2.5 times more heifers to get similar gross sales to the current sale.

The May 17 sale at the South Central Regional Stockyards in Vienna sold 58 for an average $3,917 per head.

The final spring sale, June 7 at F&T Livestock Market in Palmyra, had 182 bred heifers selling for an average $3,926 per head.

“Show-Me-Select helps us consistently produce and market top-quality replacement heifers,” said Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist. “These record-setting sales reflect producer commitment to quality and the value of science-based heifer development. The Show-Me-Select program continues to raise the bar for reproductive management and herd genetics in Missouri and beyond.”

A longtime sale consignor and SMS program participant calls Show-Me-Select a great program that is helpful in selecting quality replacement heifers that can be retained or marketed through the program.