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First Show-Me-Select heifer sale averages $1,069Bad economic news slows bidders in Carthage, Mo. Missouri A Show-Me Select replacement heifer sale averaged $1,069 per head on 297 bred heifers that are part of a University of Missouri Extension program. The sale, the first of five this fall, was at Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. A similar sale last fall averaged $1,427 on 174 head. The top lot of four heifers in the sale averaged $1,500 dollars per head for Ladd Ranches, Sparta, Mo. Another pen of five heifers from the Ladd family took second high at $1,475. On their 34 head total consignment, they averaged $1,265. John Wheeler a long-time consignor from Marionville, Mo., had two top lots averaging $1,350 and $1,300. His overall average on 37 head was $1,159. Kleiboeker Farms, Wentworth, Mo., that consigned heifers to the first sale in 1997, sold a top lot at an average of $1,335. Second high in consignment average was Don and Jamie Haase, Rocky Comfort, Mo., with $1,190 on two lots totaling five head. "Premium heifers from consignors with known reputations continue to sell well," said David Patterson, MU Extension state beef specialist. "Recent uncertainty in the economic outlook definitely affected the sale." "The continuing economic news lowered my optimism in the last couple of weeks," said Eldon Cole, MU Extension regional livestock specialist at Mount Vernon, Mo. The sale followed two days with a 10 percent drop in the stock market. Jackie Moore, auctioneer, said, "It would have been an entirely different story three weeks ago." The sale followed drops in both cow and feeder calf prices. Al Kennett, MU Extension livestock specialist and coordinator of the last Show-Me-Select bred heifer sale to be held in Palmyra, Mo., Dec. 13, said, "There were a lot of bargains sold tonight. In another year, a lot of people will wish they could buy this quality at this price." Before the sale started, Cole told bidders that they would see cattle with less flesh than in past sales, as most consignors fed no grain this fall, because of high feed costs. However, Cole said all had been on excellent pasture from the plentiful rain this year. "Some of the heifers on good legume pasture will look grain fed," he said. The replacement heifers are enrolled in a yearlong program to improve genetics and calving ease in beef herds. The heifers will calve this coming spring with expected calving dates listed in the sale catalog. Heifers carry a guarantee by consignors to be pregnant for 30 days, or a replacement or refund will be given. Before the breeding season, veterinarians examine the heifer's reproductive tracts and measure pelvic size to help assure pregnancy and calving ease. Increasing numbers of the heifers are bred by artificial insemination. All are bred to sires with proven records and calving-ease genetics. Local farmer advisory boards set rules for the sales. Veterinarians checked heifers for pregnancy twice, the last time less than 30 days prior to the sale. Missouri Department of Agriculture graders inspected all consignments upon arrival at the stockyards. Some heifers were sent home because of blemishes or lack of body condition. Cattle producers interested in signing up in the Show-Me-Select program for the coming year, anywhere in the state, can receive details from regional MU Extension livestock specialists through local offices in each county. Other sales and local coordinators are: --Nov. 29, 11 a.m.: Kingsville, Mo.; Livestock Auction; David Hoffman, 816-380-8460 --Dec. 6, Fruitland, Mo.: Livestock Sales, Inc.; Roger Eakins, 573-243-3581 --Dec. 6, Green City, Mo.: Livestock Market; Jim Humphrey, 816-324-3147; Chris Zumbrunnen, 660-265-4541 --Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m.: Palmyra, Mo.; F&T Livestock Market; Al Kennett, 573-985-3911. Information can be obtained from local coordinators. Updated catalogs with individual sale lot information will be printed on auction day.
Date: 12/17/08 Advertisement
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