Longtime consignors using proven genetics topped the recent Show-Me-Select heifer sale at Palmyra, Missouri.
Top consignor average was earned by Gene and Kim Dryden, Hannibal. They averaged $2,198 per head on their four lots of Angus heifers. They have sold for 10 years.
Keithley-Jackson Farms, Frankford, Missouri, followed with an average of $2,172. They have been in every sale for 22 years.
Overall, 239 heifers averaged $1,880, third-highest in six fall sales of bred heifers.
Other large, longtime consignors included Prairie View Farms, Gregg Drebes, Monroe City. The 22-year consignor averaged $1,965 per head.
Twin Hills Stock Farms, Terry Mudd of Silex, Missouri, has entered heifers for 20 years. His average price in this sale was $1,940.
“As always, repeat buyers make the sale,” said Daniel Mallory, sale coordinator and regional University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, New London. “They have purchased heifers from these producers and know what they are buying.”
A newer consignor, Bryan Evans, Vandalia, took top price of $2,800 per head on three heifers. He has home-raised black and red Angus crossbreeds. He had Tier II heifers, which are Show-Me-Select heifers out of Show-Me-Select cows. Those are bred to top proven sires.
All heifers come from beef farmers enrolled in the MU Extension program to improve management and genetics. The developing heifers get extensive attention at prebreeding. Increasingly, better genetics is added.
In this sale, at the F&T Livestock Market, Palmyra, the AI-bred heifers averaged $1,937. The bull-bred heifers averaged $1,768. Using artificial insemination allows use of top proven sires in a breed.
Also, with fixed-time AI, all cows can be bred in one day. That shortens the calving season. Fewer nighttime checks must be made at calving.
Also, with calving-ease management and genetics, fewer heifers are helped at birth. Also, death rates are cut.
All heifers are examined upon entry to the sale by graders from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. They check for conformation and flaws.
All heifers are sold guaranteed pregnant for 30 days. Those not pregnant will be refunded or replaced.
Missouri farmers can join the program through their regional MU Extension livestock specialist.