Show-Me-Select heifer producers meet with Missouri Cattlemen, Jan. 4

Beef cattlemen will gain insights into Show-Me-Select replacement heifers Jan. 4, 2019, at the start of their annual meeting in Columbia.

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association meeting runs Jan. 4 to 6 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. The SMS group usually meets at the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. They will join on the first day for the heifer meetings.

“Joining two groups benefits both,” says Dave Patterson, MU Extension beef reproduction specialist. “Both sides gain.”

An educational seminar is planned for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 4. Focus is on heifer development.

Highlights are two SMS panels. The first covers “The Role of the Veterinarian in Heifer Development.” The other has five producers telling of success.

Many veterinarians urge clients to follow breeding protocols of MU Extension for heifer development. A big SMS attraction to farmers is calving ease.

Trouble-free calving also gains favor with veterinarians. That cuts late-night calls for birth assistance.

The second panel is Show-Me-Select beef farmers. They are longtime members of the 22-year-old program. All built fame that attracts repeat buyers to spring and fall SMS sales.

“Repeat buyers bid more when they know what they are getting,” Patterson says.

The vet speakers are Voyd Brown, Barry County Veterinary Services, Cassville; Steve Struberg, Hermann Veterinary Clinic; and Mac Wilt, Paris Veterinary Clinic.

Farmer panelists are Greg Drebes, Monroe City; Bryan Evans, Vandalia; Nolan Kleiboeker, Wentworth; Tom Roberts, West Plains; and John Wheeler, Marionville.

Farmers sign up for the yearlong education program that covers heifer management and genetics. New research is annually added to the program.

The calving-ease heifers need few Caesarean section operations at calving. The vets don’t mind losing that often futile business.

The vets do like being called to give pre-breeding exams. That includes heifer pelvic measurements. Pre-breeding exams of reproductive tracts improve calving rates. Heifers that can’t deliver a calf are sent to a feedlot instead of being bred. Farmers gain on that.

The plan includes much more. In the meeting, Eric Bailey, MU beef nutritionist, will review heifer diets. Jordan Thomas, a new MU Extension specialist, will review his heifer breeding research. MU geneticist Jared Decker will tell of DNA testing. Scott Poock, MU Extension veterinarian, teaches long-term heifer health.

Patterson will give an SMS overview. MU livestock economist Scott Brown discusses the state impact.

All Missouri veterinarians are being invited, as well as beef farmers.

Farmers can learn more of SMS programs from their MU Extension regional livestock specialists and at agebb.missouri.edu/select.

Research for SMS protocols came from MU Thompson Farm, Spickard. That’s part of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.