Heifer Development Considerations

Information compiled from 2011 Requirements for “Show-Me-Select” Program and Sales, and Impact of Heifer Development on Reproductive Success, D.J. Patterson, Ph.D., University of Missouri

Submitted by Eileen Coite, Extension Livestock Agent, Wayne County 

On December 6^th, many of us attended the Eastern Carolina Cattlemen’s Conference in Clinton and learned about many topics useful to cattlemen, with one very unique presentation on heifer development.  Dr. David Patterson from the University of Missouri shared with us details of the Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifer program.  Objectives of this program are to: 1. Implement a Total Quality Management (TQM) strategy to on-farm heifer development, 2. Enhance marketing opportunities for and add value to Missouri raised heifers, and 3. Provide a reliable source of quality replacements based on management, reproduction, and genetics. 

When I think of these objectives and what Missouri has accomplished with the “Show-Me-Select” heifer program, I wonder if we should look towards adopting a similar program in North Carolina.  Let me tell you more about it, and give you something to think about too. 

There are several “requirements” to participate in the program.  To be an eligible producer with eligible heifers for the program, the following steps must be taken.  First, a producer must officially enroll, pay a $5 enrollment fee, and join one of the nine regions of Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers, Inc. across the state of Missouri.  Next, producers must have owned the heifers enrolled in the program for at least 60 days prior to breeding, and they must be owned by residents of Missouri in order to sell in a sanctioned Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale.  All heifers must have a pre-breeding reproductive evaluation, specifically including measurements of their pelvic area six weeks prior to breeding. Additionally, all heifers must be included in a herd health vaccination program starting at weaning or before, under the guidance of a veterinarian.  Vaccinations for respiratory and reproductive diseases are a must, at very specific stages of their development.  Finally, a pregnancy examination must be done on bred heifers within 90 days of the breeding season.  Breeding dates, identification records, and fetal age must be recorded, and those that remain open or lose a pregnancy become ineligible for the program.

There are also specific “sale eligibility” requirements for the heifers.  Some of these include:  being enrolled at pre-breeding, be on a parasite control program, free of blemishes, horns or scurs, be a minimum of 800 pounds and be a body condition score in the range of 5-8 on the day of the sale.  All heifers will be inspected by a certified USDA grader for frame, muscle and body condition.  They also must have had a pregnancy exam within 30 days of the sale, confirming that they are “safe in calf” at the time of the sale.  Heifers in individual sale lots are grouped to calve within 45 days of each other based on expected calving dates.  Only heifers meeting requirements of the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program that are tagged and entered in the program database are eligible for certification, and a $10 per heifer certification fee is due as the heifer receives her official tag.  

The Show-Me-Select Program has earned many accomplishments for Missouri cattlemen over time.  Some of them are as follows:  There are nearly 100,000 heifers currently enrolled in the program, with producers being assisted by 205 veterinarians and seventeen extension livestock specialists across the state. Producers are now able to use resources and technologies for their on-farm heifer development that is also beginning to spill over to their cow herd management.  There is an increased interest and success in estrous synchronization and artificial insemination across beef herds, allowing for improved genetics and reproductive management, as well as increased value and sale prices of heifers. The program has provided a means for producers to sell over 23,000 heifers throughout Missouri and seventeen other states since the program began in 1997.

I hope you found learning about the “Show-Me-Select” ™ Replacement Heifers, Inc. program as interesting as I have.  We may want to consider a similar heifer development program in North Carolina someday.  If you would be interested in learning more about the program, details can be found at:    http://agebb.missouri.edu/select/