Show-Me-Select Heifers Average $2,127 at Nov. 15 Sale

Contact: Eldon Cole, livestock specialist

Headquartered in Lawrence County

Tel: (417) 466-3102

E-mail: colee@missouri.edu

MT. VERNON, Mo. – Prices at the Show-Me-Select bred heifer sales Nov. 15 in Joplin stayed high right until the very end of the sale according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“You know it was a good Show-Me-Select bred heifer sale when the last heifer in the sale tops with a bid of $2,700,” said Cole.

The single heifer was consigned by John Wheeler, Marionville and ended up with several bidders who liked the large frame, black white-faced, F1 Angus x Hereford (bred artificially to the popular Angus bull, Hoover Dam). The successful bid was placed by Michael Scarlett, Billings.

Wheeler, who has consigned at 18 SMS sales in southwest Missouri, sold 42 heifers for an average price of $2,326. All his heifers were black baldies or black mottled faced.

The top consignor average was $2,410 on five head of black baldies by Laynie Dake, a member of Mt. Vernon FFA. The second high consignor average was $2,367 on six head of black Gelbviehs from Hartland Farms, Stella.

Overall, 24 consignors sent 233 heifers through the ring for an average price of $2,127 per head. The 134 AI-bred heifers averaged $2170 while the 99 natural-service breds averaged $2069 per head.

Only 14 heifers were tagged as Tier Two, SMS qualified. Their average price was $2057. The Tier Two designation is placed on AI-sired heifers whose sire meets high accuracy values for calving ease direct and maternal, weaning weight, carcass weight and marbling.

Over 100 persons in the overflow crowd signed up for buyer’s numbers. There were 31 buyers and 21 had bought SMS heifers previously. Two lots were purchased over the internet. The volume buyer with 20 head was Booth Farms, Goodman.

The remaining Show-Me-Select bred heifer sales are Nov. 30 at Kingsville, Dec. 7 at Fruitland, Dec. 14 at Palmyra and Green City on Dec. 21.

For more information on the Show-Me-Select Program, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102, Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551, Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313 or Logan Wallace in Howell County at (417) 256-2391.

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