Show-Me-Select Replacement� Heifer Program

							Show-Me-Select       Replacement™

      Heifer Program




            Dr. Joe Parcell
  University of Missouri – Columbia
Why The Program Began....
Effecting change in reproductive management
of the U.S. cowherd will require a fundamental
 change in the approach to management
 procedures and development practices being
used on heifers retained for breeding purposes
(Patterson et al., 2000).
 Show-Me-Select Replacement™
       Heifer Program
       Accomplishments and Impacts

 Since 1997 . . .
   493 farms
   166 veterinarians
   54,652 heifers
   Show-Me-Select Replacement™
         Heifer Program
        Accomplishments and Impacts

 The marketing component, since 1997. . .
   11,594 heifers sold
   $10,927,012 in gross sales
   3,775 prospective buyers & 1,283 successful buyers
             What Adds Value?

Ownership                     Health
 Bred heifers owned a          IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV,
  minimum of 60 days             Leptospirosis, Vibriosis,
  prior to breeding              Clostridial
 Original source identified    Internal and external
                                 parasite control
                                Horns and scurs removed
            What Adds Value?
Inspection of Heifers             Pre-Breeding
 Must meet minimum projected       60 to 65% of mature
  frame score of Medium using        body weight
  USDA system for cow grades        Pelvic measurement
 Must meet minimum muscle          150 cm2 or greater
  score using USDA feeder cattle
                                    Reproductive tract score
  scoring system
                                    50% or greater cycling
 Screened for general sale          (RTS of 4 or 5)
  acceptability
            What Adds Value?
Sire Requirements                Repro & Condition
 Bred heifers must have been      Complete pre-breeding
  serviced by bulls of known ID     exam
  and breed                        Pregnancy examined
 All service sires must have       prior to 120 days
                                    gestation
  complete EPD information
  with emphasis on birth weight    Grouped to calve within
  and calving ease                  45 day period
                                   Must weigh 800 lbs. or
                                    greater and have
                                    minimum BCS of 5
    How Much Value is Added?
Sale heifers                     Long-Term
 Average added value of $75 to    Lower cull rate
  $150/animal above commodity      Higher calving rate
  bred heifer plus extra costs
                                   More consistent calves
 Privatization of business        Overall heard
                                    improvement due to
                                    better management
                                    practices
           Final Thoughts
Process verification can take on many forms
  And, value appears in many forms


May be other cost/value advantages

      www.agebb.missouri.edu/select