REQUIREMENTS FOR HEIFERS IN THE SPRING 2025 SALE
These requirements are designed to minimize the incidence and severity of calving difficulty and protect against potential reproductive losses. Heifers must be bred to service sires at or greater than established calving ease direct EPD minimums, have a minimum pelvic area of 150 cm 2 at pre-breeding or 180 cm 2 at pregnancy examination, be at a minimum body condition score of 5 and a maximum of 8 on sale day, and meet established health guidelines. Heifers are also evaluated for blemishes and structural soundness. Weaning: • Heifers are vaccinated for IBR, PI-3, BVD, BRSV, Brucellosis (optional), Leptospirosis (5-way), Vibriosis (optional), and 8-way Clostridia (contains Haemolyticum). Label directions concerning initial vaccination and boosters must be followed. • Use of implants is discouraged. If heifers are implanted, only FDA approved products for replacement heifers are allowed according to label guidelines. • Long-term use of MGA is prohibited. Use of MGA for periods up to 14 days to synchronize estrus is permitted. • Internal and external parasites are controlled as needed. • Heifers must be polled or de-horned and completely healed by sale day. Pre-Breeding: • Pre-breeding reproductive examination is performed 30-60 days prior to breeding. • Pelvic measurement and reproductive tract scored. • Heifers receive booster vaccinations for IBR, BVD, Leptospirosis (5-way) and Vibriosis (optional) between 30 and 60 days prior to beginning of breeding. All vaccinations must follow label directions. • Internal and external parasites are controlled as needed. Pregnancy Exam: • Heifers are pregnancy examined within 90 days from the start of the breeding season to confirm AI pregnancy or natural service. A pregnancy check is also done within 30 days of the sale. • Heifers are treated for external and internal parasites within 30 days of sale date. Products for internal parasite control must have a label claim for all stages of the parasite life cycle. • A booster vaccination against Leptospirosis (5-way) and 8-way Clostridia (Haemolyticum) is required at pregnancy check. Heifers are examined the day before the sale by a screening committee to eliminate blemishes (scarred eyes, frozen ears, short tails, rat tails). They must have a muscle score of at least a 2, a minimum medium frame score, a body condition score of 5 to 8, weigh at least 800 pounds and not have an undesirable disposition.
Tier 2 Classification: Heifers qualify for Tier 2 (white tag) in the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program based on the following minimum accuracies of the heifer’s sire at the time of sale for the respective traits listed below.
Show-Me-Plus Classification:
Heifers tested with a heifer genomic prediction panel approved by University of Missouri Extension will be given the designation of a Show-Me-Plus Heifer. These include breed association GE-EPD, GeneMax Advantage, Igenity Beef, Inherit Select, and Method Choice tests. Heifer DNA samples must be submitted and paid for two months prior to sale date. Genomic panel results must be sent to Regional Coordinator and State Beef Geneticist prior to tagging.
Trait
Accuracy
Calving ease (direct)
0.65
Calving ease (maternal)
0.30
Weaning weight
0.75
Carcass Weight
0.20
Marbling
0.20
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