MISSOURI RED ANGUS ASSOCIATION Fescue Belt Certified Program
Many of us who live in the “fescue belt” have experienced the problems associated with importing newly purchased cattle into our environment. What we’ve seen is a significant percentage of cattle that have not been raised on fescue struggle to perform after being imported onto this “grass we love to hate”. Some animals eventually overcome this issue, but many will not and will eventually be culled from the herd. Fescue toxicity results from toxins called ergot alkaloids, which are produced by a fungus called endophyte that grows within the fescue plant. Cattle expe- riencing fescue toxicosis may exhibit rough hair coats, heat stress, suppressed appetite, poor growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, and in some cases lost tail switches or even hooves. The decreased animal performance seen during the “summer slump” of cool-season pastures is made even worse by these toxic effects of fescue. Research on the subject of fescue management has been done for years. Several strategies can be used to mitigate the toxic effects of fescue, including removal or suppression of seedheads, overseeding of pastures with legumes or other forages, and good mineral supplementation programs. However, fescue remains a serious challenge. The USDA estimates fescue toxicosis costs the U.S. beef industry an estimated $600 million to $1 billion annually in lost revenue because of reduced reproductive and growth rates in cattle herds. The entire state of Missouri is situated within the fescue belt. Since fescue was introduced into our region, Missourians have built their herds retaining only genetics that have proven to be “fescue tolerant.” When looking for Red Angus genetics, look for the MORAA FBC logo & cattle that have “Bred-in Fescue Tolerance.”
The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program provides cattle producers with tools to enhance reproductive andgenetic potential of their herds and improve ultimate profitability. The program transfers science-based knowledge that enables participants to make practical production decisions that impact their bottom line. The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program is an educational conduit for beef producers, veterinarians and allied industry, and is focused on enhancing the adoption of reproduction and genetic/genomic technologies across Missou- ri. The program, which began in 1996, is the only statewide on-farm beef heifer development and marketing program of its kind in the United States.
Nearly 150,000 heifers, from more than 900 farms, are enrolled in the program. The marketing arm of the program has reported sales of almost 37,000 heifers into 20 states nationwide, with gross receipts of more than $60 million. To date, MU’s investment in implementing the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program has resulted in an estimated impact of $200 million statewide.
Premium Red Baldy is a tagging program designed to take advantage of hybrid vigor by maximizing the best traits of both Red Angus and Hereford and providing commercial producers with premium replacement females. The program will help producers access genetically verified females that have the best combination of longevity, fertility and adaptability to incorporate into producers’ herds.
To qualify for Premium Red Baldy, females must be sired by bulls in the top 50% of the breed for Baldy Maternal Index (BMI$) or Profitability and Sustain- ability Index (ProS). Targeted breed percentages will range from 25%-75% for both breeds, with the balance being the alternate breed. Females must be red-bodied with either a bald or brockle face. As the nation’s cow herd expands to meet beef demand, Premium Red Baldy females will rise to the challenges of producing more beef sustainably and profitably, without sacrificing quality. The Premium Red Baldy program has the ideal balance of maternal and carcass traits, which will yield cattle poised to increase the profitability of the commercial producer. Premium Red Baldy uses genetics supported by the only two beef breed associations backed by whole herd reporting.
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THE SHOW-ME REDS SALE
APRIL 26, 2026 • SPRINGFIELD, MO
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