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).

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

 The marketing component, since  11,594 heifers sold  $10,927,012 in gross sales  3,775 prospective buyers & 1,283 successful buyers Show-Me-Select Replacement ™ Heifer Program Accomplishments and Impacts

 Ownership  Bred heifers owned a minimum of 60 days prior to breeding  Original source identified  Health  IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, Leptospirosis, Vibriosis, Clostridial  Internal and external parasite control  Horns and scurs removed What Adds Value?

 Inspection of Heifers  Must meet minimum projected frame score of Medium using USDA system for cow grades  Must meet minimum muscle score using USDA feeder cattle scoring system  Screened for general sale acceptability  Pre-Breeding  60 to 65% of mature body weight  Pelvic measurement  150 cm 2 or greater  Reproductive tract score  50% or greater cycling (RTS of 4 or 5) What Adds Value?

 Sire Requirements  Bred heifers must have been serviced by bulls of known ID and breed  All service sires must have complete EPD information with emphasis on birth weight and calving ease  Repro & Condition  Complete pre-breeding exam  Pregnancy examined prior to 120 days gestation  Grouped to calve within 45 day period  Must weigh 800 lbs. or greater and have minimum BCS of 5 What Adds Value?

 Sale heifers  Average added value of $75 to $150/animal above commodity bred heifer plus extra costs  Privatization of business  Long-Term  Lower cull rate  Higher calving rate  More consistent calves  Overall heard improvement due to better management practices How Much Value is Added?

Final Thoughts  Process verification can take on many forms  And, value appears in many forms  May be other cost/value advantages