05/10/2025
Successful trip to the Show Me Select Bred Heifer Sale in Farmington Missouri where David Cox, Toni Cox and I brought home two beautiful angus heifers to add to the Full Circle Beef program.
A little insight on why these heifers are special. The requirements for the Show Me Select program are designed to minimize the occurrence and severity of calving difficulties and protect against reproductive losses. These heifers are bred to sires at or above an established calving ease EPD (Expected Progeny Difference), have a minimum pelvic area of 150 cm2 pre breeding or 180 cm2 at pregnancy examination, have a body condition score at a minimum of 5 and a maximum body condition score of 8 on the day of the sale. Heifers must also meet health guidelines and be free of blemishes and be structurally sound.
At weaning age producers have to vaccinate heifers for IBR, PI-3, BVD, BRSV, leptospirosis (5-way), virbriosis (optional), and 8-way Clostridia.
When heifers move onto pre breeding age a reproductive exam is preformed and the pelvis is measured and a second round of vaccines is administered 30-60 days before breeding.
At the pregnancy examination heifers will be examined by 90 days to determine breeding dates to identify if they are carrying an AI pregnancy or Natural service. A booster of Leptospirosis (5-way) and 8-way Clostridia is given again at the time of pregnancy check and they must test negative for BVD-PI.