MONROE COUNTY HEIFER EVALUATION AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT: ASSISTING PRODUCERS SELECT AND MARKET SUPERIOR REPLACEMENT HEIFERS FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES
Jackson, C. B.11County Extension Coordinator, University of Georgia, Forsyth, GA, 31029
Abstract:
Replacement heifers are vital to the continuation of sustainable and profitable beef cattle production. Because producers are continuously seeking to improve efficiencies in brood cows and herd genetics, it is in the best interest of the producer to retain only females that excel reproductive and confirmation standards. Through the Monroe County Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development (HERD) program, beef cattle producers in Monroe County are able to select and market superior replacement heifers for additional revenue opportunities. Working closely with eight producers more than twenty different measures of data on reproduction, disposition, breeding, pedigree and gain were recorded by the Extension Agent on 450 heifers during the period of November 2018 through April 2019. After the initial screening test, the better quality heifers were selected as HERD program heifers while heifers that did not meet minimum requirements were culled. Sixty heifers were catalogued for the Monroe County HERD Bred Heifer Sale. From the sale, a total of $104,150 of revenue was generated for Monroe County producers from an average sale price of $2,107 per heifer and the overall highest selling heifer was $3,800. Artificially Inseminated heifers sold, on average, $959 more than similar heifers that were bull-bred. After fifteen successful years, the Monroe County HERD sale is continuously proving that Georgia producers are in demand of high genetically superior bred-heifers in order to continue to improve their own herd genetics and are willing to pay a premium.