Page 23 - MWC 2-2-2023s
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The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P23
Choosing to Prioritize Heifer Profitability
By Brandi Buzzard Frobose, Director of Communications and Editor
Heifers represent the fu- that highlights the beneficial and launch of the Red Angus Replacement Heifer Program
ture of all cattle herds and as effects of nutrition and repro- Association of America’s Red and knowing its success, he
such, they are often subject to ductive management on the Choice program. The pro- was encouraged to push for-
increased scrutiny and finely success of replacement heif- gram was developed to pro- ward with Red Choice as an
detailed management. For ers and their longevity in the mote improved heifer devel- early-adopter.
good reason too, as the poten- herd. opment, increase marketing Miller, who has been in-
tial for genetic improvement The pressure on heifers opportunities for Red Angus volved with the Red Choice
and increased profits lies to carry the operation into a females and create reliable program as a pilot herd since
squarely on their shoulders. profitable future consequent- sources of high-quality re- 2020, is thus far happy with
There is no shortage of data ly led to the development placement heifers for cattle his involvement in the pro-
producers. gram. He signed on because
Red Choice was based he wanted to help the indus-
upon the Show-Me-Select try learn more about quality
Replacement Heifer Program livestock.
after RAAA staff spent sev- “I’m all for helping the in-
eral years observing the pos- dustry have better beef,” he
itive impact the program had said.
on the overall quality of the Miller is a proponent of
Missouri state cow herd. The Red Choice because it dis-
program embraces proven re- seminates information about
productive and genetic man- quality heifers and makes
agement practices which, in them more available to the
turn, lead to high-quality, industry. He is also a big sup-
long-lasting females that are porter of the popular Feeder
ready to hit the ground run- Calf Certification Program
ning in commercial herds. and has been enrolling his
Victor Miller, of Halfway, cattle for seven years. He
Missouri, was a long-time en-
rollee of the Show-Me-Select continued on page 26
