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The Midwest Cattleman %u00b7 October 24, 2024 %u00b7 P148th Annual Fall Highland Cattle AuctionHighland Cattle Registry HeartlandHighlandCattlewww.heartlandhighlandcattleassociation.orgSelling Registered, Unregistered, Bulls, Cows, Calves, Crossbred, Steers and SemenFor more information email:fordkingcobra2@gmail.comheartlandhighlandcattle@gmail.comcircleamcattleco@gmail.comwww.heartlandhighlandcattleassociation.orgLongest and Largest Highland Auction in the U.S.Saturday, December 7, 2024 %u2022 10 AMSpringfield Livestock Marketing CenterSpringfield, MO %u2022 Off Interstate 44 Exit 70ONLINE BIDDING - DVauction.comor visit www.highlandauction.comat 40 to 75 days of gestation. This is less of a concern with a blood test.Management Opportunities for Open Replacement HeifersWhen identified, there are general alternatives for managing heifers:1. Market non-pregnant heifers immediately (for example, in August or September versus October or November). Heifers can be placed in a feedlot and fed an energy-dense diet to allow increased weight gain and to be marketed when they reach the appropriate level of finish.2. Keep non-pregnant heifers on pasture until typical sale time as an open.3. Re-expose non-pregnant heifers to a bull with the intent they will conceive and be sold into herds with later calving dates.Marketing Non-Pregnant Heifers EarlyNon-pregnant heifers would be viewed similar to yearlings on grass by potential buyers. Depending on the producer%u2019s resources, these heifers can be sold or placed in a feedlot.August prices for yearlings are seasonally higher than October and November prices.Placing yearling heifers onto an energy-dense ration will allow them to reach harvest weight at an earlier point in time and potentially at a seasonally high price (Figure 1). This may benefit the producer financially.Marketing conventionallyThe return from holding known non-pregnant heifers depends on forage availability. The opportunity cost for grazing a non-pregnant heifer (typically weighing 900 to 1,000 pounds) would average $35 per month in South Dakota (Figure 2). Typically, forage quality declines in August and September, so growth rates would be less than during early summer. With abundant forage supplies, holding these heifers may make financial sense, as the additional income from the sale of a heavier heifer would likely exceed the additional pasture cost. With 2024 feeder cattle futures prices and assuming 1.0 to 1.5 pounds per-day gain on these heifers, holding non-pregnant heifers on grass would be profitable.However, when forage supplies are limited, this decision is more complex. Ensuring that the herd has enough forage should be the first priority. Implementing the principle of %u201ctake half and leave half,%u201d consistent with a moderate intensity grazing system, alcontinued from page 5MERITS OF EARLYFigure 1. Seasonal price index for South Dakota slaughter steers.Figure 2. South Dakota grazing and pasture costs. (Source: USDA-NASS)lows forage species to survive and thrive. The financial numbers may look the same as abundant/adequate forage; however, assuring the longrun health of the pasture is critical for future success.Rebreeding heifersThere are several aspects to consider before starting a rebreeding program. Reproductive considerations of why these animals did not conceive should be considered. If unsound, it could be sold as a feeder. At this point in the cattle cycle, viable females are in demand. The open heifer may have value if sold as such. It could be bred soon and targeted to those looking to calve in early summer or fall. An open could also be maintained, incurring feeding costs, and then be bred next year. Feed costs and availability, the availability of other replacements, and trade-offs with grown versus purchased genetics would be additional considerations.Photo- SDSU Extension!! \'+ , -. / 0, 1 '( )*' 2, 3' ! \ #$%'( )*%%' ' ' ' 405 5 , \!Kingsville Livestock Auction58 Hwy %u2022 Kingsville, Missouri125 Head of Bred Heifers Sell:%u2022 Angus/Angus Cross %u2022 Gelbvieh Cross %u2022 Red Angus Cross %u2022 Simmental CrossFOR MORE INFORMATION OR CATALOG CONTACT:David Hoffman, 816-380-8460 or Kingsville Livestock Auction, 816-597-3331www.kingsvillelivestock.com