A follow-up pregnancy exam is given before 120 days of gestation. Those in the program the longest are learning how to improve their herds the most, Randle said. One of the key measures of success is the number of heifers that are cycling at the start of the breeding season. Records from last year show that first-time participants had 58 percent of their heifers cycling. The herd owners in for the third year had 70 percent cycling by the start of breeding season.
Improved management is the purpose of the educational program.
Records also show improved response to synchronization and success with artificial insemination, Randle said. There have been major accomplishments with the Show Me Select Heifer program, Randle told field day visitors. Producers get a better understanding of the concepts as they stay involved in the program. Show Me Select Heifer Development Program. Herd owners enrolled in the heifer program learn to put together a package of management practices in their beef herds.