HATTIESBURG -- South Mississippi cattle producers are counting on (market) strength in numbers as well as the quality of their heifers to bring a more satisfying experience for buyers and sellers alike at an upcoming sale.

With the aid of Mississippi State University's Extension Service, a group of 25 cattle producers are planning a bred and open heifer sale in the Southeast Mississippi Sale Barn at 1 p.m. on Aug. 30. The barn is on Highway 49 North in Hattiesburg.

Mike Keene, area livestock and forages agent with MSU's Extension Service, said this is the second year for the sale, which has the potential to add value to the cattle. Buyers will benefit from the higher quality of these heifers compared to animals in a more traditional sale. The sale will feature 400 quality replacement females with more than 300 bred heifers available.

"These producers are using outstanding genetics to produce a better grade of replacement females. The sale will provide other producers with an opportunity to buy cattle with known genetics, and that should improve the quality of their cattle herds," Keene said. "Finding top quality replacement females with a known background is a challenge."

Several different breeds of heifers will be available including certifiable F-1 Brafords and other crosses involving Charolais, Brangus, Angus, Gelbvieh, Limousin and Simmental breeds.

For more information on the sale, contact Extension agents Keene at (601) 545-4455, Chuck Grantham at (601) 428-5201 or Roy Higdon III at (601) 776-3951.

Contact: Mike Keene, (601) 545-4455