You've reached the Virginia Cooperative Extension Newsletter Archive. These files cover more than ten years of newsletters posted on our old website (through April/May 2009), and are provided for historical purposes only. As such, they may contain out-of-date references and broken links.
To see our latest newsletters and current information, visit our website at http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/.
Newsletter Archive index: http://sites.ext.vt.edu/newsletter-archive/
Beef Update
Livestock Update, November 2005
Scott P. Greiner, Ph.D. Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech
BCIA Culpeper Senior Bulls Sell December 10th
The 48th annual sale of the Virginia BCIA Culpeper Senior bulls will be held Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 12:00 noon at the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises located on Route 29 just south of Culpeper.
The sale will include approximately 85 fall-born yearling bulls representing the top sixty percent of the 142 Angus, Branvieh, Charolais, and Simmental bulls developed. Only bulls which meet stringent BCIA criteria will sell. The majority of the bulls selling are sired by trait-leading, highly proven AI bulls of each breed. All bulls selling meet minimum genetic requirements (EPDs) to sire calves for the VQA Purple Tag Feeder Calf Program. Bulls have been screened for reproductive and structural soundness, and offered as guaranteed breeders. Complete performance information will be available on all bulls, including: growth, maternal, and carcass EPDs, detailed test performance information, and ultrasound data.
Beef producers and others who are interested are invited to visit Glenmary Farm to view the bulls. Glenmary Farm is located at Rapidan, VA and operated by Tom and Kim Nixon.
For catalogs and detailed information on the bulls visit the website http://bcia.apsc.vt.edu, or phone VA BCIA at 540-231-9163 or Glenmary Farm at 540-672-7396.
Southwest Virginia Bull Test
The Virginia BCIA Southwest Bull Test recently started its 27th season of bull development. The bulls are being developed at Hillwinds Farm, owned and operated by Tim and Cathy Sutphin of Dublin, Virginia. Eighty-five Senior bulls (63 Angus, 11 Charolais, 11 Simmental) and 130 Junior bulls (83 Angus, 10 Charolais, 13 Gelbvieh, 19 Simmental, 5 Custom test) were delivered to the Southwest Bull Test Station on October 4, 2005. Bulls were allocated to four pens based on age and weight. After a two-week adjustment period, bulls will be weighed on test. Weights and performance will be measured according to the following schedule:
| Senior (112-day test) | Junior (133-day test) | |
|---|---|---|
| On Test | Oct. 17 & 18, 2005 | Oct. 17 & 18, 2005 |
| 56-day Weight | Dec. 13, 2005 | Dec. 13, 2005 |
| 84-day Weight | Jan. 10, 2006 | Jan. 10, 2006 |
| 112-day Weight | --- | Feb. 7, 2006 |
| Off Test | Feb. 6 & 7, 2006 | Feb. 27 & 28, 2006 |
At the completion of each test, bulls will be evaluated for reproductive and structural soundness. Ultrasonic evaluation of carcass traits will be conducted during the test. An open house at the station will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 and qualifying bulls will be sold at the annual sale scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2006.
For information on the Southwest Bull Test, including test reports and directions to the station, visit the website http://bcia.apsc.vt.edu or phone VA BCIA at 540/231-9163.