Virginia BCIA Update

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BCIA CULPEPER SENIOR BULLS SELL DECEMBER 9
The 49th annual sale of the Virginia BCIA Culpeper Senior bulls will be held Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises located on Route 29 just south of Culpeper, Virginia.

The sale will include approximately 85 fall-born yearling bulls representing the top sixty percent of the 139 Angus, Gelbvieh, and SimmAngus 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 28th season for the Virginia BCIA Southwest Bull Test, conducted at Hillwinds Farm outside Dublin, Virginia, has been initiated. Ninety Senior bulls (70 Angus, 4 Charolais, 1 Gelbvieh, 7 Simmental (PB), 6 Simmental (%), 2 custom test) and 135 Junior bulls (85 Angus, 10 Charolais, 7 Gelbvieh, 2 Polled Hereford, 20 Simmental (PB), 9 Simmental (%), 2 custom test) were delivered to the station on October 3, 2006. Bulls were allocated to four pens based on breed, 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:

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 18, 2007 and qualifying bulls will be sold at the annual sale scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2007.

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.

	Senior (112-day test)	Junior (133-day test)
On Test	Oct. 16 & 17, 2006	Oct. 16 & 17, 2006
56-day Weight	Dec. 12, 2006	Dec. 12, 2006
84-day Weight	Jan. 9, 2007	Jan. 9, 2007
112-day Weight	---	Feb. 6, 2007
Off Test	Feb. 5 & 6, 2007	Feb. 26 & 27, 2007