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Virginia Cooperative Extension -
 Knowledge for the CommonWealth

Beef Update

Livestock Update, November 2007

Dr. Scott P. Greiner, Extension Beef Specialist, VA Tech

BCIA Culpeper Senior Bulls Sell December 8
The 50th annual sale of the Virginia BCIA Culpeper Senior bulls will be held Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 12:00 noon at the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises located on Route 29 just south of Culpeper, Virginia.

The sale will include approximately 75 fall-born yearling bulls representing the top sixty percent of the 117 Angus, Gelbvieh, Gelbvieh Balancer 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 29th season for the Virginia BCIA Southwest Bull Test, conducted at Hillwinds Farm outside Dublin, Virginia, has been initiated.  Ninety seven fall-born Senior bulls (78 Angus, 7 Charolais, 1 Purebred Gelbvieh, 4 Purebred Simmental, 7 SimmAngus) and 125 spring-born Junior bulls (77 Angus, 10 Charolais, 3 Purebred Gelbvieh, 6 Gelbvieh Balancers, 2 Polled Hereford, 16 Purebred Simmental, 11 SimmAngus) were delivered to the station on October 9, 2007.  Bulls were allocated to four pens based on breed, age, and weight.  Weights and performance will be measured according to the following schedule:

 

Senior (112-day test)

Junior (133-day test)

On Test

Oct. 22 & 23, 2007

Oct. 22 & 23, 2007

56-day Weight

Dec. 18, 2007

Dec. 18, 2007

84-day Weight

Jan. 15, 2008

Jan. 15, 2008

112-day Weight

---

Feb. 11, 2008

Off Test

Feb. 11 & 12, 2008

March 3 & 4, 2008

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 Saturday, March 22, 2008 and qualifying bulls will be sold at the annual sale scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2008.

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 Virginia BCIA at 540/231-9163.



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