Culpeper Senior BCIA Bull Sale December 1998 Averages $1792

Livestock Update, January 1999

Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

The 41st Annual Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association Culpeper Senior Bull Sale was held Saturday, December 12, 1998 at Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises in Culpeper, Virginia. Eighty-one bulls representing the top two-thirds of the 125 bulls tested sold for an average price of $1792. Breed averages were as follows: 67 Angus at $1825, 6 Polled Hereford at $2125, 4 Simmental at $1425, 2 Gelbvieh at $1350, and 2 Charolais at $850.

The top selling bull in the sale was a Polled Hereford, consigned by Clover Hollow Herefords in Salem, Virginia. This son of Feltons 517 sold to Rose Hill Farm in Upperville, Virginia, for $5800. He had a test gain of 4.02, ratio 133, and an adjusted yearling weight of 1160, ratio 111. His expected progeny difference for birth weight was -0.2, weaning weight +30, milk +25, and yearling weight +57. The second high selling Polled Hereford bull was consigned by Fauquier Farm in Warrenton, Virginia, and sold to Rokeby Farms at Upperville, Virginia. This son of TMR Headline Maker H310 posted a test gain of 2.99, ratio 99, and adjusted yearling weight of 1075, ratio 103. His EPDs were +4.4 for birth weight, weaning weight +31, milk +14, and yearling weight +49.

Echo Ridge Farm in Atkins, Virginia, consigned the top selling pair of Angus bulls. Both bulls were sired by GAR Commitment and each brought $4200. Scottian Farms at Swoope, Virginia, purchased 2/3 interest and full possession of Lot 39 who had an adjusted weaning weight of 837 pounds, ratio 123, test gain of 3.93, ratio 116, and adjusted yearling weight of 1256, ratio 112. He had EPDs of birth weight +2.4, weaning weight +38, milk +23, and yearling weight of +71. The other Echo Ridge consignment, Lot 38, was purchased by Thomas Tullidge of Tappahannock, Virginia. This bull gained 4.20 on test, ratio 124, and had an adjusted yearling weight of 1262, ratio 112. His EPDs were +1.1 for birth weight, weaning weight +35, milk +17, and yearling weight +66. Barksdale Farm of Rocky Mount, Virginia, consigned an Ideal 1418 of 8103 4286 son which sold to McBee Angus in Cowan, Tennessee, for $3500. He had a test gain of 3.79, ratio 112, an adjusted yearling weight of 1256, ratio 112, and EPDs of birth weight +4.8, weaning weight +45, milk +22, and yearling weight +79.

The high selling Simmental bull was black polled son of DS Black Zinger consigned by Hounshell Farms in Wytheville, Virginia, and sold to Walnut Springs Farm at Natural Bridge, Virginia, for $1900. His test average daily gain was 4.33, ratio 127, adjusted yearling weight 1195, ratio 105, and EPDs of calving ease +6, birth weight +3, weaning weight +36, milk +8, and yearling weight +61.

C.H. Morris and Sons of Appomattox, Virginia, consigned the top selling Gelbvieh bulls which was bought by Thomas Fulcher of Amherst, Virginia, for $1900. This polled, homozygous black son of Trid Black Laser gained 3.84 on test, ratio 119, and had an adjusted yearling weight of 1072, ratio 103, and had EPDs of calving ease 105, birth weight +0.5, weaning weight +34, milk +14, and yearling weight +59.

The top selling Charolais bull was consigned by David Clark of Denton, Maryland, and sold for $900 to Silver Creek Orchard of Tyro, Virginia. He had a weaning weight of 671 pounds, a test gain of 2.90 and an adjusted yearling weight of 1097.

All bulls in the test and sale were consigned by members of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association. Bulls were tested at the Culpeper bull test station operated by Glenmary Farm at Rapidan, Virginia. Sale manager was Mike Gothard, Virginia Sale Services in Staunton and the auctioneer was Mike Jones.

Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension