Virginia BCIA Update

Livestock Update, November 1999

Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech

Beef Genetic Management Conference Scheduled for December 6
"Evaluating Your Current Genetic Position" will be the theme of the 1999 Beef Genetic Management Conference to be held Monday, December 6, 1999, at the Ingleside Hotel in Staunton. The educational program will focus on helping producers evaluate the current genetics and performance of their herds, and how these factors relate to profitability now and in the future. Special emphasis will be given to the use of performance and carcass information in making herd management decisions.

The morning session will feature nationally recognized speakers discussing various topics related to measuring and improving genetics. The morning speakers will include Dr. Sally Dolezal, formerly Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at Oklahoma State University, Rich Hall from Precision Beef Alliance in Atlantic, Iowa, and Tim Smith from Midwest Microsystems in Lincoln, Nebraska. The afternoon session will include a producer panel, as well as Bill McKinnon and Dr. Scott Greiner of Virginia Tech.

A trade show will accompany the conference with co-sponsoring companies having exhibits and information for participants. The conference is designed as a one-day educational event for commercial cow-calf producers, purebred breeders, backgrounders, professional workers, and allied industry personnel. Anyone interested in profitable beef production in Virginia and the surrounding region is invited to attend.

Pre-registration for the conference is required by no later than Friday, November 26. Registration fee is $25/person, which includes lunch and a copy of the proceedings. The registration fee may be mailed, or paid upon arrival at the conference. For more information contact Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9163.

Culpeper Senior Bull Sale
The 1999 Culpeper Senior Bull Sale will be held Saturday, December 11, at noon at Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises just outside Culpeper, Va. Scheduled to sell will be approximately 78 head of Angus, Hereford, Gelbvieh, and Simmental bulls. The bulls are currently being evaluated on a 119-day gain test at Glenmary Farm near Rapidan, Va. At the conclusion of the test, all bulls will be evaluated for reproductive soundness. Bulls will sell with complete performance information, including test information, EPDs, and ultrasound measurements for carcass traits. All consignors to the test and sale are members of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association. For more information or a sale catalog, contact the Virginia BCIA office at (540) 231-9163.

Wytheville Senior and Junior Bull Tests & Sale
Sixty-five Senior bulls (44 Angus, 17 Simmental, 2 Gelbvieh, 1 Charolais, and 1 Polled Hereford) and 160 Junior bulls (103 Angus, 35 Simmental, 11 Charolais, and 11 Gelbvieh) were delivered to the Southwest Bull Test Station on October 5, 1999. These bulls were weighed and vaccinated for IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, 7-way Clostridial, and Haemophilus Somnus and were dewormed. Senior bulls were allocated to two pens, and junior bulls to 4 pens. After a two-week adjustment period, bulls will be weighed on test. They will be weighed and measured for frame size according to the following schedule:

	Senior	Junior
On Test	Oct. 18 & 19	Oct. 18 & 19
56-day Weight	Dec. 14	Dec. 14
84-day Weight	Jan. 11	Jan. 11
112-day Weight	--	Feb. 8
Off Test	Feb. 7 & 8	March 6 & 7

Senior bulls will be subjected to a 112-day gain test, and junior bulls to a 140-day test. At the completion of the test, bulls will be evaluated for muscle, soundness, and type as well as evaluated for reproductive soundness. Ultrasound evaluation of carcass traits will be done at or near the end of the test. Eligible bulls will be sold on March 25, 2000.

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