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Beef Update
Livestock Update, July 2000
Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech
Virginia BCIA Announces Plans for 2000-01 Central Test Stations
Rules and regulations for the 2000-2001 Virginia Central Bull Tests and Sales are now available through the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association. This will be the 43rd year for the Central Bull Test Stations in Virginia. A total of four tests will be conducted at the two test stations located in Culpeper and Wytheville. Changes for the 2000-01 season include minimum yearling weight EPD requirements for bulls to be eligible for test and sale. Angus and Hereford bulls need to have breed average or better YW EPDs to be eligible, while Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Simmentals bulls need to have YW EPDs above the 70th percentile for their respective breed. An index combing individual performance (adjusted yearling weight and test gain) and EPDs will be used to determine the top two-thirds of the bulls within breed that are sale eligible for each test.
The Culpeper station at Glenmary Farm in Rapidan, Va., will test two sets of bulls. Senior bulls (born September 1 to December 15, 1999) will be delivered July 18 and tested for 112 days with eligible bulls selling December 9. Along with these bulls, there will be room for approximately 40 custom test bulls. These custom test bulls will be evaluated along with the Senior bulls, but will not be eligible for the December 9 sale. The Junior test group (bulls born December 16, 1999, to March 31, 2000) will be taken in at the station November 7, tested for 119 days, and sold April 6, 2001.
The Southwest Bull Test Station in Wytheville, VA will test two age groups of bulls- Senior bulls born October 1 to December 31, 1999, and Junior bulls born January 1 to March 31, 2000. Both sets of bulls are scheduled to arrive at the station October 3. Senior bulls will be tested for 112 days, and Junior bulls for 133 days. Eligible bulls in both test groups will be sold on March 24, 2001.
In the 1999-2000 season, a total of 470 bulls were evaluated through the Virginia central test stations. A total of 293 bulls sold through three sales for an average price of $1530. Average test and sale costs for bulls sold during the 1999-2000 season was $645, for an average return of $885 to the consignor per bull sold.
Breeders in Virginia and bordering states who are members of Virginia BCIA are eligible to consign bulls. For copies of the rules and regulations as well as entry information regarding the 2000-2001 central bull tests, contact the Virginia BCIA office at (540) 231-9163.
Virginia BCIA to Sponsor Consignment Bull and Heifer Sales
The Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association will sponsor two all-breed performance tested bull and commercial heifer sales in fall 2000. A November 17 sale is scheduled at the Southside Livestock Market in Blackstone, Va., and the second sale will be held December 2 at Augusta Expoland near Staunton, Va.
Bulls born September 1, 1998, to October 31, 1999, will be eligible for the sales. Bulls must have been performance tested, and have complete weaning and yearling records available. To be eligible for sale, Angus and Hereford bulls need to have breed average or better YW EPDs, while Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Simmentals bulls need to have YW EPDs above the 70th percentile for their respective breed.
The sale at Blackstone will offer both bred and open heifers, while at Staunton only bred heifers will be offered. Bred heifers (born September 1, 1998, to April 30, 1999) will be confirmed pregnant to calve January 1 to April 15, 2001. Heifers will be bred to calving-ease bulls, with EPDs documented. Breed composition and pedigree information on heifers will be made available. Open heifers to sell at Blackstone will be born March 1 to October 31, 1999.
Breeders in Virginia and bordering states who are members of Virginia BCIA are eligible to consign bulls (only Virginia breeders may consign heifers). The sales will be managed by Virginia Sale Services in Staunton, Va. For copies of the rules and regulations as well as entry information, contact the Virginia BCIA office at (540) 231-9163. Consignment deadline is October 1.