2005 Virginia BCIA Southwest Bull Test Sale Report

Livestock Update, April 2005

Scott Greiner Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech

The 26th Annual Southwest Virginia Performance Tested Bull Sale sponsored by Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association was held Saturday, March 26 at Wytheville. A large crowd and strong interest in the bulls resulted in establishment of a new sale record average price, with 130 bulls representing the top two-thirds of the bulls tested selling for an average price of $2503. Breed averages were as follows: 90 Angus averaged $2653, 20 Simmental averaged $2490, 17 Charolais at $1835, and 3 Gelbvieh averaged $1900.

The sale was paced by the high indexing Junior Angus, Lot 96, consigned by Jason Pratt of Atkins, VA which sold to Bruce Stephens of Wytheville, VA at $6250 for two-thirds semen interest and full possession. This March, 2004 son of Rito 0014 of 4B24 2000 Plus posted an adjusted yearling weight of 1441 pounds, ratio 116, a test ADG of 4.70, ratio 121, with BW EPD +0.8 and YW EPD +99. The high indexing Senior Angus bull, Lot 2, consigned by Justafew Angus sold to Frank Coleman of Woodlawn, VA for $5000. This calving ease son of Bon View New Design 1407 posted a BW EPD of +0.3, YW EPD +86, IMF EPD +0.31, and had a test ADG of 4.46, ratio 117. Justafew Angus, also consigned Lot 61 which sold to James Melton of Galax, VA for $4400. This son of Roths Millcreek Unique had a test ADG of 4.74, ratio 122 and YW EPD +82. Echo Ridge Farm of Atkins, VA sold lot 92 to Big A Mtn. Farm of Honaker, VA for $4200. This February, 2004 son of GAR Grid Maker was the high WW and YW EPD of the sale and posted a REA EPD of +0.61, ratio 117, with test YW and ADG ratios of 113 and 116. Another calving ease son of Bon View New Design 1407 son, Lot 118, consigned by Baird Angus Farm of Bluff City, TN went to Jason Semones of Hillsville, VA for $4000. Lot 45 from Freddie Mullins of Clintwood, VA sold Lot 45 to Frank Coleman for $3900. Lot 45 was a son of Bon View New Design 878 and had ultrasound IMF and REA ratios of 127 and 129, along with strong carcass EPDs. Also selling for $3900 was the high ADG Junior Angus, Lot 83 , going to Dale McBride of Morgantown, WV. A son of KCF Bennett Kincaid H315, Lot 83 was consigned by Golden Meadow Farm of Pipestem, WV and had a test ADG of 4.77 pounds.

A strong set of Simmental bulls was led by Lot 406, consigned by Hounshell Farms of Wytheville, VA which commanded $4000 and sold to Mike Cox of Allisonia, VA. This half-blood, homozygous black son of GAR Grid Maker had a test ADG ratio of 105 along with EPDs of +75 YW, +0.23 for marbling and IMF ratio of 130. The high indexing Senior Simmental bull, Lot 401, consigned by Reasor Simmentals of Rural Retreat, VA sold to Jack Krider of Todd, NC. This homozygous black son of 3LL Lucky Dice L37 had a test YW of 1438, ratio 121, a REA ratio of 111, along with WW EPD +48 and YW EPD +88. Another Reasor bull, Lot 402, went to Neal King of Wythevillle, VA for $2800. Also selling for $2800 was Lot 420, consigned by Huckleberry Hill of Rural Retreat, VA and going to Tim Sutphin of Dublin, VA. This homozygous black son of PVF-SSH 1L10 Liberty had ultrasound IMF and REA ratios of 132 and 120, along with YW EPD +72, MB EPD +0.28, and REA EPD +0.22.

The high indexing and top selling Charolais bull, Lot 302, was consigned by Leo and Annette Muncy of Pipestem, WV and sold to Reuben Blanton of Amelia Court House, VA for $3100. The December, 2003 son of ABC Hector Mac had test YW 1408, ratio 123, test ADG 4.33, REA ratio of 120 and +62 YW EPD. Lot 301, also consigned by Muncy sold to William St. John of Chilhowie, VA for $3000. This low birth weight EPD son of Baldridge Kojack 29K was the high ADG Charolais at 4.46, ratio 118. The third Senior Charolais consigned by Muncy, Lot 303, brought $2700 and sold to Terry Lee Hall of Eunice, NC. Another Baldridge Kojack son, Lot 325, was the high selling Junior Charolais bull, also consigned by Leo and Annette Muncy, and was purchased by William St. John for $2700. This bull had a test YW ratio of 108, and EPDs of -4.4 BW and +42 YW.

Hickory Hill Farm of Blacksburg, VA consigned the high selling Gelbvieh bull which went to Larry Rogers of Radford, VA for $2400. This homozygous black son of KCF Bennett Ideal G182 had WW EPD +55, Milk EPD +28, and YW EPD +94, along with ultrasound REA ratio of 111 and IMF ratio 130.

All bulls in the test and sale were consigned by members of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association. Bulls were tested at Hillwinds Farm at Dublin, VA owned and operated by Tim Sutphin. The sale was managed by Virginia BCIA and the Virginia Cattlemen's Association, and the auctioneer was Mike Jones.

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