Details Available for 50th Annual Virginia BCIA Central Bull Test Station Program
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Virginia’s Central Bull Test Station Program sponsored by the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association.  Rules and regulations for the 2007-08 test and sale season are now available through Virginia BCIA.  A total of four test groups of bulls will be developed and sold from the two stations located at Culpeper and in Southwest Virginia.

The Culpeper tests are conducted at Glenmary Farm in Rapidan, VA owned and operated by Tom and Kim Nixon.  The Southwest Bull Test Station is located at Hillwinds Farm owned by Tim Sutphin of Dublin, Virginia.  At both stations, a set of fall-born Senior bulls, as well as spring-born Junior bulls will be developed.  In addition to the traditional tests, the opportunity exists for breeders to custom feed bulls through the BCIA program so that contemporary groups may be maintained.  Additionally, provisions to the program allow breeders flexibility in developing both sale-eligible and custom tests bulls.  The following table provides details of age requirements, entry deadlines, and the test and sale schedule for each group of bulls.

Registered bulls of any recognized beef breed, or recorded percentage bulls of breeds which have an open herd book are eligible for the central tests.  All bulls must be recorded in their respective breed association, and have a complete performance record (including EPDs).  Bulls must also meet breed-specific minimum YW EPD requirements, individual performance specifications, as well as pre-delivery health and management protocol to be eligible for the tests.

In 2006-07, a total of 449 bulls were developed through the Virginia BCIA Central Bull Test program.  The qualifying 257 bulls that sold averaged $2031 across the three sales.  Average total cost including all test and sale expenses was $764 per bull sold (feed, vet, entry fees, sale expenses, etc.).Breeders in Virginia and bordering states who are members of Virginia BCIA are eligible to consign bulls.  For details and copies of the rules and regulations as well as entry information regarding the central bull tests, contact the Virginia BCIA office at 540-231-9163 or visit http://bcia.apsc.vt.edu.

Virginia BCIA Central Bull Test Station Summary 2006-07
The Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association recently completed its 49th year of developing and merchandising bulls through state central bull test stations.  The 2006-07 test and sale year included the development of 449 total bulls, with 257 bulls selling through three sales for an average price of $2031.

This was the 49th consecutive year for the Culpeper station, operated by Glenmary Farm, Tom and Kim Nixon owners, of Rapidan, Virginia.  In the fall-born senior group at Culpeper, 131 bulls were tested and had a test ADG of 3.48 and an adjusted yearling weight of 1146.  The 105 spring-born Culpeper junior bulls posted test performance of 3.86 ADG and 1163 adjusted yearling weight.  The Southwest Bull Test was in operated for the 28th year, with development of the bulls provided by Hillwinds Farm, Tim and Cathy Sutphin of Dublin.  The bulls tested at the Southwest station included 86 fall-born senior bulls and 127 spring-born juniors.  The senior bulls recorded a test ADG of 3.88 with an adjusted yearling weight of 1214, while the junior bulls had a 3.73 ADG and 1277 pound adjusted yearling weight.  Across the two stations and four test groups ranging in length from 112 to 133 days, the 449 total bulls averaged 3.73 ADG and 1200 adjusted yearling weight.  These 449 bulls included 373 Angus, 27 Purebred Simmental, 20 Simmental Hybrids, 14 Charolais, 9 Gelbvieh, 5 Polled Hereford, and 1 Braunvieh.

Three sales were held for eligible bulls.  The Culpeper Senior sale was held in mid-December with 75 bulls averaging $1979.  The Southwest sale in late March sold 132 bulls for an average of $2087, and the Culpeper Junior sale in early April averaged $1963 on 50 head.  Across all three sales, 215 Angus averaged $2010, 18 Purebred Simmental averaged $2161, 7 Simmental Hybrids averaged $2714, 8 Charolais averaged $1837, 7 Gelbvieh averaged $2079, and 2 Polled Hereford at $1350.  Average total test and sale costs for bulls fed and sold during the 2006-07 season was $764, for an average return of $1267 per head after all expenses to the consignor.

A total of 86 breeders participated in the Central Bull Test Station program last year.  There were 72 Virginia breeders, and a total of 14 from the surrounding states of Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina.  Several breeders participated in more than one test and sale.  Of the 257 bulls sold, 234 were purchased by Virginia buyers and 23 (9%) sold out of state to Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

All bulls tested and sold were consigned by breeders who are members of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association.  Virginia BCIA was the first state beef cattle improvement association, organized in 1955.  For a more detailed summary of this information, or information on the upcoming Virginia BCIA Central Bull Test Station program contact the Virginia BCIA office at (540) 231-9163 or visit http://bcia.apsc.vt.edu.