Agricultural News
Future herd sires average $2,300 at popular OBI bull sale
Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:42:43 CDT
Cattle producers looking for a performance-tested herd sire spent a total of $269,050 to garner that perfect bull at the March 25 Oklahoma BEEF, Inc. All-Breed Performance Tested Bull Sale at Oklahoma State University.
Use of performance-tested bulls that are outstanding in their breed groups can translate into managing more profitable herds, reminds Bob Kropp, OSU professor of animal science and executive secretary of OBI, one of the nation's largest bull test stations.
"Cattle breeders know that a high percentage of the genetics within a beef herd is directly related to the decisions made in purchasing herd sires over a period of years," he said. "Quality assurance is the primary reason why OBI sales are so popular, with buyers from across Oklahoma and throughout the region attending."
The top-selling Angus was consigned by Pfeiffer Angus Farms of Mulhall, Okla., and was purchased for $4,600 by John Hunt of Green Ferry, Ark. In all, the average sale price was $2,328.65 for the 89 head of Angus auctioned off.
Durham Ranch of Stillwater, Okla., consigned the top-selling Hereford bull, which was purchased for $4,900 by Roye Ranch of Mounds, Okla. In all, the average sale price was $2,765.38 for the 13 head of Hereford sold.
The top-selling Simmental was consigned by 74-51 Cattle Co. of Fairmont, Okla., and was purchased for $5,000 by Kenny Reiley of Vevay, Ind. In all, the average sale price was $2,393.75 for the eight head of Simmental auctioned off.
Kearn Jarvis of Blanchard, Okla., consigned the top-selling Maine bull, which was purchased for $1,200 by Jogline Ranch of Paden, Okla. In all, the average sale price was $957.14 for the seven head of Maine bulls sold.
"OBI has been having bull sales since 1973," Kropp said. "With nearly 40 years of feeding bulls, the dependability of our performance records is unmatched. OBI customers depend on the reliability of these bulls."
Performance test results for bulls include: average daily gain; weight per day of age; adjusted 365-day weight; scrotal circumference; ultrasonic data for rib eye area, fat thickness and marbling; hip height; computation of performance ratios; and Expected Progeny Differences as provided by breed associations.
To qualify for a sale, bulls must perform in the top 70 percent of their contemporary group and pass a breeding soundness exam. All bulls are tested according to the procedures recommended by the Beef Improvement Federation Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Program.
Breeder-owned and -financed, more than 1,000 bulls are performance-tested each year at OBI, representing as many as 12 breeds and 30 test groups.
Animal science personnel with the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources serve as voting members of the board of directors and as advisers to the test rules committees.
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