PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, Pa. — Beef producers earned $252,950 for top-quality bulls at the 48th Pennsylvania Performance Tested Bull Sale, Friday, March 26, at the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre County.
“Pennsylvania has become the destination for producers in the northeastern United States who want to market and purchase quality livestock,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Despite the sale being held online only, the sale gross average is a testament to the quality animals, producers and buyers that participate in this sale every year.”
Producers from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states sold 89 Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental, Black Hereford, SimAngus, Shorthorn and Limousin bulls. The bulls averaged $2,842 per head.
Topping the sale at $6,900 was an Angus consignment from A & L Angus of Rebersburg, Centre County, sold to Alan Beck of Lehighton, Carbon County.
Fifty-two Angus bulls averaged $2,976, eight Herefords averaged $2,512, nine Red Angus averaged $2,897, 11 Simmentals averaged $2,395, five SimAngus averaged $3,085, two Black Hereford Bulls averaged $2,862, one Shorthorn sold for $2,000, and one Limousin brought $2,500.
The bulls completed a 112-day test at the center that evaluated average daily gain, carcass traits and feed efficiency. After the testing period, the bulls were ultrasonically scanned to determine ribeye area, marbling and fat thickness and examined for breeding soundness.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Evaluation Center measures genetic traits for beef, swine, sheep and meat goats for two purposes: to benefit producers through evaluating economically important traits and to benefit consumers by providing wholesome, high-quality products at an affordable price.
Since 1973, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Performance Bull Testing Program has provided the state’s beef industry with a way to measure inherited traits through sire evaluation. The center has adapted with advancing technology, offering expanded information on bulls and enhancing their marketability to potential buyers. Careful guidance and foresight have developed the center into a regional hub for improving the beef industry.
For more information about Pennsylvania’s performance testing programs, contact Greg Hubbard at 814-238-2527 or ghubbard@pa.gov, or visit agriculture.pa.gov/lec.
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–Shannon Powers, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture