CRYSTAL, Mich. — The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association has announced the completion of the 2018-19 MCA/MSU Bull Evaluation Program. The 31st Annual Bull Evaluation Sale will take place Saturday, March 16 at the test station, 375 Mt. Hope Road, Crystal, MI starting at 12:30 p.m. Bulls can be previewed during an Open House at the station on March 2.
The MCA/MSU Bull Evaluation is the region’s premier bull appraisal program and is a joint effort between the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association, Michigan State University and the Plank Farm. The program aids beef producers in obtaining superior bulls that have been evaluated in a common environment for growth, breeding and structural soundness and carcass merit.
The 112-day off-test report is available at www.MIBulls.com Beef producers can preview the sale offering at an Open House on March 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Open House gives cattlemen the opportunity to view the bulls and visit with consignors. MSU Beef Specialists will be available to discuss bull selection strategies, bull development diets and to interpret performance information. Lunch will be provided.
“This year we expanded our commitment, We Do More, So You Know More, by adding mandatory sire verification and genomically enhanced expected progeny differences for every bull,” said program chairman Bob Zellmer. “It’s crucial to have accurate performance information. With genomically enhanced EPDs we offer the best comparison tool possible and the transparency our commercial customers demand.”
Seedstock producers place their best junior and senior bulls in the 112-day MCA/MSU Bull Evaluation Program. This year’s program started in October with 92 bulls.
Rate of gain standouts include senior bulls #80 and #81, both SimAngus full-sib MR NLC UPGRADE sons, at 4.98 and 4.89 lb/day; consigned by Rural Route 5 Farm. Leading the junior bulls was #54, an Angus WAR Southside son at 4.69 lb/day; consigned by Highbanks Angus.
Only bulls meeting a minimum average daily gain and passing stringent evaluations for reproductive potential, disposition, structural soundness and foot confirmation make the sale cut. Genomic-enhanced EPDs for calving ease, growth, maternal and carcass traits on each bull will be published in the sale catalog. Each bull will have ultrasound data for ribeye area, external fat and percent intramuscular fat.
Catalogs will be available at www.MIBulls.com and at the Open House or through the MCA office. Off-site bidding is available through DVAuction.com. For more information, contact the MCA office at (517) 347-8117, the Plank Farm at (989) 506-2061 or visit www.MIBulls.com
— Michigan Cattlemen’s Association
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