By MEGGIE I. FOSTER Associate Editor
SPRINGVILLE, Ind. — Cattle producers interested in improving their beef herds may find the answer in one of 108 bulls offered for sale at the 71st annual Indiana Beef Evaluation Program (IBEP) bull sale, April 18 in Springville.
“We have a lot of good quality bulls offered in our spring sale with interest from several buyers,” said Terry Stewart, animal sciences professor at Purdue University and treasurer/secretary for the Indiana Beef Evaluation Program. “We anticipate a good sale on April 18.”
Beginning at 6 p.m., the sale will commence at the Springville Feeder Auction in Springville, 10 miles northwest of Bedford on State Route 54-58. The sale line-up will include five different breeds such as Angus, Red Angus, SimAngus, Simmental and Hereford.
“The majority of the bulls, nearly two-third are Angus,” said Stewart. “Angus is just a more popular breed here in Indiana. We’ve found that Indiana breeders just prefer Angus bulls, as Angus numbers continue to grow here. But aside from the Angus, we have really good quality all around in all breeds offered at the sale.” All of the 108 bulls offered for sale completed the IBEP’s rigorous 125-day performance test at the Feldun-Purdue Agricultural Center and are in ideal body condition for use this spring, added Stewart. According to Stewart, the sale bulls were the top indexing animals of their breeds, and all passed inspections for breeding and structural soundness. More specifically, bulls entered in the winter test program were evaluated based on performance criteria, including daily rate of gain; structural soundness, such as feet and legs; breeding soundness, such as a semen and reproductive tract evaluation; and carcass merit measurements, such as the ribeye area, using ultrasound technology.
Open House on April 11 Potential buyers can view the bulls in advance at the Test Station at Feldun-Purdue Agricultural Center, 1117 State Route 458, Bedford during an open house on April 11 beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a courtesy dinner at 6:30 p.m.
“We will also offer educational sessions for breeders on April 11 including presentations on alternative feedsources and structural soundness,” said Stewart.
For cattle producers unable to attend the sale in person, the auction will be broadcast live online at www.DVAuction.com Or potential bidders can also participate in the sale from five remote sites across Indiana including:
•Purdue Extension Tippecanoe County office, 3150 Sagamore Parkway S., Lafayette •Purdue Extension Parke County office, 1472 N. State Route 41, Rockville •Purdue Extension Clark County office, 9608 State Route 62, Charlestown •Fulton County Fairgrounds, 1009 W. Third St., Rochester •Purdue Extension Wayne County office, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond
More information is available at www.ansc.purdue.edu/ibep/ or by contacting Stewart at 765-494-0138. |
