PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, Pa. — A new sale will pair Pennsylvania beef producers who are working to build their herds with cattlemen interested in marketing their quality commercial replacement females.
New partnership
The Pennsylvania Premier Bred Heifer Program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania State University. The sale, the first of its kind designed and implemented in cooperation between the department and Penn State, will take place Oct. 22, at the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center (LEC) near the Ag Progress Days site in Rock Springs, Centre County.
Heifers consigned in the sale must meet vaccination and breeding guidelines to ensure quality and uniformity of sale offerings.
“Our nation’s beef herd is growing, and so is the demand for quality replacement females,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Greg Hostetter. “By partnering with Penn State, we can provide our state’s beef producers with a venue for marketing premium females — an opportunity that benefits everyone.”
The details
The program encourages careful attention to health, nutrition and genetics in replacement heifers to improve Pennsylvania’s commercial cow herd. It also fosters stronger relationships between producers, veterinarians and Penn State Extension staff to help producers reach reproductive goals for their herds.
To be eligible, heifers must complete a basic vaccination protocol, receive a reproductive tract score, have a minimum pelvic area of 150 cm2, and be bred at least 60 days prior to the sale.
The program is open to purebred and crossbred or commercial heifers that have been bred to a calving-ease bull. The program is open to producers from neighboring states as well. Nominate heifers by July 15. For complete information, visit www.livestockevaluationcenter.com and click on “Programs,” then “PA Premier Heifer Sale.”
Contact coordinator Ben Williamson at 814-867-491, or bcw13@psu.edu.
