HARRISBURG, Pa. — Top-indexing Angus bulls, consigned by Ed and Ryan Dunkelberger of Centre Hall, Centre County, and Larry and Barbara Weaver of New Holland, Lancaster County, were the high sellers at the 37th annual Performance Tested Bull Sale, March 26 at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Samuel E. Hayes Jr. Livestock Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania Furnace.
The bulls each took a top bid of $3,600 from Brian McMullen of Ashville, Cambria County, and William Waddy of Petersburg, W.V., respectively.
Fifty-one Angus consignments were sold in the sale. In total, 83 bulls consigned brought $156,400 — an average of $1,884 per bull — at the sale.
Tested
All bulls sold in the 2010 performance-tested sale completed a 112-day test at the livestock evaluation center. This test evaluated bulls on average daily gain, carcass traits and feed efficiency.
Following the testing period, the bulls were ultrasonically scanned for loin-eye area, marbling and fat thickness and given breeding soundness exams. All information was available to buyers at the sale.
For the first time, genetic marker testing was completed on each of the participating bulls in the performance testing program by the Center for Beef Excellence. This new technology can help producers make informed decisions when seeking to improve herd genetics and market favorable traits.
The top-indexing Simmental in the sale, a moderate-framed, well-muscled bull consigned by Kenley Jo Myers of Dallastown, York County, was sold to David Eilenfeld of Lucas, Ohio, for $3,000.
Sixteen Simmental bulls averaged $1,859 in the sale. Four Red Angus bulls consigned to the sale averaged $1,450.
Red Angus
The top indexing Red Angus, an impressive consignment from Oscar Stine of Shepherdstown, W.V., was sold to Deborah Kibbe of Harrison Valley, Potter County.
Consigned by John Myers of York, York County, the high selling Crossbred bull sold for $1,600 to Allen Williams of Piles Grove, N.J.
Two Limousin consignments from Sydney Baker and Poverty Hill Manor Farm of Commodore, Indiana County, each sold for $1,500.
Five Hereford bulls brought $8,150 to average $1,630 per bull. The top-indexing Hereford bull, consigned by Roy and Susan Smith of East Greenville, Montgomery County, brought $2,000 from Randall Barmore of Gerry, N.Y.
Details
For more information, contact the Livestock Evaluation Center staff at 814-238-2527 or ghubbard@state.pa.us. For more information on the Livestock Evaluation Center, visit www.livestockevaluationcenter.com.
