PA Livestock Evaluation Center Friday, March 29, 2013 Noon Sale Arena 40 th Anniversary Performance Tested Bull Sale 1494 W. Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16895 814.238.2527 ghubbard@pa.gov
March 2013 Dear Friends of Agriculture: Welcome to a milestone for Pennsylvania agriculture, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture s 2013 Performance Tested Bull Sale. For four decades, the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center has evaluated the best beef bulls in the northeast, providing consignors an unbiased opportunity to see how their stock stacks up against other herds. Since that first sale in 1974, the information gathered has benefitted generations of consignors, purchasers and other cattlemen and helped us as producers feed the world. This 40 th sale is more than the culmination of the 112-day test program conducted at the center. It s a testament to the commitment of our producers and our government to improving Pennsylvania s beef herd. This investment keeps Pennsylvania at the forefront of beef genetics and a destination for breeders, from inside our borders and beyond them, who seek the best seedstock. The bulls on which you will bid are examples of how our breeders focus on animal genetics continues to move the industry forward in Pennsylvania, as they breed functional, productive, and quality animals. This sale could not be possible without the dedication and involvement of many hardworking contributors, and I thank the: Consignors, bidders and purchasers Livestock Technical Committee Pennsylvania State University Sale Committee Auctioneer Ringmen The members of the Pennsylvania Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, Pennsylvania Cattlemen s Association, Pennsylvania Livestock Association and Pennsylvania Beef Council also help to make this sale a success. Thank you for your continued support of Pennsylvania agriculture and for your commitment to the beef industry. Enjoy the sale. Sincerely, George Greig Secretary
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE BULL TEST Special Representatives Honorable George Greig, Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Craig Shultz, Director, BAHDS, Department of Agriculture Dr. Barbara Christ, Interim Dean, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dr. Terry Etherton, Department Head, Penn State Dairy and Animal Science Dr. Lester Griel, Attending Veterinarian, Penn State Steve Reichard, President, PA Cattlemen s Association Sale Committee Dr. Lester Griel (Technical Committee), State College, Pa. Dr. John Comerford (Technical Committee), State College, Pa. Joe Messick (Technical Committee), Middletown, Pa. Gary Seefeldt, Port Allegany, Pa. Jack Pitts, Dallastown, Pa. Tom Hamm, Allenwood, Pa. Tim Dennis, Penn Yan, N.Y. Chad Cash, York, Pa. Paul Salansky, Coal Center, Pa. Breed Representatives Cheryl Fairbairn, President, Pennsylvania Angus Assoc. Robert Tibbs, American Intl. Charolais Assoc. Paul Slayton, American Hereford Assoc. Board Laurie Fantom, President, Pennsylvania Simmental Assoc. Auctioneer: Ringmen: John Spiker... Jane Lew, W.Va. Robert Grove... Sommerville, Va. Charlie Strickler... Banco, Va.
Celebrating 40 Years of Improving the Beef Industry: The Pennsylvania Performance Bull Test For centuries animals have been evaluated on appearance in the form of livestock shows, an vital step in improving breeds of livestock. These gatherings remain an important component of the beef industry, as does the skill of livestock judging. But with the growth of the agricultural college as an institute of scientific inquiry, the need for empirical data to aid in scientific improvement of livestock became apparent. The livestock test was born. Early evaluation efforts in Pennsylvania involved a progeny test, where sets of five or six steers sired by a bull would be grown and finished out, then carcass data compiled to determine the performance of the bulls that sired the steers. That model was dropped in favor of one that pitted bulls directly against each other, providing the opportunity for more stock to participate in the testing program and increasing the value of Pennsylvania s sires. The Pennsylvania Performance Bull Test was established in 1973. The first several tests were 140 days long. Bulls arrived in early September and the test began three weeks later, ending in late February. That first test began the tradition of sales held the last Friday of March. The information available to potential buyers has expanded since early tests. The first tests reported pre-weaning data of 205-day adjusted weight, average daily gain and herd weight ratio. On-test data covered final weight, 140-day average daily gain, estimated fat, estimated loin area, type score, condition score, 365-day weight and weight per day of age. The first test evaluated 53 bulls mostly Charolais and Angus. The sale averaged $1,020. Throughout its existence, the test has added data categories and improved on technology. Breeds introduced expected progeny differences (EPDs), the center began administering breeding soundness exams and ultrasound technology debuted, improving in accuracy and usability with each year. Today, participating bulls complete a shorter, 112-day performance test with a three week adjustment period. The program provides a snapshot of improvements in the industry through feed technology and genetics. Average daily gain for the 1973 bull test was between 2-3.5 pounds. In 2013, average daily gain ranges from 3-5.24 pounds. One bull on test in 1973 featured 0.65 inches of backfat. Research shows that, since the first bull test, 75 percent of performance-tested bull buyers have realized an increase in productivity in their herds. Through improvements in carcass traits, feed efficiency and genetics passed to the next generation, these bulls are an asset to the regional beef industry and its economy. Pennsylvania s investment in performance testing programs has paid off. For 40 years, the performance bull test through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture s Livestock Evaluation Center has helped producers market superior animals. From simpler beginnings on a state level, the bull test has expanded its influence throughout the northeast. It continues the tradition of improving beef cattle in Pennsylvania and the region and plays a part in helping feed the world more efficiently than ever.
2013 PA Performance Tested Bull Sale Friday, March 29 9:30 a.m. Consignor Meeting 10 a.m. Heifer Development Project Consignor Meeting Noon 2013 Pennsylvania Performance Tested Bull Sale Thank You: Dr. Lester C. Griel for his veterinary expertise and continued support of the testing programs, The faculty and staff of the Pennsylvania State University Department of Dairy and Animal Science for assistance and educational support, Bull consignors and customers for their faithful patronage and dedication to this performance testing program, and Allflex USA Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Inc. for product support. Directions to the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center: The center is between Pine Grove Mills and the Ag Progress Days site approximately nine miles southwest of State College on PA Route 45. Southeast From Route 322 Take the Boalsburg/Oak Hall exit to Route 45 west. Follow Route 45 west to Pine Grove Mills. Pass through the blinking light and travel approximately 2 miles. The Livestock Evaluation Center will be on the left. Northeast and Northwest From I-80 Take the Route 220 west exit. Continue to Route 322 east. Travel 322 east two exits to the Boalsburg/Oak Hall exit to Route 45 west. Follow Route 45 west to Pine Grove Mills. Pass through the blinking light and travel approximately 2 miles. The Livestock Evaluation Center will be on the left. Southwest From I-99 Take the Tyrone/Route 550 exit. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Route 550 east. Travel Route 550 east to Warriors Mark. At the stop sign in Warriors Mark, turn right onto Route 350 south. Follow Route 350 south to Route 45. Turn left onto Route 45 east. Travel Route 45 east approximately 6 miles, passing the Ag Progress Days site. The Livestock Evaluation Center will be on the right.
General Information 1. BULL MANAGEMENT Participating bulls completed an official 112-day performance test at the Livestock Evaluation Center (LEC) on Feb. 19, 2013. Prior to the start of the test, the bulls were allowed a 21-day adjustment period. For the test, they were fed a TMR ration of corn silage, corn, dried distillers grains, chocolate by product, soybean meal and additional minerals. Following test completion, the bulls were limit-fed TMR and grass hay. 2. PERFORMANCE RECORDS Each cataloged bull features a complete performance record, found beneath the bull s pedigree. A. PREWEANING PERFORMANCE 1. Adjusted 205-Day Weight standard weaning weight using delivery weight adjusted for the age of dam to treat bulls uniformly 2. Weight Per Day of Age weight divided by age at arrival B. 112-DAY TEST PERFORMANCE 1. Final Weight actual weight off-test (the average of weights taken from 2/18/13 and 2/19/13) 2. Daily Test Gain total test gain divided by 112 days 3. Rib Fat ultrasound measurement in inches of fat cover over the 13 th rib 4. Ratios percentile comparisons of individuals against average of breed groups. A ratio of 100 is average. C. YEARLING PERFORMANCE 1. Adjusted 365 Day Weight: (Final Test Weight Birth Weight) X 365 + Birth + Age of Dam Total Days of Age Weight Adjustment 2. Weight Per Day of Age final weight at end of test divided by age in days. 3. Ratios see above. D. INDEX RATIO (.60 X Average Daily Gain Ratio) + (.40 X Adjusted 365 Day Weight Ratio) = Individual Index Individual Index divided by the average breed index = INDEX RATIO. 3. HEALTH AND FERTILITY Participating bulls are of sound health and reproductive status and were tested for BVD. Bulls also tested negative within 30 days of sale date for Tuberculosis and Brucellosis. Out-of-state buyers should contact their state veterinarian for prior permit when necessary. 4. FRAME SCORE Measured hip height is adjusted to 365 days of age and converted to frame size or body type on a scale ranging from one to nine where one is extremely small or early maturing while nine is extremely large or late maturing with five being average for the British breeds and six the average for the continental breeds. Frame Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Minimum 365 Day Hip Height (in.) 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 5. EMBRYO TRANSFER CALVES Embryo Transfer (ET) calves did not receive dam adjustments when calculating the adjusted 205-day weight. 6. PELVIC SIZE IN BULLS The heritability of pelvic size in bulls is high at 0.60. This indicates that differences in traits may be readily transmitted to female offspring. Breed is not an important factor in pelvic size for bulls of similar size and weight. Considerable variation in pelvic size is found within breeds, so selection does cause changes in the trait. The yearling adjustment factor for pelvic size in bulls is 0.25 cm. per day. Birth weight has a low correlation with pelvic size, so the traits can be selected independently. 7. PERCENT IMF The percentage of intramuscular fat (marbling score) has been adjusted to one year of age utilizing the BIF formula. 8. HORNS Angus bulls are polled. All other bulls that are smooth polled will be listed as polled. Bulls with scabs or scurs will be listed as polled/s while dehorned bulls will be listed as dehorned. 9. CARING FOR THE BULL YOU PURCHASE A. Allow your bull time to shed excess condition ahead of breeding season for optimal performance. Feed hay and introduce grain gradually to transition the bull to your feeding routine. B. Keep young bulls away from mature bulls. C. Limit the number of cows bred in the first year. Older bulls may breed 20-25 cows while younger bulls may breed 10-15 cows. D. Ensure that your young bull receives proper nutrition through the winter months so he will continue to grow and reach his genetic potential. Note: Some sale bulls have ultrasound scan information that was not adjusted by their respective breed associations due to age at scanning. These bulls are marked with * at the end of the actual scan figure. These are considered actual scans.
Sale Order The top-performing bulls from each breed on test will sell first. All others will sell by breed in this order: Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Simmental, Limousin, Charolais, Pinzgauer and crossbred. Sale order within breeds will be by index ratio. Bulls are cataloged in sale order. Calving Ease Sale bulls may be identified as Calving Ease Bulls. These bulls must have a calving ease direct (CED) EPD among the most desirable 33 percent and a birth weight (BW) EPD among the most desirable 50 percent of the national breed population listed for non-parent sires. For breeds not publishing CED, the birth weight EPD in the top 50 percent will be used. This distinction is noted in the lower right corner of a bull s pedigree in the catalog. Health Procedures A summary of the health related procedures performed on the bulls offered for sale: Pre-Admission Testing and Immunization All bulls accepted for the testing program tested negative for Brucellosis, Leptospirosis (five strains), Anaplasmosis (celisa test), Bovine Leukosis Virus and the Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus (blood test). All bulls received a dose of USDA-licensed products against the four common pulmonary viruses of cattle (IBR, BVD, PI3 and BRSV) and products for controlling Mannheimemia hemolytica and Histophilus somnus. Procedures after arrival at the center Upon arrival at the center the following immunizing products were administered: o Two doses of inactivated IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV and Histophilus somnus o A single dose of Mannheimemia hemolytica product (One-Shot ) o Two doses of 8-strain clostridial product o One dose of inactivated rabies product Prior to the sale all bulls received a booster dose of the inactivated pulmonary product with two doses of lepto hardjobovis plus (Spirovac Plus ). All bulls have received a breeding soundness examination performed according to the standards established by the Society for Theriogenology. All bulls in the sale have received a passing classification in that examination. In the case of the Angus bulls, this includes genetic testing for AM (Curly Calf Syndrome), NH (Neuropathic Hydrocephalus) and CA (Contractural Arachnodactyly). All bulls in the sale have been determined to be free of AM, NH or CA by pedigree certified by the American Angus Association or by genotyping of individual bulls with suspect pedigrees as identified by the American Angus Association. All bulls in the sale are tested for Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Leukosis within 30 days of the sale. Hauling Assistance with sale-day transportation of bulls will be available on a limited basis. Many bull consignors have offered to provide transportation to their area at an affordable price. If you have questions or concerns about transportation of a bull, please contact the LEC prior to sale. Beef Quality Assurance All consignors participating in the 2012-2013 Performance Test Sale are participants in the National Beef Quality Assurance Program. Bull Videos Online View video of the bulls prior to the sale at www.youtube.com. Search PA LEC Bull Sale. Sale will be broadcast online through LiveAuctions.tv.
USING EPD INFORMATION FOR SELECTION OF BEEF CATTLE Dr. John Comerford Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Department of Dairy and Animal Science The Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is an expression of how future progeny of a bull is expected to perform for a particular trait compared to other bulls of his breed. It is calculated from a complex statistical procedure using the animal s own record plus that of its progeny and relatives. The EPDs recorded in this catalog are derived from relatives only in most cases. However, research has shown this information is valuable in predicting the genetic potential of a bull. EPDs for birth weight, weaning weight direct, maternal weaning weight (milk and mothering ability) and yearling weight are given. The EPDs for weaning weight are divided into the weaning weight direct, which is the bull s ability to transmit genes for growth, and the maternal weaning weight, which predicts the milk production and mothering ability of his daughters and is expressed as pounds of weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability. These values are breed specific, so do not compare EPDs across breeds. How should a breeder use this information? The goals and objectives of the beef enterprise should determine the importance of different traits. For example, selection for high yearling weight EPDs will usually increase mature size and birth weight. It follows that there will need to be a higher plane of nutrition available for these larger cows and more care at calving to insure live births. The management and nutrition available will determine how far you can go. A second scenario may be the selection of a bull to use on heifers. Then, the breeder would want to find a bull that is low on birth weight, positive for calving ease and positive for milk and growth. For most breeders, a balance of positive EPD s for growth and milk can be coupled with a reasonable value for birth weight to make genetic progress. Breed average EPDs for non-parent sires: Angus BW = +1.8 WW = +47 YW = +85 Milk = +22 CED = +5 www.angus.org Limousin BW = +1.5 WW = +45.4 YW = +83 Milk = +20.9 CED = +8.4 www.nalf.org Simmental BW = +0.7 WW = +30.8 YW = +56.3 Milk = +3.4 CED = +7.5 www.simmental.org Hereford BW = +3.6 WW = +45 YW = +73 Milk = +18 CED = +0.5 www.hereford.org Red Angus BW = -0.2 WW = +33 YW = +62 Milk = +17 CED = +5 www.redangus.org All EPDs listed for sale bulls are from 2/22/13 Terms and Conditions of Sale 1. Sale payments should be made using cash or check. Any owner of a bull qualified for sale requesting that payment be made in cash rather than by check must first do so in writing to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center prior to sale day. This condition will then be announced prior to the sale of that animal. All checks must be made payable to the P.C.A. Bull Testing Fund. No bull may leave the premises until properly paid for. 2. Each bull will be sold to the highest bidder. 3. The auctioneer will settle any disputes regarding bids that may arise. This decision will be final. 4. Certificates of registry, where applicable, will be furnished and transfers will be made by the sale committee, at the seller s expense, to the purchaser within a reasonable time after the sale. 5. All bulls are at the seller s risk until sold and will be the buyer s risk after the sale. However, if not convenient for the buyer to remove the bull the afternoon of the sale, he will be cared for up to a maximum of 72 hours after the sale at the buyer s risk. After 72 hours there will be a nominal fee. 6. Health certificates will be furnished by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. 7. All bulls are guaranteed breeders by the sellers only if properly cared for and not turned out for pasture breeding before the age of eighteen months. Any bull settling one-third of the healthy cows he breeds will be deemed a breeder. In the event a bull is determined to be a non-breeder, he may be returned at the buyer s expense within 6 months of the sale date or three months after the bull sold reaches the age of 18 months, whichever occurs later. In the case of a bull claimed to be a non-breeder, the seller is entitled to six months following the return of the bull in which to demonstrate that the bull is a breeder. If in that time the bull proves to be a breeder, he shall be returned to the buyer at the buyer s expense. If after testing the bull, he proves to be a non-breeder, the buyer and seller may make any settlement that is agreeable to both parties. However, the return of the full purchase price will in any case be deemed full satisfaction and settlement. 8. All consignors subscribe to the Code of Fair Practices as established by their respective breed associations. 9. All claims for refunds or adjustments for any reason must be made in writing within six months of the sale date. The return of the full purchase price in any case will be deemed full satisfaction and settlement. The only guarantee made by the owner is for breeding soundness or any conditions listed under the particular breed s Code of Fair Practices. 10. All bulls sell with full possession and full semen rights unless otherwise noted. 11. The above guarantee and terms of sale shall constitute a contract between the buyer and the seller for each bull sold and shall be equally binding upon both. Neither the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Cattlemen s Association, nor any other person or organization connected with the management of the sale assumes liability, legal or otherwise, except to help make any needed adjustments. 12. All persons attending the sale do so at their own risk. Neither the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, nor any other person or organization connected with the sale will assume liability, legal or otherwise, for the safety in the buildings, on the premises or behavior of the animals.
PA Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center 1494 W. Pine Grove Road Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center 2013 PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE Friday, March 29, at noon For more information contact: 814-238-2527 www.livestockevaluationcenter.com