UT Bull Test Center To Host Open House
SPRING HILL, TENN.
The University of Tennessee Central Bull Evaluation Center will host an open house on Thursday, Dec.12, beginning at 9:45 a.m. The Bull Evaluation Center is housed at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill.
These bulls are completing the performance test at the Middle Tennessee
AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill, Tenn. Preview the entire
class of bulls and hear special presentations from University of
Tennessee and industry experts at the UT Bull Test Center Open House on
Dec. 12.
Photo by G. Rowsey, courtesy UTIA
Visitors to the open house will have the opportunity to view the 175 bulls currently completing the performance test. This test measures each bull’s weight gain, frame size and reproductive soundness and will provide useful records for future consignors. Breeds represented in the test include Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis, Simmental and Simmangus.
All bulls that pass the performance test standards will be sold at one of two upcoming public auctions. The Senior Bull Test Sale takes place on Jan. 23, 2014. The Junior Bull Test Sale is slated for March 6, 2014. Both sales will take place at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.
The open house on Dec. 12 will also include an educational program led by experts from the university and industry. Tonya Amen of the American Angus Association will speak about managing genetic defects and conditions. Rodney Schoenbine with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer) will cover utilization of DNA technology, and the newly appointed UT Extension Veterinarian, Dr. Lew Strickland, will speak on the incidence of trichomoniasis in beef cattle.
Following the program, visitors will be treated to a complimentary lunch sponsored by various agribusinesses. For more information, including directions to the center, visit http://middle.tennessee.edu or call 931-486-2129.
The UT Bull Test Program is a cooperative effort between UT Extension, UT AgResearch, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Association.∆