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Bull Test Open House At Middle Tennessee AgResearch And Education Center
On Thursday, December 8, visitors to the Middle Tennessee AgResearch
Education Center's Bull Test Open House can observe more than 150 bulls
participating in performance evaluations. These bulls will be sold at two
upcoming auctions scheduled for January and March 2017.
Photo by G. Rowsey, courtesy UTIA
SPRING HILL, TENN.
The Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (MTREC) will host the annual Bull Test Open House on Thursday, December 8, 2016. The event offers visitors a chance to view more than 150 bulls that will be featured in the upcoming Senior and Junior Bull Test Sales. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided.
The open house begins at 9 a.m. CST with an educational program that will cover genetics and selection, nutrition factors affecting reproduction and fertility, new technologies in reproduction and replacement heifer selection and development. Featured speakers include Willie Altenburg, Beef Development Advisor for Select Sires, as well as Ky Pohler, Jason Smith and Justin Rhinehart, all with the University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science.
Following the presentations, visitors can observe the bulls participating in the performance tests. The tests measure weight gain, frame size and reproduction soundness, and also include DNA testing, which greatly improves the accuracy of genetic predictions. The DNA testing also qualifies each bull for an extra cost share from the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program.
Bulls that pass the test’s standards will be sold at a public auction at MTREC. The Senior Bull Test sale is scheduled for January 19, 2017. The Junior Bull Test Sale will take place on March 9, 2017. Featured breeds include Angus, Hereford, SimAngus, Simmental, Charolais and Maine Anjou.
The Open House will conclude with an industry-sponsored lunch. For more information, including directions to MTREC, 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. ∆
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