Bull Sale Shows Strength

ELDON COLE

MT. VERNON, MO.

   The 97th All-Breed Performance Tested Bull Sale was short on numbers but strong on price with an average of $4231 on 29 head.

   Leading the price parade was an entry from Beau Davis, Strafford that sold for $10,250.  The sale topper was an October, 2019 son of Syd Gen Enhance.  The seven frame bull had an impressive set of expected progeny difference (EPD) values and indexes which led to the active bidding.  The winning bid came from Kenton Teague, Willard who plans to use him on Hereford females.

   The strong bidding seemed to pleasantly surprise consignors.  Of the 97 bull sales, dating back to 1973, only 5 have had a higher average.  

   Those sales were from March, 2014 to March, 2016.  Only one bull has had a higher bid price in the history of the sale which was $13,000 in March 2016.

   The volume bull buyer was Johnson Farms, Springfield who purchased 6 head for an average of $5508.

   Females were offered for the first time at the performance sale.  To qualify they must rank in the 50th percentile or better for three of ten EPD traits and two breed indexes in the most recent breed evaluation.

   The bred cow top was $4400 on a 2017, third stage pregnancy entry of Kyle Wake, Willow Springs.  The buyer was Rodney Taylor, Buffalo.  

   Topping the open heifer market was a January, 2020, Angus from Cecil Huff, Ava at $4700.  She was bought by Clint Hunt, Springfield.

   The sales are sponsored  by the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association in cooperation with University of Missouri Extension.  The twice a year sales are held at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center.  The next sale will be October 25.  For details contact sale manager, Phoebe Wiles, Willow Springs 417-293-8002 or your nearest Extension field specialist in livestock at Stockton, West Plains, Lebanon or Mt. Vernon. ∆

   ELDON COLE: Extension Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri