16th Annual Florida Bull Test Sale
The University of Florida’s 16th Annual Florida Bull Test Sale is Saturday, Jan. 16 at the North Florida Research and Education Center Beef Cattle Unit located at 3925 Hwy. 71 in Marianna. The Florida Bull Test provides the commercial cow and calf producer a source of bulls that have been gain tested, thoroughly evaluated at the same location, and have passed stringent health requirements.
The 16th Florida Bull Test was conducted at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education center in Marianna. There were 136 bulls entered from 41 consignors from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. The bulls consisted of 34 Angus, 4 Braford, 4 Brahman, 10 Charolais, 3 Composite, 8 Hereford, 51 SimAngus, and 22 Simmental consignments born between August and December of 2014. Bulls were delivered in late July and initiated their 112-day test Aug. 18, 2015. The last day of test was Dec. 9, 2015. In addition, a hallmark of the Florida Bull Test is that individual feed intake was assessed to establish feed efficiency. At completion of the test, the entire group of bulls averaged 3.13 pounds of gain per day, but ranged from -0.11 to 4.95 pounds per day.
Only bulls meeting specific benchmarks are eligible for the sale. In addition, bulls are inspected for structural soundness and disposition and must pass a breeding soundness exam to qualify for the sale. Additional information, such as actual performance data, expected progeny differences, and carcass ultrasound data is available for bull buyers to aid in the selection of excellent quality bulls to purchase. Internet bidding will also be available for the sale. Potential buyers will need to preregister on the Cattle in Motion, LLC website at www.cattleinmotion.comprior to initiation of the sale.
For more information on the Florida Bull Test, visit nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-bull-test, or call (850)526-1621. Catalogs for sale are available by request.
