PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE — Beef producers earned a record $293,300 for top-quality bulls at the 40th Pennsylvania Performance Tested Bull Sale, March 29, at the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center in Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre County.
Producers from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states sold 113 Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Red Angus, Simmental and crossbred bulls, the sale’s largest-ever offering. The bulls averaged $2,596 per head.
Top seller
Topping the sale at $13,000 was an Angus from New Paradigm Farm of Chittenango, N.Y., which sold to Select Sires Inc. of Plain City, Ohio.
The second-highest selling bull was consigned by Riverbend Farm, Far Hills, N.J., and purchased by Russell Hollenback of Towanda, Bradford County.
Breed averages
Sixty-eight Angus bulls averaged $2,865, one Charolais brought $2,200, seven Herefords averaged $1,914, one Limousin brought $2,000, nine Red Angus averaged $2,756, 24 Simmentals averaged $2,100 and three crossbreds averaged $1,900.
112-day test. The bulls completed a 112-day test at the center that evaluated average daily gain, carcass traits and feed efficiency. After the testing period, the bulls were ultrasonically scanned to determine ribeye area, marbling and fat thickness and examined for breeding soundness.
Since 1973, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Performance Bull Testing Program has provided the state’s beef industry with a way to measure inherited traits through sire evaluation.
The center has adapted with advancing technology, offering expanded information on bulls and enhancing their marketability to potential buyers. Careful guidance and foresight have developed the center into a regional hub for improving the beef industry.
For more information, contact Greg Hubbard at 814-238-2527 or ghubbard@pa.gov or visit www.livestockevaluationcenter.com.
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