PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, Pa. — Pennsylvania sheep and goat producers received nearly $45,000 for 93 elite animals during the Livestock Evaluation Center’s 37th annual Performance Tested Ram Lamb and Meat Goat Buck Sale.
Top males selected after 77-day ram and 70-day buck performance tests sold Aug. 1 at the center in Pennsylvania Furnace, Centre County.
The tests evaluated growth, average daily gain, muscling and fat deposition. The higher-quality genetics will help improve sheep flocks and goat herds across Pennsylvania and throughout the northeast.
Thirty-three performance tested rams averaged $550, while 25 tested bucks averaged $593.
Select females also sold, with 16 consignment ewes averaging $332 and 19 does averaging $336.
Top sellers
The top-selling buck was consigned by Goats Galore of Middleburg, Snyder County, and sold for $1,175 to Dean N. Frazee of Fort Hill, Somerset County. The top-selling ram, a Suffolk from MacCauley Suffolks of Atglen, Chester County, brought $1,100, selling to Joe Emenheiser of Jeffersonville, Vermont.
All rams and bucks passed a breeding soundness exam and sold with growth and feed efficiency data as well as loin measurements and fat thicknesses obtained through ultrasound scan.
Producers can use this data to make important breeding and sales decisions that will bring more value to consumers and increase farm profitability.
For more information, contact the Livestock Evaluation Center at 814-238-2527 or ghubbard@pa.gov. You can also visit www.livestockevaluationcenter.com.
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