CAE hosts bull sales next two weekends

Bull sale season is in full swing with some sales now complete and more pending. The Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises is the location for a number of seed stock sales, some coming from as far as Vermont and Pennsylvania.

Breeders know they will do well at the CAE and choose it for its easy access, visibility and its excellent facilities.

On consecutive Saturdays Dec. 5 and 12 there will be two bull sales to add to a list of successful seed stock ventures held at the CAE this sale season.

Saturday Dec. 5, at noon the Lakota Bull Test sale will be held.

These bulls are developed on pasture over more than 12 months and sorted down to 41 from an original group of over 80 head.

This approach using only forages to develop bulls will pay dividends as it identifies cattle with a superior ability to function on forages.

This is the second group to sell from this unique test supported by breeders representing Angus, Devon and Hereford cattle who offer you their “grass genetics.”

Test manager Jeremy Engh says that buyers from last year’s sale are happy with their bull’s performance, they have reliably settled cows and their first calf crop is on the ground. These first calves will come to market and begin setting their course in a value-based system that now includes function on grass.

Search the web at lakotabbulltest.com for more information on the Lakota test and sale.

Saturday Dec. 12, at noon at the CAE the Culpeper Beef Cattle Improvement Association Senior Bull sale will be held. This is the 52nd annual sale and one of the longest running tests in the country.

These bulls have been sorted down to 62 from an original group of over 100 and have been developed on a silage and grain ration in under 120 days. Angus and Gelbvieh Balancer breeders support the sale with offerings of their proven genetics.

Test manager Tom Nixon says there are many repeat buyers for Culpeper test bulls that serve a variety of producer’s needs.

The quality of Virginia feeder cattle is directly related to breeding decisions you make and one of these is to use BCIA tested bulls.

Our feeder cattle standout in the Mid-Atlantic as buyers look for cattle to put on feed. Search the web at http://bcia.apsc.vt.edu for more information on the Culpeper test and sale.

One way farmers learn is to share their experiences.

I found a producer who has been using BCIA bulls for 25 years because they are predictable, a good value and he can depend on finding one that will do everything for his average size herd.

I watched a breeder fill the CAE facilities with repeat business, following a program now into its second decade.

To conclude, you will find it interesting that a local producer bought both a Culpeper test bull and a Lakota test bull last year and is comparing them on his farm.

Change is happening all around us and to be ready you must follow what you know, but compare new ideas along the way.

Carl Stafford is the extension agent for Culpeper County. His column appears every other Wednesday.