FLORIDA WINTER BULL TEST SALE AVERAGES $1,851

February 16, 2001
Marianna, Fla.

Thirty seven bulls from the Winter Florida Bull Test were sold on Friday, February 16, 2001. The sale grossed $68,500 for an average of $1,851 on all lots, and $1,486 when the high selling lot is not included. Seventeen Angus bulls averaged $1,997. The high selling lot for the sale was lot 160 which sold for $15,000 to Barrineau Farms, Molino, Fla., Wayne Clemmer, CC Farm, Monroeville, Pa., and Dogwood Angus, Molino. Nine Charolais bulls averaged $1,944 with the second high selling lot 167, bringing $4,000 from Scott Cary, Madison, Ga. The third highest bull, lot 166, sold for $3,500 to White Wheel Farm, Rankin, Ill. Seven Brangus averaged $1,692, two Limousin $1,450, one Simbrah $1,350 and one Simmental $950. Bulls were purchased from buyers in five states with four going to Georgia, two to Alabama, one to Illinois, 29 and 2/3 stayed in Florida and 1/3 to Pennsylvania. Tommy Barnes was the auctioneer, and the ring men were Bobby Smith, Doug Mayo and Luke Mobley.

Sixty three bulls were delivered to the NFREC-Marianna test station on September 8-9, 2000. After a three week warm up and adaptation period the bulls were weighed on two consecutive days to start the test. They were weighed every 28 days for a progress check and weighed off test on January 24 and 25, 2001. Three bulls were lost during the test to pneumonia and bloat despite the best efforts of the dedicated crew. The bulls performed very well averaging 4.01 lbs. per day and had an average weight per day of age of 3.27. The bulls were ultrasounded and data on carcass traits were presented along with all current EPD's that were available. Other data made available included frame score, yearling weight, pelvic area and scrotal circumference. These bulls were also screened for breeding and structural soundness and temperament prior to the sale.