Dr. Diego Gimenez, sale supervisor and an extension animal scientist, remarked, “The animals auctioned today are a strong group of bulls that represent what the cattle market desires, while still providing the dependability and soundness that producers demand. They are a testament that superb breeding and performance testing combine to make top priced bulls.”

Prior to the sale, the sisters of the Auburn Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority made a presentation of performance certificates for each of four top performing purebred breeds sold. Recipients of top bull honors are: Lawler Farm of Opelika for Angus; Alan Cruise Charolais of Deatsville for Charolais; Broken J Limousin Ranch of Enterprise; and, Farris Farms of Elba for Simmental.

Following an enthusiastic greeting from Col. Jarvene Shackelford, sale auctioneer, 11 Angus bulls were sold. Sale prices for the animals ranged from $1,350 to $4,000. The average price for each Angus bull was $2,245.

Six Charolais bulls rounded out the next section of the sale. Sale prices for the Charolais ranged from $1,550 to $2,000. Charolais bulls averaged $1,750 each.

Next, three Limousin bulls were sold. The bulls had an average price of $1,500 with a price range of $1,250 to $1,800.

The eight Simmental/Angus cross bulls sold had the sale's highest average for a group, $2,763. Prices for the animals ranged from $1,500 to $3,800.

The sale's last bull group, purebred Simmental, had a strong-numbered showing. Twenty Simmental bulls were featured at this year's sale with prices from $1,100 to $4,000. The average price per animal was $2,218.

A tie occurred for top priced bull at $4,000 each. Lenard Windham of Windham Farms in Ariton purchased an Angus bull from Billy Stevenson of Forrest Hill Angus in Higdon, and Bob Helms of Enterprise purchased a Simmental bull from Lee Boyd of Boyd Farm in New Brockton.

The 48 bulls sold totaled $106,150 with each of the bulls averaging $2,211.

Top open heifer honors go to Lee Boyd of Boyd Farm in New Brockton. Boyd's Simmental cross heifer was purchased by Susie Farris of Farris Farm in Elba for $1,225. Heifers sold from $760 to $1,225 and averaged $926 each.

Michelle Elmore, Alabama BCIA manager and extension animal scientist, said, “The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association is proud to be a sponsor of this event because it has reputation of showcasing animals that promote excellence in beef breeding.”

The Alabama BCIA is a non-profit organization seeking to promote, educate and facilitate the use of performance testing, record keeping and marketing opportunities to improve the Alabama cattle industry. BCIA is composed of persons, firms, partnerships, and corporations in the State of Alabama who are engaged in the production and marketing of purebred and commercial beef cattle. Formed in 1964, BCIA cooperates with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) of Auburn University under a formal agreement and is guided under a 20 member board consisting of producers, industry leaders, research personnel and extension professionals.