SALE REPORT
19TH ANNUAL WIREGRASS FORAGE BULL SALE HELD IN ELBA, ALABAMA

October 21, 2006
Phil Farris Farm
Elba, Alabama

On October 21, the19th Annual Wiregrass Forage Based Bull Evaluation Sale served dual purposes. The event kicked off the Alabama BCIA bull sale season while also setting high standards for upcoming sales.

Sixteen consignors from Alabama and Georgia put five breeds of cattle including Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental and Simmental Composite onto the auction block at Farris Farm near Elba, Ala. All of the bulls passed the Wiregrass Forage Based BCIA Bull Evaluation and were maintained at Farris Farm through the summer on perennial grasses and supplemented with a complete feed to maintain adequate nutrition, allowing for a gain of 1 to 1.5 lbs. per day.

Dr. Diego Gimenez, Extension Animal Scientist, Supervisor of the Evaluation and Sale Manager, believes the Wiregrass Sale is unique because the bulls are developed with forages.

“These bulls are in excellent condition and are ready to go to work at the time of the sale, which assures the buyer a hardier bull,” Gimenez said. “The bulls will adjust well to their new environment.”

Gimenez also said the sale continues its dedication to the cattlemen of the Wiregrass region by providing a sale that supplies bulls that have been evaluated and developed in conditions similar to their own environment.

Jarvene Shackleford was the auctioneer at the sale.

Fifty-seven bulls averaged at $2,197.

The top selling bull, Lot 53, was consigned by Lee Boyd of Boyd Farms, New Brockton, Ala., and sold to Ryan Solomon of Solomon Club Calves, Headland, Ala for $4,200.

The top volume buyer was Ed Jones of Ariton, Ala. who purchased 15 head.

Extension Animal Scientist Michelle Elmore said the event displays consistent demand with strong sale averages maintained for the past few years.

“This event is strongly supported by the cattle producers in the Wiregrass region of Alabama and has attracted buyers from both Georgia and Florida,” Elmore said.

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.

Sponsor: Alabama BCIA

Sale Manager: Dr. Diego Gimenez, Extension Animal Scientist.

Auctioneer: Jarvene Shackleford, Ripley, Miss.