SALE REPORT
AG-O-RAMA BCIA HEIFER SALE HELD IN CULLMAN, ALABAMA

August 26, 2006
Cullman, Ala.

High standards were set when the Ag-O-Rama BCIA Heifer Sale came into existence in 2000. Six years later the sale, held in Cullman, Ala. has continued a strong reputation for delivering top quality heifers.

Animal scientist Michelle Elmore attributes the distinguishing sale factors to the data available.

“The individual birth date, breed composition, 205 day adjusted rates and ratios, frame scores and sire EPD's prove the value of these heifers,” Elmore said. “This sale's strength lies also in the dedication of the consignors to its presentation and success.”

Buyer's present at the 6th annual event were also offered an uncommon service upon purchasing cattle.

Owners of the procured heifer could enter each head into The Leading Edge Heifer Development Program, a system designed to provide top nutritional requirements, monitor growth and evaluate fertility. The heifer is then bred to low birth weight Angus bulls for fall born calves.

Randall Rawls, Superintendent at the Auburn University Upper Coastal Plains Agriculture Research Center in Winfield, Ala., believes this program provides numerous benefits to smaller producers.

“It keeps them from having to buy a bull to breed and so it prolongs the use of a good bull,” Rawls said. “We use the highest quality bulls we can find which equals good genetics in the offspring. Also, many small producers don't have time to manage their heifers separately so this saves money.”

The program operates independently and costs around $300 per heifer. Thirteen heifers were consigned to the program this year.

The top bred heifers were consigned by James Foust of Foust Charolais, Cullman, Ala. to Jamie Frances of Sugar Creek Ranch, Winfield, Ala., at $1,225 each.

The top open heifer was consigned by Gene Wilson of Flatwood Farms, Gordo, Ala., to John Hill, Marianna, Fla., for $1,125.

The top volume buyers were Chip Cleveland of Prattville, Ala., who bought 30 head and Gordon Rosen of Tuscaloosa, Ala., who bought 11 head.

The sale grossed $74,595.

High Selling Lots:

Lots 449 and 450-$1225 each, Nov. 2004-born Charolais heifers. Consigned by James Foust, Foust Charolis, Cullman, Ala. to Jamie Francis, Sugar Creek Ranch, Winfield, Ala.

Lot 526-$1125, Oct. 2005-born Angus heifer. Consigned by Gene Wilson, Flatwoods Farms, Gordo, Ala., to John Hill, Marianna, Fla.

Volume Buyers: Chip Cleveland, Prattville Ala.-30 head; Gordon Rosen, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-11 head

Sponsor: Alabama BCIA.

Sale Manager: Sam Wiggins, ACES; Jonathan Gladney, ACES; Randall Rawls, Superintendent.

Auctioneer: Jarvene Shackleford, Ripley, Miss.

Alabama BCIA is a non-profit organization seeking to promote, educate and facilitate the use of performance data, 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 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.