UT Bull Test Center names top gaining bulls Bulls will be sold at auction on January 23, 2014

The University of Tennessee Senior Bull Test Sale will take place on Thursday, January 23, at noon CST at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill.  Tele-video sites for the sale will be open in Knoxville and Greeneville. Photo courtesy UTIA.

The University of Tennessee Senior Bull Test Sale will take place on Thursday, January 23, at noon CST at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill. Tele-video sites for the sale will be open in Knoxville and Greeneville. Photo courtesy UTIA.

While many of us are trying to lose weight after the start of the new year, specialists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are recognizing bulls that can gain weight…a lot of it.

As UTIA’s annual Senior Bull Test Sale at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center approaches, researchers announced the top-gaining bulls to complete the 84-day gain test, a pre-requisite for sale eligibility.
The high-gaining bull of the entire test was an Angus consigned by Williams Angus of Gray, Tenn. This SS Incentive 9J17 sired bull finished the test at a rate of 5.79 pounds per day. He had an adjusted 365-day weight of 1398 pounds and a frame score of 5.2.
The second high-gaining bull was consigned by Baird Angus of Bluff City, Tenn., with a gain of 5.63 pounds per day and an adjusted yearling weight of 1386 pounds. Third and fourth honors went to Harrison Farms Angus of Christiana, Tenn., and Grassy Valley Farms Angus of Greeneville, Tenn., respectively.
A total of 101 bulls completed the test, with an average weight gain rate of 4.31 pounds per day.  In addition to gain rates, the test also measures bulls’ frame size and reproductive soundness, and will provide useful records for future consignors.
Of all the bulls that completed the test, 69 passed all of the rigorous requirements to be eligible for the public sale to be held at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch Center on Thursday, January 23.  The sale begins at noon, CST.  It will feature Angus, Hereford, Gelbvieh Balancers, Gelbvieh Hybrid and SimmAngus breeds.
The Middle Tennessee AgResearch Center is located on Highway 31 in Spring Hill, Tenn. Tele-video sites where bids can be taken for the sale will be held at the Knoxville Livestock Center in Mascot and the UT 4-H Camp in Greeneville.
Pick up sale catalogs beforehand at your county UT Extension office, or view them online at
http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/beef/BulltestingProgram.html
For more information, contact the Middle Tennessee AgResearch Center office at 931-486-2129.
The Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center is one of 10 outdoor laboratories operated by UT AgResearch, a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.