An enthusiastic crowd took advantage of record cattle prices to select new genetics for their breeding programs at the 23rd Annual MCA/MSU Performance Tested Bull Sale.  Seventy-four bulls grossed $218,250 to average $2,929 per head. Sixty-seven bulls sold to Michigan buyers, 1 bull went to Ohio, another bull went to Indiana, 1 bull went to South Dakota and 4 bulls went to Kansas.

Previous MCA Hereford test records were shattered when the high indexing bull (Lot 73), consigned by Phil and Chris Rottman from Fremont, sold to Rausch Herefords, Hoven, SD. This son of Hereford trait leader PCR 286 MR ADVISOR 502R sold for $4,100, for ¾ interest and full possession.

The second bull to sell was an Angus bull (Lot 35), MSU PIONEER 041, consigned by Michigan State University.  He sold for $5,200 to CRV/Brazil Bull Stud represented by Pat Goheen.  Semen is being collected on this bull at Great Lakes Sire, Bronson, for export to Brazil, SA.

Apple Hill Angus of Harrisville, was the consignor of Lot 48, the co-high gaining bull that posted a 4.69 pounds average daily gain. He broke the all-time high sale record when Leo, Lori and Markus Gaffney bid $6,500 for the privilege of taking the son of SAV BISMARK 5682 home to their farm in Wales. The Gaffney's also purchased the high selling bull at the 2010 MCA sale.

Another record fell when Paul Jefts of Big Rapids, bid $5,900 to own (Lot 92) RBG MR IRONMAN X20, a Simmental bull consigned by Rich Grain and Beef, Sandusky.

Other high selling bulls included: Slavic Farms, Ashley, selling (Lot 104) SimAngus to Buddy Lower, Kingsville, OH, for $4,200; Plank Simmentals selling (Lot 95) a SimAngus to Duane Leach, Owosso, for $4,100 and Dr. Helen Sill selling (Lot 102) a SimAngus to Nick Hagan, Ubly, on a bid of $4,000.

Apple Hill Angus sold Lot 49 to Dennis Fountain of Detour Village, for a bid of $4,700 and Lot 47 to Tom Gallagher, Carson City, on a bid of $4,000. Rounding out the $4,000 plus bulls was White Birch Angus selling Lot 19 to Lowell Harger of Hale for $4,500.

Plans for the 2011-2012 Bull Evaluation are under way. For more information on consigning bulls (entries are due Sept. 1) or details about the 2012 sale, contact the MI Cattlemen's Association office (517) 347-8117. 

Source: Monte Bordner, Chairman, MCA/MSU Bull Evaluation Committee