With the completion of the 31st annual Michigan Cattlemen’s Association-Michigan State University Extension Bull Evaluation Program, the sale has been set for 12:30 p.m. March 16 at the test station, 375 Mount Hope Road, Crystal, Mich.

Bulls can be previewed March 2 during an open house at the station.

The MCA-MSUE Bull Evaluation is the region's premier bull appraisal program and is a joint effort between the Michigan Cattlemen's Association, Michigan State University and Plank Farm. 

The program aids beef producers in obtaining superior bulls that have been evaluated in a common environment for growth, breeding and structural soundness and carcass merit. 

The 112-day, off-test report is available at www.MIBulls.com.  The open house is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 2, giving cattlemen the opportunity to view the bulls and visit with consignors. MSU beef specialists will be available to discuss bull selection strategies, bull development diets and to interpret performance information. Lunch will be provided. 

“This year, we expanded our commitment, ‘We Do More, So You Know More,’ by adding mandatory sire verification and genomically enhanced expected progeny differences for every bull,” program chairman Bob Zellmer says. “It’s crucial to have accurate performance information. With genomically enhanced EPDs, we offer the best comparison tool possible and the transparency our commercial customers demand.”

Seedstock producers place their best junior and senior bulls in the 112-day program. This year’s program started in October with 92 bulls. 

Rate of gain standouts included senior bulls No. 80 and 81, both SimAngus full-sib MR NLC UPGRADE sons, at 4.98 and 4.89 pounds a day; consigned by Rural Route 5 Farm. 

Leading the junior bulls was No. 54, an Angus WAR Southside son at 4.69 pounds a day; consigned by Highbanks Angus. 

Only bulls meeting a minimum average daily gain and passing stringent evaluations for reproductive potential, disposition, structural soundness and foot confirmation make the sale cut.  

Genomic-enhanced EPDs for calving ease, growth, maternal and carcass traits on each bull will be published in the sale catalog. Each bull will have ultrasound data for ribeye area, external fat and percent intramuscular fat. 

Catalogs will be available at www.MIBulls.com and at the open house or through the MCA office. Off-site bidding is available through DVAuction.com. 

For information, call the MCA office at 517-347-8117, Plank Farm at 989-506-2061 or visit www.MIBulls.com. 

Source: MCA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.