DATE: 10/10/2005

CONTACT: Dr. Larry Olson, (803) 284-3343, ext. 231

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241

Edisto REC Bull Test Sale features its best set of sires

BLACKVILLE – South Carolina beef producers will have a chance to bid on the best set of bulls ever entered in the Edisto Forage Bull Test on Oct. 26.

Fifty-four bulls will be sold at auction beginning at 12:30 at Clemson University’s Edisto Research and Education Center at Blackville. They will include 37 Angus, 11 Gelbvieh, 3 Red Angus, 1 Simmental and 2 Balancers.

“In 22 tests this is the best set of bulls we’ve ever had from the standpoint of genetics, expected progeny differences (EPDs) and confirmation (general appearance),” said Larry Olson, Clemson Extension beef cattle specialist and test coordinator.

“They broke the average daily gain record by .6 of a pound per day, which is big,” he said. “The group average was 3.65 lbs. a day. Sixteen bulls gained more than 4 lbs. a day. In the previous 21 tests, we had two to do that.”

Seventeen bulls had adjusted yearling weights of more than 1,500 lbs. The test began with 68 bulls in November of 2004. Fourteen were weeded out for poor performance, disposition, muscling and subpar breeding potential standards.

Olson said that both purebred breeders and commercial cow-calf producers will find sires at Edisto to meet their needs. He said the commercial bulls should sire the medium to large minus frame crossbred calves which will weigh 600 lbs. and more at 7-8 months of age, as well as good replacement heifers.

“These are the calves in demand by cattle feeders,” said Olson. “They bring the top prices and will make a profit every year.”

Bulls on test are fed under on-farm conditions – primarily with forages and a bulk, commodity-based test ration.

Edisto REC is three miles northwest of Blackville in Barnwell County on U.S. Highway 78.

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