Connecting West Virginia farmers with productive and profitable bulls is the goal of the West Virginia Bull Evaluation Program and Sale at the West Virginia University’s Reymann Memorial Farm in Wardensville, which has been on the leading edge of performance evaluation in cattle since its 1967 inception.

On Thursday, March 26, at noon, more than 90 bulls – including Angus and Polled Hereford breeds – will be auctioned to the highest bidder after undergoing an 85-day evaluation.

Bulls are assessed in multiple categories, including fertility, marbling, muscling, structure and other attributes.

The goal of the program, now in its 48th year, is to increase the efficiency and profitability of commercial cattlemen in West Virginia – therefore helping to sustain and grow the state’s farm economy. In order to insure buyers a sound investment, bulls are heavily scrutinized based on strict standards, and those that don’t meet the mark are eliminated from the sale.

The program is a collaboration between WVU Extension Service, the West Virginia Cattleman’s Association, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

The bulls are evaluated for genetic merit, in other words, their ability to yield productive, profitable and sustainable calves. The evaluation allows buyers to purchase animals that will help improve their farm business, ultimately increasing their profitability, or “bottom line.”

According to Kevin Shaffer, WVU Extension livestock production specialist, allowing cattlemen to have their choice of superior bulls leads to a more sustainable farming enterprise.

“Simply put, better bulls result in a larger return on investment,” Shaffer said.

For more information about WVU’s Wardensville Bull Evaluation Program, contact Kevin Shaffer at 304-293-2669, or visit bulltest.ext.wvu.edu. Those unable to attend the event in person can connect to the sale via a live audio feed. Details are available on the website.

Through local offices, WVU Extension Service maintains a presence in all 55 counties across the state of West Virginia. Backed by trusted research, WVU Extension Service brings the resources of the University to the people, improving their daily lives through numerous programs in the areas of 4-H and youth development; families and health; community, economic and workforce development; and agriculture and natural resources.

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bu/03/24/14

CONTACT: Cassie Waugh, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Waugh@mail.wvu.edu

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