47th Annual Clemson Performance Tested Bull Sale Results

By DR. STEVEN MEADOWS Clemson University

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension 47 th Annual Bull Sale was a huge success, averaging $5,988 to set a 47 year record. A large crowd of new and repeat buyers was on hand for the sale, and the buyers and bidders appreciated the outstanding quality of the bulls in the offering. This year we offered bulls of various breeds, which included Angus, Hereford, Simmental, SimAngus, and Balancers. The bulls posted tremendous performance and relative feed efficiency, as evidenced by the performance data in the catalog. Performance of these bulls was backed up by a powerful genomic EPD profile geared to improve commercial cattle herds in just about every scenario. The bulls were sold on February 4 at the T. Ed Garrison Arena. This year’s crowd was standing room only, and participants were enthusiastic both before the sale and certainly during the sale. The excitement was infectious in the sale arena and was also evident on DVAuction online bidding, and telephone bids were strong!

This year’s bull consignments were from breeders in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina! A big thank you to these consignors to their commitment to excellence in their breeding program. The bulls not only boasted a strong array of EPDs but also backed it up with stellar performance and conformation.

The top selling bull was Lot 79, a powerful Simmental bull that posted a 1,431 lb yearling weight and a beautiful suite of EPDs to back him up. This powerhouse future herd sire sold for $38,000 and was consigned by AK/NDS of Six Mile, S.C., and was purchased by the Erbele and Thompson families of TNT Simmental Ranch in Lehr, North Dakota. The second high selling bull was the Lot 42 bull consigned by Winters Angus of Watkinsville, Georgia. This deep bodied junior Angus fetched $10,000 when the gavel fell. Repeat buyer Moss Cattle Company of North Carolina did not rest until they scored with the purchase price of $10,000. Following close behind was the

Lot 69 SimAngus bull consigned by Cooks Cattle Service of Buckhead, Georgia. This ripping good bull commanded a final bid of $9,000 and sold to repeat buyer Michael Cordray of Ravenel, South Carolina.

Lot 26, a senior Angus bull, came into the ring and started a flurry of bidding immediately. This extremely balanced son of Sitz Stellar 726D was consigned by John C. Smith of North Carolina. When the dust settled, Lot 26 made his way back to North Carolina, selling to the Snow family of Dobson, N.C., for $8,500. The excitement didn’t end there as Yaupon Land and Cattle’s Lot 41 junior Angus bull hit the ring garnering a high bid of $7,500 from yet again repeat buyer, Overbridge Farm of Newberry, South Carolina. this year, with four lots each, were Arkansas Land and Cattle Company and Moss Cattle Company. Many thanks to everyone! buyers of the sale were Wayne Moss of Franklin, N.C., and Arkansas Land and Cattle of Lake Village, Ark., with four bulls each.

AK/NDS had one more consignment to hit the top sellers as Lot 70, a stout blaze face SimAngus by W/C Bankroll, rang the bell at $7,250. Longtime supporter and buyer Joey Greene of Jackson, S.C., landed the final bid.

To highlight the breeds individually, the Hereford division didn’t disappoint as Lots 52 and 53 from Riley Farms were top sellers. These two ET brothers sold for $5,000 and $5,200, respectively. Lot 52 sold to Horned M Ranch of White Oak, and Lot 53 sold to Bruce Cannon of Greer, South Carolina. Overall, the Hereford bulls averaged $3,938 on four lots.

This year’s sale also included 21 stout open heifers. There is no doubt that Bar H Cattle, Diamond “S” Farm, and Riley Farms stepped up to the plate on this offering of 21 open heifers. High selling lot was a single entry from Bar H that sold for $1,900, and Bar H also had pens 5 and 6 that captured high bids of $1,850 and $1,800 on some beautiful Sim/Angus and Red Angus F1s. The volume buyer of heifers was Talmadge H. Luker, Jr. of Hodges, South Carolina. The 21 heifers averaged $1,500.

The 47 th Annual Sale was sold by Col. Dale Stith of Mays Lick, Kentucky. Ring men were Steve McGill, Michael Ryan of Townville, and David Gazda of the American Angus Association. These three gentlemen are true professionals, and we thank them as well. With all the sale enthusiasm, these guys didn’t miss a bid. Thank you, gentlemen!

Sale Summary

• 26 Angus averaged $5,365

• 6 SimAngus averaged $5,833

• 4 Hereford averaged $3,938

• 2 Simmental averaged $20,750

• 3 Balancers averaged $4,253

41 total bulls averaged $5,987

21 total heifers averaged $1,500

There were three Balancer bulls in this year’s sale, which were all Misty Hill consignments. These bulls were very balanced and will improve the herds of their new owners. The Lot 81 bull sold to Chris Collins of Tennessee for $4,750. Overall, the Balancer bulls averaged $4,253.

The six SimAngus bulls recorded an average of $5,833, and the Simmental scored for an average on two bulls of $20,750.

The 41 bulls saw a final sale average of $5,988! When the final load out occurred that evening, bulls were headed to six different states. Another record set for the Clemson Bull Test program.

We thank each and every one for coming, buying, bidding and consigning, and pushing the bulls to a new high of $5,988! Each of you is truly the driver behind our program. Volume bull buyers

Once again, on behalf of Clemson University, the Cooperative Extension Service, as well as the Clemson Bull Test program, we thank our consignors, buyers, and bidders for their dedication to breed improvement and excellence in genetic advancement within the beef industry! The confidence each of you has in the Clemson Bull Testing Program is humbling and appreciated. If you missed the sale, we sure missed you, but mark your calendars now for February 3, 2024, at the T. Ed. Garrison Arena for another powerful offering of industry improving bulls!

Overall, the bulls sold into Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Volume