UGA Heifer Evaluation SaleTed G. DyerUGA Extension Animal Scientist  

            The ninth annual heifer evaluation and reproductive development (H.E.R.D.) sale is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2009 starting at 12:30pm in Calhoun, Georgia at the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center Livestock Pavilion.  This year the sale will include 95 safe-in calf heifers.  Each of these heifers have been evaluated and developed at the University of Georgia Research and Education Center.  The heifers were bred to low calving ease Angus Bulls – a large percent of the heifers will sale safe in calf to Angus bull Mytty in Focus.  This is a great opportunity to purchase some really nice heifers that have been thoroughly evaluated for reproductive soundness and disposition.  This is a great opportunity to purchase heifers should be productive in your herd for many years.

 

            The heifers in the HERD Program come from area commercial and purebred consignors.  The heifers consigned to program were born December 1, 2007 – February 28, 2008.  The will calve at around two years of age.  The heifers entered the program last December, 2008.  Upon entering the program the heifers were given booster vaccinations for IBR/BVD/PI3/BRSV, 7-Way Blackleg, and 5-Way Lepto-Vibrio.  Heifers were also dewormed and given an intranasal vaccine.  In addition, heifers were tested for Persistently Infected-BVD.  The heifers were placed on pasture plus received high-quality Bermuda hay plus a supplement of corn gluten, whole corn and soy hulls.  The heifers were fed for a moderate rate of gain which should result in their reaching the target weight (65% of mature weight) by 15 months of age.

 

            Each heifer has been evaluated for pelvic area, frame score, disposition, reproductive tract maturity score, and structure.  They were artificially inseminated (AI’d) followed by 45 days with multiple low calving ease Angus clean-up bulls.  Calving ease Angus was the top priority in the selection of service sires.

 

            The complete evaluation of the heifers is available in the sale catalog (will be available by May 1). Contact your local county extension office to request additional information or you can visit web site – www.tifton.uga.edu/pc-web.  The heifers will be available for viewing on May 26 or at the farm located just off GA 140 on Bells Ferry Road in Floyd County prior to the sale.

 

            The Georgia Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development (HERD) Program is in its ninth year at Calhoun.  The program is a service to Georgia Cattlemen.  It is sponsored by the Animal & Dairy Science Department of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine with the cooperation of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and with the hands-on assistance of Georgia County Extension Agents.

             On behalf of the consignors, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and the University of Georgia, I welcome you to the Calhoun HERD Sale on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 starting at 12:30pm.