The Clemson University Cooperative Extension 46th Annual Bull Sale was a huge success. A large crowd of new and repeat buyers was on hand for the 46th annual sale, and the buyers and bidders appreciated the quality of the bulls in the offering. This year we offered bulls of various breeds, including Angus, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental, SimAngus, and Balancers. The bulls posted tremendous performance, as evidenced by the performance data in the catalog. The performance of these bulls was backed up by a powerful EPD profile geared to improve commercial cattle herds in just about every scenario. On February 5, 2022, the bulls were sold at the T. Ed Garrison Arena. We enjoyed an ‘in-person sale,’ and the enthusiasm was great. The excitement in the sale arena was also evident on DVAuction online bidding, and telephone bids were strong!
This year the sale was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Larry W. Olson. Dr. Olson was a pioneer in starting the Clemson Forage Bull Test at the Edisto Research and Education Center upon his hire in May of 1980 and later ran the Clemson Bull Test as well. He was a longtime member of the National Beef Improvement Federation and served on many committees over his career. Dr. Olson assisted and helped cattlemen throughout his career by establishing on-farm testing programs and sales. His commitment to excellence in performance testing continues to drive our quest for beef improvement today.
The top-selling bull was lot 18, a powerful Angus bull that posted a 1377lb yearling weight and a beautiful suite of EPDs to back him up. This scale pounder sold for $7,250 and was consigned by Yaupon Land and Cattle of Inman, South Carolina, and was bought by David Landreth of Simpsonville, South Carolina. Right on the heels of lot 18 was the lot 4 Angus bull consigned by Broadway Cattle Company of Monroe, North Carolina. It did not take long for folks to find this powerful son of SydGen Enhance. When the dust settled, he fetched a high bid of $6750 from Lee Shaw of Newberry, South Carolina. Tied for second high seller overall and the high selling SimAngus was lot 64, consigned by Shuffler Farms of Union Grove, North Carolina. When the hammer dropped on this powerful son of KCF Bennett Assertive, a final bid of $6750 was realized and sold to Wayne Moss of Cashiers, North Carolina.
In the Simmental division, Woodlawn LLC of Clarksville, Georgia, saw their lot 79 bull bring $6,000. This performance stud pounded the scales with a 1447lb yearling weight. The buyers were very impressed by the lot 51 bull of Laurel Ridge Farms of Walhalla, South Carolina, in the Red Angus division. This powerful and thick 3SCC Domain A163 son commanded a $4500 bid and was sold to David Landreth of Simpsonville, South Carolina.
The Balancer and Hereford division and offering had outstanding bulls go through the ring, and buyers also snatched them up. The Lot 5 Hereford bull was consigned by Montgomery Farm of Blacksburg, South Carolina. This complete son of KCF, Bennett Homeward, commanded a $4500 bid from Myles Burdette of Canon, Georgia. Close behind was a deep soggy Balancer bull consigned by Misty Hill Farm of Walhalla, South Carolina. He sold as lot 84 and was a son of Tehama Tahoe B767 this November; the yearling was sold to Susan Taylor of Pelzer, South Carolina.
In a fast and snappy sale, 40 bulls sold for an average of $4526 per lot. The 17 heifers offered up averaged $1367. The high-selling open heifer was consigned by Bar H Cattle Co. of Gray Court, South Carolina. She was well appreciated for her quality as the final bid was realized at $2,000 from Jeff Davis of Williamston, South Carolina.
On behalf of Clemson University, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Clemson Bull Test program, we thank our consignors, buyers, and bidders for their dedication to excellence in genetic advancement within the beef industry!
Overall, the bulls and heifers were sold in Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Volume buyers of the sale were Creek Plantation of Martin, South Carolina, Wayne Moss of Cashiers, North Carolina, and Arkansas Land and Cattle of Lake Village, Arkansas.
The 46th Annual Sale was sold by Col. Dale Stith of Mays Lick, Kentucky. Please mark your calendars for the first Saturday in February 2023 for another powerful offering of cutting-edge genetics.
Submitted by Steven E. Meadows, Ph.D., Clemson Extension Beef Specialist
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
