The 13th Annual BCIP Butner Performance Tested Bull Sale was held Saturday, January 11, 1997 at Granville County Sale Arena in Oxford, NC. There was great participation in the Sale this year with a large number of cattlemen attending. The enthusiastic group of cattlemen came to the sale ready to make a selection from the outstanding group of bulls that were being offered. Seventy-one bulls were sold for a total of $98,300 with the average price being $1,384.50.
The Simmental breed had an excellent year as they topped the Sale by averaging $2,260 on the five lots sold. Shade Tree Simmental, Lucama consigned the top selling Simmental bull, Lot 108. This homozygous black Cherithbrook Mr. Abe son sold for $3,100. He was purchased by Larry Isley, Snow Camp and Dennis Simmons, Elon College. The second high selling Simmental bulls were Lot 113 consigned by Tony Matthis of Clinton and Lot 117 consigned by Vernon Wiliamson of Yanceyville. Both of these lots sold for $2,700. They were purchased by Travis Askew, Jamesville and Donald Edwards, Louisburg, respectively.
Fifty-seven Angus bulls sold for an average of $1,393. Thirty of these bulls were in the above average birth weight group. These bulls averaged $1,376 with a range of $800 to $2,550. The top selling Angus was Lot 88 consigned by Ray and Debbie Williams, of Riverchase Angus, Kinston. This DHD Traveler 6807 son sold for $2,550 to Byron T. Burlingham, Greenville. Second high selling Angus was Lot 90 consigned by Jason Fussell, Rose Hill. Robbie Tate, Virginia bid $2,350 on this Rito 9FB3 of 5H11 Fulback son. Twenty-seven Angus qualified for the below average birth weight group. This group averaged $1,411 with a range of $825 to $2,200. Lot 56 consigned by SAS Institute, Inc. led this group with a bid of $2,200. L.E. Herman, Taylorsville, purchased this GAR Precision 1680 son. Kelly Gentry, Roxboro was the buyer of the second high selling below average Angus, Lot 42. Steve McMahan, Mocksville consigned this RR Traveler 5204 son. Six Charolais sold for an average of $716.66. Lot 93 was the top selling Charolais, consigned by Billy Bowers of Lexington. This DSF Matrix 015 PLD ET son was purchased by Elvin York Jr., Ramseur for $850.
Three Gelbvieh bulls sold for an average of $1,100. Lot 103 consigned by David McClary, Evergreen was the top seller at $1,300. This BLR Flying High Cadillac son went to John Hobbs, Hertford. The remaining bulls sold for $1,000 and were consigned by Bernard Lennon, Lot 101 and Brant McClary, Lot 102 both of Evergreen. Lot 101 was purchased by James Norris of Whiteville and William Vernon, Milton purchased Lot 102.
Virginia producers purchased five of the lots with the remaining bulls selling to North Carolina breeders.
This test and sale is sponsored by the NC Beef Cattle Improvement Program and is a cooperative effort involving the NC Cattlemen's Association, and the NC Agriculture Research Service. The Sale was managed by the NC Cattlemen's Association. This years' auctioneer was Col. E.B. Harris, Warrenton, NC.