If you attend the Kentucky Bull Evaluation Program sale on March 26th you will know rate of gain and expected progeny difference (EPD) for birth weight, weaning weight, and milking ability for every animal.

"The bulls also will be ultrasonically measured for rib eye area, back fat thickness, and amount of marbling, which is what we use to determine quality grades," said Darrh Bullock, Extension beef cattle specialist in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. "Several of the breeds will also have additional data on EPDs, the idea being to give buyers as much information as possible."

The bulls have been fed together at a single feedlot in Daviess County since mid-November. They were given a corn silage, wheatlage- based ration supplemented with corn and soybean meal to achieve desired gain. The program goal was a gain of 3.5 pounds per day during the evaluation period.

The bulls were required to meet stringent health requirements and minimums for certain EPDs to optimize quality.

"Quality of course has different aspects," said Bullock. "For instance, quality to the producer might be how good the calf is, whereas quality to the beef consumer might be how good that piece of meat is, and with this sale we have the ability to provide all that information."

The sale will be Monday, March 26th, 7:00 p.m. central time at the Muhlenberg County Agriculture and Convention Center in Central City.

Breeds include Angus, Brangus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, and Simmental. The sale is sponsored by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Beef Improvement Association, the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

For detailed information and consignment forms contact your county Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, or mail your request to Darrh Bullock, Bull Evaluation Program, 804 Garrigus Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546.