Bull Test Open House
December 8, 2011
SPRING HILL, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (MTREC) will host the UT Bull Test Station Open House on Thursday, December 8. Attendees can observe all 190 bulls that will be participating in both the Senior and Junior performance tests. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided.
The Open House will begin at 9:30 a.m. and include an educational program featuring presentations from university and industry experts. Topics discussed at the program will include the use of DNA technology in accurately identifying superior seed stock, new technologies in improving reproductive efficiency, properly matching sire genetics with cow herds and measuring genetic trends and progress realized at the station. There will also be a live demonstration on freeze branding beef cattle for identification.
Following the program and demonstration, attendees can view all the bulls on test. The 84-day test monitors weight gain performance, as well as frame size and reproductive soundness. Bulls who meet qualifications in average daily gain and yearling weight will be sold in a public auction at MTREC. The Senior Bull Test Sale is scheduled for January 19, 2012. The Junior Bull Test Sale will take place on March 8, 2012.
The Open House will conclude with an industry-sponsored lunch provided by various agribusinesses. For more information, including directions to MTREC, call 931-486-2129.
The UT Bull Test Program is a cooperative effort between UT Extension, UT AgResearch, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Association.
The Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center is one of 10 outdoor laboratories operated by UT AgResearch, a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.

Directions
Speakers
- Tonya Amen, Pfizer Animal Genetics
- Jeff Helgren, MTREC Herdsman
- David Kirkpatrick, Beef Extension Specialist
- Justin Rhinehart, Beef Extension Specialist
- Neal Schrick, Professor and AS Department Head
- Kevin Thompson, MTREC Director
Contact
- Dr. F. David Kirkpatrick, UTIA Department of Animal Science, 865‐974‐3190,
fkirkpat@utk.edu - Ginger Trice Rowsey, UTIA Marketing & Communications Services, 731‐425‐4768,
gtrice@tennessee.edu

