Colorado State University Seedstock Team to Hold 35th Annual Bull Sale

Colorado State University’s student Seedstock Merchandising Team will hold a joint bull and female sale with Leachman Cattle of Colorado on March 25-26. The CSU Seedstock Team, a select group of eight undergraduate students, selects, develops and prepares CSU cattle for an annual production sale. The students also participate in all aspects of the joint sale.

The Seedstock Team meets weekly, and students receive university credit for their efforts. Students work in small committees for all aspects of the sale, including animal management and preparation, performance data collection and management, marketing and promotion and sale logistics.

“The students become intricately involved with the production, management and sale of seedstock cattle produced by CSU,” said Jason Ahola, associate professor of Animal Sciences and team advisor.

In addition to overseeing the annual sale, the Seedstock Team also represents the CSU animal sciences program at several industry events. Recently, students participated in the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association mid-winter meeting and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s annual convention in Denver. A pen of Hereford bulls was also shown by the team at the National Western Stock Show in January.

Throughout the year, students learn about the U.S. beef seedstock industry via hands-on participation. But the ultimate goal of the Seedstock Team is to expand students’ skills to include teamwork, interpersonal communications and leadership.

“We’re trying to produce students who are prepared to enter the beef industry after graduation and apply their knowledge toward challenges confronting seedstock and commercial cow/calf production,” Ahola said.

For more than 30 years, CSU has produced Angus and Hereford yearling bulls from its 180-head purebred cowherd. Since 2010, CSU has jointly sold bulls and heifers in partnership with Leachman Cattle of Colorado. Collectively, 600 bulls and 100 females including Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolais and Stabilizer composites will be offered during the 2011 sale at CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center (ARDEC) facility, 4482 East County Road 56, Fort Collins.

For more information about the CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team or the joint sale, contact Jason Ahola at (970) 491-3312, jason.ahola@colostate.edu or visit www.ansci.colostate.edu.

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