03/13/18 

HAYS, Kan.- One of the most difficult tasks for any cattle operation is identifying genetics which complement their unique environment. The upcoming Fort Hays State University Round Up  Bull and Heifer Sale will be offering sound, functional, easy-fleshing cattle with a genetic profile proven to succeed on the central plains.

The sale will be on Monday, March 19, at the Riegel Building on the FHSU Farm. The live auction will begin at 1 p.m. following a complimentary lunch at noon. Cattle will be available for viewing that morning.

The sale will feature elite Mann Ranch bulls that consist of the very best in terms of Red Angus and SimAngus genetics. They excel in feed efficiency, performance and phenotype. There will also be an offering of Tiger Hybrid bulls and heifers raised in the Fort Hays State program that are equally impressive.

New to this year’s sale is a special offering of registered fall-bred heifers and spring females from the heart of the Mann Ranch and FHSU program. There will also be groups of five commercial Red Angus females offered.

Cattle will be available for viewing on Sunday afternoon, March 18. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. with a meal and seminar following at the Robbins Center on the FHSU campus. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Speakers will be Gary Fike, director of commercial marketing for the American Red Angus Association, and Rick Pfortmiller from Ingenity® Beef. Fike will discuss the use of Red Angus genetics to improve profitability in commercial operations. Pfortmiller will speak about the use of genomics in the beef cattle industry. RSVP for the evening reception is not required but would be appreciated. To RSVP please call the FHSU Department of Agriculture at 785-628-6891.

The FHSU Round Up Sale is the product of a working partnership between FHSU and the Mann Ranch. Bulls from the Mann Ranch have been developed at the beef unit since they were weaned.

“It’s our feeling that as part of the institution of higher learning, preparing students to go into the agriculture industry in the central plains, we want every student to have that hands-on opportunity,” said Chair of the Department of Agriculture, Clyde Cranwell.

Department of Agriculture students have been involved in every aspect of the sale preparation, from the time these bulls and heifers were on the cow, to clipping and torching, picturing, videoing and semen checking and every step in between. The FHSU Round Up Sale is truly a hands-on learning experience for students. 

The cattle have been videoed and will be available to be viewed on DVAuction.com prior to the sale. For more information on the upcoming FHSU Round Up Sale, contact beef division herdsman Mike Stoppel at 785-445-2671.