The ninth annual Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development (H.E.R.D.) Sale is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27. The sale starts at 12:30 p.m. in Calhoun at the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center Livestock Pavilion.

This year the sale will include approximately 95 safe-in-calf heifers. Each heifer has been evaluated and developed at the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center. The heifers were bred to low calving ease Angus Bulls — a large percentage of the heifers sold will be safe-in-calf to Mytty In Focus. This is a good opportunity to purchase some really nice heifers that have been thoroughly evaluated for reproductive soundness and disposition that should be productive in your herd for many years.

The heifers were entered in the HERD Program in December 2008 from area producers of commercial and purebred cattle. The heifers were required to have a birth date between Dec. 1, 2007 and Feb. 28, 2008. The heifers were fed for a moderate rate of gain which should result in their reaching the target weight (65% of mature weight) by 15 months of age. Each heifer has been evaluated for pelvic area, frame score, disposition, reproductive tract maturity score, and structure. They were artificially inseminated followed by 45 days with multiple low calving ease Angus clean-up bulls.

The complete evaluation of the heifers is available in the sale catalog. Contact the Extension Office to get a copy of the catalog or you can visit www.tifton.uga.edu/pc-web. The heifers will be available for viewing May 26 at the Livestock Pavilion or at the farm located just off Ga. 140 on Bells Ferry Road in Rome prior to the sale.

Norman Edwards is coordinator of Walker County Extension Service.