Local cattle producers should mark their calendars for the 12th annual Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development (HERD) sale May 30 at 12:30 p.m. at the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center Livestock Pavilion in Calhoun, Ga.

This annual event will feature approximately 110 bred heifers that have completed the University of Georgia’s HERD program. These high-quality replacement heifers were delivered to the University of Georgia’s Experiment Station in Floyd County last December by consignors from throughout the state. Only 110 of the original 174 heifers that were consigned last winter will sell on May 30, since the consignors have the option of taking their heifers back home at the end of the program.

Each heifer that went through the program was evaluated for pelvic area, frame score, disposition, muscle score, reproductive tract maturity score and structure. They have also been dewormed and vaccinated following a very sound vaccination program. Many of the heifers are AI bred (artificially inseminated) to HA Program 5652, an easy-calving Angus sire. Heifers that are not AI bred are bred to easy-calving Angus bulls at the Experiment Station.

This sale will be an excellent source for some quality replacement heifers to build anyone’s herd. The HERD program is a cooperative effort of the University of Georgia Extension Service, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and cattle producers statewide.

There is also a cattle management workshop planned for May 29, the evening before the sale. For more information about signing up for the workshop or a copy of the sale catalog about the heifers in this program, call the Walker County Extension Office at 706-638-2548 or stop by the UGA Experiment Station in Floyd County to take a look at them.

Norman Edwards is coordinator of Walker County Extension Service.