For thirty plus years, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has provided third party verified performance bulls through our Symbol of Excellence Performance Bull and Heifer Sales. Annually, we invite seedstock producers from across the state and beyond to test their genetic bull power against others. And in the end, bulls that make the three sales at Bloomfield, Dunlap and Knoxville better express their prepotent potential to sire more pounds of calf and more. This group of 39 Bloomfield sale bulls started as a group of 57. Yes, that’s right, when you purchase a bull from this year’s sale, you can take comfort in the fact that we’ve already started the selection sort before you get to the auction. In addition to being registered with a breed association, ICA Symbol of Excellence bulls must pass the muster of the following qualifications during and after the commercial feedyard test phase.
• Minimum ADG ratio of 90. • Minimum 1,100-pound adjusted yearling weight. • Minimum 11.5-square inch ultrasound ribeye area measurement. • Must pass a breeding soundness exam with a minimum 32-centimeter scrotal circumference measurement. • Must rank in the upper 80% for average daily gain amongst their breed contemporary group.
We’re developing herdsires, not fat steers... While comparative analysis is important, we strive to balance actual performance on-test with the more important economic factors of bull potency and longevity. The sale group of yearling bulls averaged 3.88 pounds of gain per day on test while the fall bulls averaged 3.61 pounds per day on test. More important than the comparisons on gain within the group, these bulls are range and pasture ready for spring/summer service - both reproductively and structurally. Pedigree performance matters… Take a look at the performance stacked into the pedigrees for the bulls offered for sale. In the yearling bulls alone, nearly half of the bulls rank in the upper 25% of their breed for WW & YW EPDs with many of these same bulls being similarly ranked within their breed for calving ease and birth weight EPD’s. And if you’re looking for females… We’re offering a select group of pedigreed Angus, Simmental and Simmental Angus open females. Similar to the bulls, the heifers were developed on a ration to grow and prepare them for solid reproduction. Additionally, pedigrees are performance oriented and these heifers will be ready to take home and stick into your next set of replacement females . This year’s set of performance oriented bulls and heifers will no doubt put production, performance and profit into your operation. We have taken great pride in developing and sorting this set for your needs and we look forward to your success to come as a result of your selection. A big thank you to Amstutz Cattle Company, Terry Chapman and the Vet Medical Center of Williamsburg for their support and work on developing the yearling bulls, fall bulls and open heifers respectively. From an animal health standpoint we are greatly appreciative of the consultation from Audubon Manning Veterinary Clinic and the pharmaceutical support from ICA President’s Council member - Zoetis. And of course, we need to thank the consignors that have again offered such high-quality seedstock. Whether it’s pedigrees represented, feed and ration, development strategies or maintaining the best overall health of all the cattle historically, we are indebted to our partners.
Sincerely,
Matt Deppe,CEO Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (515) 468-7785 On behalf of Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Ruble Cattle Services we would like to welcome you to the Bloomfield Symbol of Excellence Bull & Heifer Sale. We have a great offering this year of Angus, Charolais & Simmental cattle. The ICA is one of the leading state cattlemen’s groups in the country. This sale and organization are of the highest reputation. We are excited to be working with the ICA as sale managers. As Matt mentioned, these bulls have jumped through many hoops and they come from several programs and a large cow base. These bulls have been developed properly and you will be impressed when you come to the sale. If you can’t make the sale this year, please contact the sale management or any of sale marketing team for assistance. New this year we are offering online bidding. Please make sure to register prior to the sale. We look forward to helping you find your next herd bull or replacement female.
Sincerely,
Jeremie Ruble Ruble Cattle Services (406) 581-7940 rublecattleservices@gmail.com 2
Symbol of Excellence