This fall, for the first time since 1990, the College of Agricultural Sciences will hold a beef cattle sale as a combination educational experience for students, fund-raiser, and opportunity to share Penn State genetics with other beef producers.

Angus breeders from across the East are expected to attend the event, called the “Penn State Proud! Beef Cattle Sale,” on November 7 at the Beef-Sheep Center off Orchard Road. Approximately 50 cows will be sold, according to beef unit manager Don Nichols. Many of the cows will have calves at their side and heifers will be bred to top AI sires. Very few bulls will be sold.

Although the sale is expected to generate more than $100,000, Nichols believes the biggest benefit is to students. “We are developing students who will be qualified to merchandise cattle,” he says. “They will be shown marketing techniques and the subtle things we do to prepare animals for sale. They’ll meet people in the business and hopefully make merchandising contacts that might help them later.”

Nichols hopes this year’s sale will be the first of many held at regular intervals at Penn State. “Sales help us to control our cattle inventory, and they allow us to offer our genetics to other Angus breeders throughout the country,” he says. “With the numbers of cattle we have and our long-range plan, we should get back to having sales every two or three years. Sales attract students and help the breeders. They have a domino effect—if we are doing things right, they will promote our college.”

For more information about the beef sale, call 814-863-0831 or visit das.psu.edu/beefsale/ on the Web.