In February of 2020, beef producers from Marshall, Calloway, Graves and Livingston counties participated in a two-part Bull Value Assessment Program or "BVAP." This University of Kentucky Extension Program encourages producers to reevaluate how they make bull buying decisions. Navigating complicated sale catalogs and evaluating Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) can be difficult and the auction itself can be very intimidating. The BVAP program provides a no risk, worry free environment where producers can practice evaluating, selecting and purchasing bulls at auction. 

The BVAP is a two-session program. The first night of the program consisted of a classroom session where participants considered purchasing a bull for their herd. 94% of the participants indicated the classroom program was either helpful or very helpful to their operations. After the classroom session, producers were given a scenario similar to their own cattle operations and a mock sale catalog. Their homework was to prepare for the second session of the program where they would attend a mock bull sale. It was evident that the producers took this practice seriously as 70% indicated spending 30 minutes- 2 hours (or more) preparing for the sale.

               At the second session, the producers put their newly acquired skills to work as they competed in the auction simulation. The live auctioneer took bids as the producers purchased their mock bulls which were being projected on a screen. At the end of the auction UK specialists reviewed the purchases and announced the producers who made the statistically best buys. 94% of the producers indicated the auction portion of the program was either helpful or very helpful to their operations.

Producers also left these comments on their written surveys:
- "Seeing different views always causes one to think more and review his own processes."
-"Very educational. Really enjoyed getting to see things "in action" with the mock auction."
- "Definitely beneficial- really assisted with understanding real world usage of EPDs."
 - “The assessment was fun. I liked the interaction."

Due to the great success of the BVAP, the participating agents have decided to continue to collaborate in to offer more quality beef programs for their producers in the future.