This Buck Test program is designed to standardize environmental conditions to evaluate and quantify individual buck performance in the harsh southeastern US, with a primary emphasis on natural parasite resistance and growth.

Registered and commercial bucks are eligible for the test. Bucks must be born between 12/15/23 and 3/1/24 and weaned by 5/1/24 to participate.

We encourage you to consider consigning your bucks to the UF Buck Test and Sale. Please contact us for further information or to consign animals to this program. Bucks must be pre-registered by May 6, 2024, to enroll in the program.

Important dates:

• March 18, 2024 8:00am – Online Registration Portal Opens
• May 6, 2024 – Pre-registration Deadline
• May 18, 2024 – Buck delivery/arrival to UF sheep unit
• June 6, 2024 – Start of 84-day gain test
• August 29, 2024 – End of 84-day gain test
• September 20-21, 2024 – Buck sale (online via Willoughby Livestock Sales)

Registration will open at 8 AM Monday, March 18, 2024. 2024 Buck Test registration has closed.

The UF Buck Test Sale and Ram Test Sale will be on September 21, 2024. In conjunction with the sales will be the UF Small Ruminant Short Course beginning on Friday, September 20, 2024. Producers, extension specialists, researchers, students, and allied industry members are invited to attend this educational event.

Attending the Small Ruminant Short Course is not required to come to the sale.

Sale Format

The 2024 sale will be conducted online through Willoughby Livestock Sales. It will be open for 24 hours, beginning September 20 at 11 AM and closing September 21 at 11 AM. 

Bucks and rams will be eligible for viewing on September 20-21 at the UF/IFAS Horse Teaching Unit, 1934 SW 63rd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32608.

Clay Whitehead
Sheep Unit Manager & Program Coordinator
(904) 796-0441
jacobcwhitehead@ufl.edu

Brittany Diehl
Clinical Assistant Professor
Small Ruminant Extension Specialist
Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine Service
(352) 294-4387
bn.diehl@ufl.edu