Grazing Cattle for Wiregrass Research and Extension Center

Auburn University's Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station is seeking a grazing cattle contract for the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama. The procurement involves acquiring 50 head of crossbred stocker steers with specific requirements, including being #1 grade, weighing between 450-525 pounds, not exceeding one-eighth Brahman, and pre-conditioned for 25-30 days. The cattle will be used for fall and winter grazing trials lasting approximately 150 days from mid-December 2022 to April 2023, with steers grazing on cool-season annual grass mixtures including rye, oats, triticale, crimson clover, and brassica. Bidders must propose a price per pound gained while the cattle graze on Auburn University property, with compensation calculated based on average weight gain less 2% shrinkage. The bid (AU-2023-0000602) was released on November 29, 2022, with proposals due by December 7, 2022, at 10:30 AM CST through the JAGGAER Sourcing Event Portal, and bid openings will be conducted via a public conference call. Cattle will be weighed on certified scales upon arrival and departure, and the successful bidder will be responsible for death losses up to 2% of total weight.

The procurement encourages participation from small and small disadvantaged businesses (SB & SDB), with the university committed to developing diverse supplier opportunities. The contract may be extended to other eligible entities, including Auburn University at Montgomery and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, with each entity capable of generating its own purchase orders and payments. Bidders are required to submit a completed and notarized vendor disclosure statement and, if they have an office or employees in Alabama, must provide an E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding. The Wiregrass Research and Extension Center reserves the right to inspect and reject cattle that do not meet specified requirements or appear chronically ill. Payment terms are set on a net 30 basis, and while a specific award value is not explicitly stated, the compensation will be determined by the negotiated price per pound of cattle weight gain. The stocking rate is set at 2.0 head per acre, with supplemental feed provided only when forage is limited, indicating a structured and controlled research-oriented approach to the cattle grazing contract.