Over two dozen bidders came out April 25 for a chance to own one of 12 Belgian-cross fillies and five Belgian and Belgian-cross mares available this year at the 5th Annual North American Ranching Information Council (NAERIC) auction of incentive registered yearlings at the Rutgers University’s Cook College Campus in Brunswick, N.J., on April 25. The campus Round House was filled to capacity with onlookers as auctioneer Colonel Dennis Cassidy led the event.

The fillies and mares, purchased last August in North Dakota, have been under the care of students in the animal science department, closely guided by Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVN, associate professor of animal science. While at Rutgers, the fillies and mares took part in research studies, including a metabolism study designed to compare the effects of feeding low (6%) versus high (22%) sugar content hay on glucose and insulin responses as well as fermentation in the large intestine.

This year the auction netted $15,000, which will help fund future student research projects as well as purchase a new group of fillies this summer and pay for boarding costs during their stay at the Equine Science Center. Sponsors such as the McCrane Foundation, Wyeth, and Nutrena Cargill also help with expenses.

The top-selling filly at the auction this year was RU Cinnabon, a red roan sabino overo which brought in $2,500, followed by RU Mikaela, a chestnut overo which sold for $1,800. A 5-year-old solid sorrel overo mare, RU Chicane, loaned to the program last fall by owner Nancy Rossi, was auctioned for $3,500. Chicane, one of the first weanlings auctioned at the Equine Science Center in 1999, will be heading to work at a local handicapped riding program