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Tracking genetic progress through testing

published: September 18th 2009

Measuring for weaning and yearling weight has been around a long time in the cattle business. While they are still important measurements, many other genetic traits are now being measured and compared--- all to track genetic progress and provide increased profit potential.
    Central bull test stations have been compiling that kind of information for decades, while providing a forum for purebred breeders to compare their genetics and for commercial cattlemen to select from a wide range of genetics.
    “Operators at these stations compare individual performance of potential herd sires by feeding large numbers of similar age bulls at a single location, allowing meaningful comparisons to be made between individual bulls. Typically, two or more ratios are combined, resulting in a composite index that is usually specific to that particular test station. Traits typically used in the test station indices include test average daily gain, adjusted yearling weight, and weight per day of age. Other traits may be included, depending upon specific breed or test station guidelines. Remember to compare ratios or indices only between bulls from a specific test. No comparisons can be made between tests starting at different times or between different test stations”, says Bill Cook with the Noble Foun-dation’s Ag team.
    Bull tests in addition to comparing genetics, provide a service  to cattlemen. Many small breeders don’t have the numbers to have a contemporary group of any size. In addition, large and small breeders have found they don’t have the facilities, land, time, or labor needed to test bulls.
    Another aspect provided by a central test is visibility. Bulls are seen by generally more folks and the exposure provides an avenue to gain customers and increase market share.
    In addition, tests today provide a wide range of services including ultrasounding, collecting feed efficiency data, sharing data with breed associations, fertility testing and marketing.
    At the recent Simbrah Long Range Planning Committee Meeting, it was discussed that a list needed to be compiled of bull testing facilities and published for Simbrah breeders. Following is a list that is by no means all inclusive, as there are many bull tests throughout the country. Breeders are encouraged to talk to their local extension agents and other seedstock breeders to find a bull test facility that best suits their operation.
Bull Test Station Contacts:
    Rio Grande Valley Beef Improvement Association, Linn, Texas, Brad Cowan, Hidalgo County Agricultural Extension Agent, 956/383-1026
    San Angelo Feedyard, San Angelo, Texas, Glenn Polhemus, 325/468-3011
    Beef Development Center of Texas, Millican, Texas  936/825-8400
    The Luling Foundation Farm, Luling, Texas  830/875-2438 Fax 830/875-3138
    NorTex Cattle Co., LLC Mark Allen, Gen. Mgr., Vernon, Texas  940/552-0022 Cell 940/357-1369 Fax 940/552-0023
    Mississippi Carcass Performance Bull Test, Lucedale, Mississippi, Mark Smith 601/799-1038
    Kilgore College Bull Test Center Bob Young- Kilgore College Farm, Overton, Texas  903/834-6255 .
    North Central Texas College Beef Cattle Evaluation Center, Gaine-sville, Texas, 940/668-4217, ext. 353
    Central Texas Bull Test, Donald Parrish 4715 CR 523 Evant, Texas 254/471-5742
    Conners State College Bull Test, Conners, Oklahoma, 918/463-6304
    Oklahoma Beef, Inc., Bull Performance Testing Program, Stillwater, Oklahoma 405/744-9287
    Bull Performance Test, Danny Coombs, LSU Ag Center’s Dean Lee Re-search Station, Alexandria, Louisiana 318/473-6528.
    South Mississippi Gain on Forage Bull Test, Richard Hay, Tylertown, Mississippi, 601/876-5204
    Texas Tech University Jay Johnson, Department of Animal & Food Science Lubbock, Texas  806/742-4214, Fax: 806/742-2335
    Hinds Community Col-lege Bull Test, Raymond, Mississippi, Kenny Barnes, 601/857-3351