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BULL DEVELOPMENT AND TESTS
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FEED
The bulls have all been fed together except the two year olds. This year we have the bulls in a 20 acre pasture for exercise and development while still feeding a growing ration. The ration consists of ground corn, ground hay, silage, and a protein supplement. Our goal is to average 3.3 pounds A.D.G. We believe that fat bulls are not practical. The 3.3# per day is enough growth for a group, knowing some will exceed this rate due to genetics or due to the bull's ability to consume more feed than others
(temperament, environment, etc.) The average daily gain will be available sale day. |
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Vaccinations
and Wormer
The yearling
bulls have been vaccinated with 8-way, Cattle Master 4, Nasalgen,
wormed, and poured with Cylence.
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Bull Tests
Fertility Test -
All bulls selling will have passed a comprehensive fertility test by Dan Love, DVM. This includes collection, sperm count, morphology, motility, palpation, and scrotal circumference measurement. The scrotal circumference is directly proportional to the age of puberty in that bull's daughters. The larger the scrotal size, the earlier the puberty. As of now there is no adjustment for age, but 32 cm for a one year old and 36 cm for a two year old is a good standard. Remember that a nine month old bull will have a good scrotal size at one year if he measures 29 cm.
Scrotal measurements will be available sale day.
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P.A.P. or Pulmonary Artery Pressure Test
The P.A.P. testing is done by Dr. Tim Holt of
Fort Collins, Colorado. P.A.P
is an indication of a bulls genetic ability to tolerate high
altitudes.
The higher the P.A.P. score the lower the altitude the bull should be maintained at. Bulls that develop brisket may or may not have a genetic problem, but may be the result of an environmental influence such as sickness, feed, or stress. Dr. Holt recommends that bulls with a P.A.P. score of greater than 48 be used at
elevations lower than 6,000 feet.
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Trich and PI-BVD Tests:
All "Pot of Gold" bulls sold will have been tested for
trichomoniasis and PI-BVD and found negative. All bulls traveling to Utah are
required to have one negative trichomoniasis test before entering the
state.
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Ultrasound Carcass Data
Real time ultrasound (RTU) has been used in
the beef industry for several decades as a non-invasive method to
determine body composition. RTU
evaluates body composition by measuring relevant characteristics such
as ribeye area, fat thickness and intramuscular fat percentage (i.e.,
marbling). Research has
shown that RTU can be used to predict carcass data within 0.75 inches
squared for ribeye area, and within 0.10 inches for fat thickness.
RTU images taken on the live animal as early as weaning can be
used to predict carcass traits.
(This was from an article written by Dr. Denny Crews, taken from
Gelbvieh World, Jan. 2003 used with permission).
Carcass data available sale day.
Click here for more detailed information on
Ultrasound.
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