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A new way to study cow profitability?
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<blockquote data-quote="KNERSIE" data-source="post: 618844" data-attributes="member: 4353"><p>I've deliberately stayed out of the discussion for the last few pages to let it run a bit, but I'll throw another spanner in the works...</p><p></p><p>Animals that were actually tested to be efficient in a feedlot situation DIDN'T neccesarily proved to be as efficient as some of the lower performing animals in the feedlot on grass or rangeland. This studies is still an ongoing thing here in SA.</p><p></p><p>We have two official types of growth tests for young bulls, both are done by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The phase C test is an intensive feedlot test where the bulls go to bull test centres that is mostly privately owned, but managed by the ARC. The system is basically the same as the grow safe system someone mentioned, the go in aged 151-250 days old, have an adaptation period of 28 days and 84 days in the test so they spend a total of 112 days at the test centre and consume roughly 1 ton of feed. The ration is reasonably high in proteien (16%), but moderate in energy not to get the bulls fat. They are weighed every week and indexed with the entire population bulls of that breed that has been tested at that centre the last 10 years as the contemporary group. At the end of the test they receive a merit based on how they have performed, WW, ADG, FCR indexes as well as information from the ultrasound scan are used to determine this. The cost is very much in line with what it would cost to grow a bull out on bought feed by the bag so although more expensive than it would be if you used your own grain its not breaking the bank.</p><p></p><p>The extensive veld test is called the phase D test where a minimum of 10 bulls out of 2 sires are grown out on the farm at the rate and level of nutrition the owner decides on. The ARC will still come out and take the official weights and measurements at the start and finish of the test and they will calculate the data. This test is by far the more usefull one if done correctly. Typically bulls run on veld with just a phosphate and protein lick. From next year onwards I'll be doing this test and that was part of the reason I quit the two calving seasons, to get a bigger and more representative contemporary group. </p><p></p><p>I have 2 bulls in a phase C test at the moment, I have taken a few photos of the feeders and bulls with the magnetic keyfobs around their necks, but I fear that would not be appropriate to post photos of what can be considered intellectual property of the ARC on a public forum.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KNERSIE, post: 618844, member: 4353"] I've deliberately stayed out of the discussion for the last few pages to let it run a bit, but I'll throw another spanner in the works... Animals that were actually tested to be efficient in a feedlot situation DIDN'T neccesarily proved to be as efficient as some of the lower performing animals in the feedlot on grass or rangeland. This studies is still an ongoing thing here in SA. We have two official types of growth tests for young bulls, both are done by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The phase C test is an intensive feedlot test where the bulls go to bull test centres that is mostly privately owned, but managed by the ARC. The system is basically the same as the grow safe system someone mentioned, the go in aged 151-250 days old, have an adaptation period of 28 days and 84 days in the test so they spend a total of 112 days at the test centre and consume roughly 1 ton of feed. The ration is reasonably high in proteien (16%), but moderate in energy not to get the bulls fat. They are weighed every week and indexed with the entire population bulls of that breed that has been tested at that centre the last 10 years as the contemporary group. At the end of the test they receive a merit based on how they have performed, WW, ADG, FCR indexes as well as information from the ultrasound scan are used to determine this. The cost is very much in line with what it would cost to grow a bull out on bought feed by the bag so although more expensive than it would be if you used your own grain its not breaking the bank. The extensive veld test is called the phase D test where a minimum of 10 bulls out of 2 sires are grown out on the farm at the rate and level of nutrition the owner decides on. The ARC will still come out and take the official weights and measurements at the start and finish of the test and they will calculate the data. This test is by far the more usefull one if done correctly. Typically bulls run on veld with just a phosphate and protein lick. From next year onwards I'll be doing this test and that was part of the reason I quit the two calving seasons, to get a bigger and more representative contemporary group. I have 2 bulls in a phase C test at the moment, I have taken a few photos of the feeders and bulls with the magnetic keyfobs around their necks, but I fear that would not be appropriate to post photos of what can be considered intellectual property of the ARC on a public forum. [/QUOTE]
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