Bull weight test.

[El_Putzo]

What does it cost to put a bull on a weight test? Just curious, I've heard of lots of people doing this, but is it productive for the small seedstock producer like I am trying to become? I know lots of you out there have done it, so give us the skinny, how does it work and what does it cost?

Thanks

 

[redangus]

The big guys say about $400 a head.

 

[Scotty]

Depends on the price of feed. 400 sounds right.


Scotty

 

[El_Putzo]

So how long are they on the test?

What kind of ration are they feeding?

 

[la4angus]

So how long are they on the test?

What kind of ration are they feeding?

You need to check with whoever is sponsering the test. It could be a high energy hot ration, a high roughage growing ration, it could be high energy drylot, or high roughage drylot ration, it could high energy on pasture or high roughage on pasture, or pasture only with a light grain ration.
Check with who is sponsering the test. They can vary.

 

[Frankie]

What does it cost to put a bull on a weight test? Just curious, I've heard of lots of people doing this, but is it productive for the small seedstock producer like I am trying to become? I know lots of you out there have done it, so give us the skinny, how does it work and what does it cost?

Thanks

What la4angus said. The price will vary from station to station, depending on lots of stuff. And the length of the test will also depend on the station; the one's I'm most familiar with run from 84 days to 112 days. I think the BIF actually recommends 120 days? Performance testing our Angus bulls has done a lot for us. We put our bulls on test alongside some of the best known breeders in the state and do very well. The test station mails out the results of tests to hundred of potential buyers. They have two bull sales a year that bring in more buyers than will ever come to my place to look at bulls. Even though there are some local bull buyers who don't really understand what happens at the test station, they are usually interested when they know we test our bulls at OBI.

Here's the link to the OBI station. You can read about how it works. I don't know of any test stations in MO, but I'll bet there are one or two. Or load them up and bring them to OBI. We're always glad to have more bulls.

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/exten/OBI/

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,

Bull Test,
Usually state run, or on-the-farm test.
On-the-Farm Test below.

You will need easy access to scales. You will want to make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. Decide wether you will hand feed or self-feed. Find out a local supplier of bulk custom mixed feeds, or 50# custom mixed feed bags. (This could be from a local CO-OP, Feed store, grain house.)
There are rations out there already. What I mean is if you go to your local CO-OP and ask them about what blends of feed they can supply for a bull gain test, they might already have a hot ration mix already setup to use. If you ask for a totally custom mix (at least in Virginia) you will need to buy it in 2.5 tons increments. (bulk that is) This is where something like the Apache Self-feeder/Creep feeder comes into play. Start them in gradually into the new feed type. Then after about 2 weeks pre-test, its time to start.
Have all you choice bulls selected. Ones that already are looking good, and are doing well. Good breeding and EPD's. Weigh all the bulls, measure standing height. Usual test times here in Virginia are 120 days. You will then want to divide that into a trimester and take your weights again at 40-day intervals. Towards the end of your on-the-farm test, you will want to schedule an ultrasound technician visit. AAA has a list of C.U.P. certified technician's available. You will want to schedule a visit from a vet for breeding soundness exam. Draw blood here for test for out-of-state transfers if needed. (TB and BANGS here). Let others know you are wrapping up an on-the-farm test. Take your final 120 days weights, height measurements. Figure out your feed conversion, ADG, Final weights, final height, and you will have your ultrasound data to input as well.