WIU Bull Testing Program

General Information

Facilities: The bulls were housed in straw-bedded 28' by 80' pens with a 28' by 28' shelter open to the south with a maximum of 12 bulls per pen. Individual feed consumption was recorded using Pinpointer units.

Testing Period: The bulls began their 112-day test on October 26 after a 21-day adjustment period and came off test on February 16.

Ration: The test ration was 31.25% corn, 32.5% pelleted soybean hulls, 28.75% pelleted corn gluten feed, 2.5% cottonseed hulls, and 5% vitamin-mineral premix with Rumensin. In addition, all were allowed access to round bales of grass hay.

Sale Catalog Data

On and Off Test Weights: The on test weight was the average of two consecutive weights taken on October 26 and 27. Off test weight was the average of weights taken on February 15 and 16.

ADG: Average daily gain over the entire test period. The test group ratio is also provided.

Feed/Gain: Feed efficiency is computed as the pounds of air-dry feed needed to produce a pound of weight gain. This figure is adjusted according to the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) guidelines for differences in weights of the bulls. The test group ratio is also provided.

Indexes: Calculated as: 40% ADG + 40% F/G + 10% IMF + 10% REA. An overall index across breeds is calculated for all bulls to compare their performance across breeds as well as a within breed index.

Frame Score: Based on hip height and adjusted to 365 days of age using BIF guidelines.

Pelvic Area: Measured in square centimeters and adjusted using BIF guidelines. This trait is correlated to a calving ease of the bull's daughters.

Scrotal Circumference: Measured in centimeters and adjusted using BIF guidelines. This trait is correlated to the bull's semen producing ability as well as the fertility and age at puberty of his offspring.

Rump Fat and 12th Rib Fat: Fat thickness in inches at the rump and between the 12th and 13th ribs measured using real-time ultrasound and adjusted using breed association or BIF guidelines.

Ribeye Area: Ribeye area in square inches between the 12th and 13th ribs measured using real-time ultrasound and adjusted using breed association or BIF guidelines. Adjusted ribeye area ratio is used to calculate the index.

Marbling: Marbling score estimated using real-time ultrasound and adjusted using breed association guidelines. Adjusted percent intramuscular fat is converted to a potential quality grade using BIF guidelines. Adjusted percent intramuscular fat ratio is used to calculate the index.

EPD's: Expected Progeny Differences as provided by the respective breed associations. The traits for which EPD information is provided varies from breed to breed. Also, all animals of the same breed may not have information provided on all traits. The EPD's should only be used to compare bulls within the same breed. A more detailed explanation of EPD's is included on page 17 in this catalog.

Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) (curly calf): Most bulls in the sale have pedigrees free of the curly calf gene. Potential carriers are being tested. See page 21 for more on AM.