**For Immediate Release**
54th Annual Beef Bull Performance Test Update
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 11-07-05
Goodwell, OK - Bulls consigned to the 54th Annual Beef
Bull Performance Test at Oklahoma Panhandle State University,
Goodwell, were officially weighed on test October 8, 2005.
The bulls have completed the first 28 days of the test.
Through the first period, junior
age bulls have an average daily gain (A.D.G.) of 4.86
lbs. and a weigh-per-day-of-age (W.D.A.) of 3.44 lbs.
The senior age bulls have an A.D.G. of 5.81 lbs. and
a W.D.A. of 3.03 lbs. At the end of the test, which runs
for 112 days, measurements will be made on the frame
size, scrotal circumference, semen characteristics, fat
thickness, rib eye area, and marbling in the rib eye.
Expected progeny differences (E.P.D.s) will be computed
on most of the bulls for calving ease, weaning weight,
yearling weight and milk projection for their heifer offspring.
This performance data is available for the producer’s
evaluation of their cattle and for use by prospective buyers
in their bull selection.
The top end of these bulls will be consigned to the 54th
Annual OPSU Performance Tested Bull Sale. This sale is
set for Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. (CST)
in the England Activity Building, University Farm, Goodwell,
OK.
The bulls are being cared for by OPSU student employees
Cody Cox, Chugwater, WY; Jonathan Bailey, Taloga, OK; Rebecca
Reich, Dayton, WY; and Bryant Weber, Woodward, OK.
In the junior age division, the top
pen of bulls is Leroy Mindemann’s pen of three
Angus with an A.D.G. of 7.13 lbs. One bull in this pen
is sired by Empirette Jr Upshot and two bulls are sons
of the Littlerobe Design 969 sire. In the senior age
division, the leading pen of bulls is the Gary McPherson
pen of three Angus with an A.D.G. of 6.51 lbs. All three
of these bulls are sons of the TC Foreman 016 sire.
The bulls’ diet consists of
dry rolled corn and oats, cottonseed hulls, alfalfa hay,
molasses and supplement. It is a 75:25 concentrate:roughage
diet containing approximately 13.5 percent crude protein.
Through 28 days, Leroy Mindemann has the most efficient
junior pen in converting feed to gain and the Gary McPherson
pen of three Angus is the most efficient senior pen.
Those interested in following the performance of the bulls
through the test can contact Gwen Martin, Animal Science
Department, OPSU (580) 349-1500 to be placed on the mailing
list to receive the performance reports.
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