Spring Break
Bulls take university test
Deirdre Quinn
Issue date: 12/1/03 Section: News
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Bull testing is a program offered by the university to beef producers and breeders. It has occurred for over 30 years and tests bulls over a 112-day period.
This year‚ on Oct. 6 and 7‚ area cattle breeders delivered 67 bulls of various breeds‚ including Angus and Limousin beef‚ to the university. The bulls were divided into six different pens.
During their stay at the university farm‚ the bulls were compared to other bulls that were brought in for testing. After testing‚ they are sold to cattle producers.
According to Ken Nimrick‚ assistant agriculture professor‚ a wide range of tests are performed on the animals.
"Extensive production information will be available on these bulls to help breeders improve their herds through known genetic information," Nimrick stated in a press release. "This information will include average daily gain, individual feed efficiency, scrotal circumference, ribeye area, fat depth and marbling score (subjective observation of fat distribution).
"Plus (expected progeny differences) data for traits such as birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight will be available to prospective customers."
Nimrick said they use a computerized feeding system to record the exact amount of feed consumed.
He added the bulls are constantly weighed. The bulls get ultrasounds‚ which allow the workers to judge the amount of muscle mass on a particular bull.
"Ultrasound is a non-invasive way to look at carcass character‚" Nimrick said.
According to Nimrick‚ students are very influential in the bull testing process. Students are hired to care for the bulls and weigh them. Agriculture classes also visit the animals for class projects.
When it is time to sell the bulls‚ students participate in marketing and advertising campaigns. A catalog documenting the progress of the bulls also is created for the breeders.
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