NCBTA kicks off 31st year with 107 bulls, new website

Colorado

The Northeast Colorado Bull Test Association kicked off its 31st annual performance test receiving 107 bulls from 29 seedstock producers--a strong showing representing three states and six different breeds.

"NCBTA is starting the new test year with more bulls than last year and a new website," said David Colburn, Logan County Extension agent and NCBTA test coordinator. The site, available at NCBTA.net, includes information about the breeders, performance data and the NCBTA protocols.

Hosting for the new website is provided by AgTown Technologies of Greeley.

"NCBTA encourages the use of breeding stock with proven performance and production records in both registered and commercial herds. Our goal is to gather and compile the performance and production records of cattle on test for the purpose of identifying genetically superior beef cattle," said Colburn. "There are few other facilities where cattlemen can see and evaluate bulls from multiple breeds and multiple producers being tested on an equal footing," Colburn added.

For the past 30 years the NCBTA has been offering the top performing bulls at its annual sale. During the 2006 sale, cattlemen had the opportunity to sort through the 58 bulls that made the top cut; the 87 bulls on test ended the 120-day period with an average daily gain of 3.93 pounds on a 60 percent forage-based ration.

For 2006-2007 the following breeds are represented: Angus (74); Red Angus (10); Hereford (6); Charolais (1); Simmental (9); and Balancer (7). The bulls posted an average on-test weight of 789 pounds.

At the conclusion of the test, bulls will be indexed based on average daily gain and weight per day of age. Only bulls indexing at 95 percent or better will qualify for the sale. In addition to average daily gain and weight per day of age, NCBTA provides individual ultrasound data on all bulls to assist cattlemen in their selections. All bulls are tested to be BVD PI negative.

The bulls will complete the 120-day test Feb. 27, 2007. The annual NCBTA sale will be held Saturday, March 31, 2007, at the test site.

Visitors are always welcome at the test site, which is located between Atwood and Akron on Colorado Highway 63.

For more information on the NCBTA bull test visit there NEW website at www.ncbta.net or to be added to the mailing list, please contact David Colburn at 970-522-3200, ext. 283, or write NCBTA, 508 S. 10th Ave., Ste. #1, Sterling, CO 80751.

Date: 11/20/06

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