|
|
35th Annual Southeast Colorado Bull Test 112 Day ReportColorado The final weigh day for the 44 bulls in the 35th Annual Southeast Colorado Bull Test was held March 10, completing 112 days on test. On March 9, the bulls were weighed and the ultra-sound carcass data was collected. Breeding soundness exams were also performed on March 10. The weights from the two days were averaged to obtain the "official" off-test weight. Due to some problems with the initial ration, the bulls got off to a slow start this year. Adjustments to the ration have the bulls finishing the test well. As has been the tradition with the Southeast Colorado Bull Test, the bulls receive a growing ration with a high roughage and low carbohydrate ratio. This ration allows the bulls to express their growth potential without accumulating excess finish. Bull number 41 owned by Cameron and Ashley Burk from Aguilar, Colo., ended up the top gaining bull. Out of SAV 8180 Traveler 004, this bull gained 4.53 pounds per day on test. The next highest gaining bull was another Angus bull owned by T.J. Verquer from Trinidad, Colo. This bull gained 4.26 pounds per day on test and is out of TG Spirit 54. Both of these bulls were also in the highest gaining sire groups, respectively. The SAV 8180 Traveler 004 sire group gained 4.01 pounds per day and the TG Spirit 54 sire group gained 3.96 pounds per day. A sire group consists of three or more bulls out of one sire. T. J. Verquer's bull also had the highest weight per day of age. This bull was born on March 28, 2008, and has gained 3.34 pounds per day of age. Second place in the weight per day of age category is a Taylor Livestock bull from Karval, Colo. Out of Surrtop E626 X 872, born on Feb. 16, 2008, this bull has gained 3.21 pounds per day of age. The members of the Southeast Colorado Bull Test Association wish to thank Norman and Jean Dorenkamp and the Trail City Livestock crew for their care and feeding of the bulls. This completes the seventeenth year the Dorenkamp's have hosted the test at their facilities. Also, thanks go to Jeff Wilson--KSU Extension; Natalie James, Scott Brase, and Jeramy McNeely--CSU Extension; and Leonard Pruett for helping with the weigh days. And last but not least, to Taran Walter, Kiowa County Extension administrative assistant, for compiling and mailing out all of the reports. Beef producers are invited to attend the 35th Annual Southeast Colorado Bull Test Sale, April 14, at Winter Livestock Commission Company in La Junta, Colo. The sale will begin at noon. You are also encouraged to view the bulls at the feedlot south of Holly, Colo., until April 13. On that date, they will be transported to the sale facility in La Junta. Sale catalogs will be available as soon as the ultra-sound and specific breed association information comes back. Contact the CSU Extension office in Kiowa County at 719-438-5321 or our website at: http://kiowacounty.colostate.edu for a catalog. All reports and information pertaining to the Southeast Colorado Bull Test is available at the previously mentioned website. If you have question about a specific bull, the test procedures, or the sale, please call.
|
|
