Sixty-five years of intense data collection is paying off. Producers participating in the Tucumcari Bull Test rely on the full 120-day dataset to make informed, economically relevant selection decisions. And the progress is clearly reflected in the numbers.
Since the station’s inception, both feed efficiency and growth have improved by 28%. In practical terms, today’s cattle are gaining more weight on fewer inputs. In 1960, it required approximately 10.2 pounds of feed to produce 1 pound of gain. Yearling weights averaged around 800 pounds, and top-performing bulls gained about 3 pounds per day.
Fast forward to the current test, and the improvements are striking. Bulls now average 1,164 pounds at a year of age, gain 3.74 pounds per day, and convert feed at roughly 6.3 pounds per pound of gain. This year’s elite performers pushed even further, exceeding 4 pounds of average daily gain while converting close to 4:1.
In the face of historically tight cow herd inventories, efficiencies like these are more valuable than ever. As we begin measuring efficiency in females alongside selecting proven, efficient sires, the potential for accelerated genetic progress is tremendous. Improved efficiency allows producers to stretch limited forage resources, improve carrying capacity with sound management, and ultimately enhance long-term profitability.
This year’s test includes 17 cooperators representing four states — New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Five breeds will be featured in the upcoming sale: Angus, Braunvieh, Hereford, SimAngus, and Lim-Flex. In total, 276 animals are being evaluated during the 2025–2026 test season, continuing the Tucumcari Bull Test’s legacy of delivering data-driven genetic advancement to the region’s cattle industry.
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