We are almost to the end of the test and performance across the board remains strong! Half of the bulls also now have efficiency data to their name. The gain and WDA information is ratio’d within breed, however the feed efficiency (FE) ratio and RFI values are reflective over the 85 bulls where feed intake data was collected; all breeds included. Bulls that have intake data with them will be mentioned here, but the test is far from over, so stay tuned as the remaining bulls get their feed efficiency numbers in.
Angus: The race is on in the Angus division, with leader changes for gain and WDA! Now on top for gain is bull 9-4 from J-C Angus (Moriarty, NM), gaining a sustained 5.45 lbs over the 112 days! Not far behind is another J-C Angus bull. Bull 9-2 holds the number 2 seat at 5.15 lbs per day. Both bulls are out of AI sire Sitz Resilient 10208. This same program has also generated the top WDA bull (9-24). Sired by their herd sire (PS Outright 10X 704), this big boy tops the scale at 1500 and carries a WDA of 4.17!! Lust Angus (Abernathy, TX), Riverside Angus (Las Animas, CO), and Walker Angus (Tucumcari, NM) all have bulls that round out the top 10, with the “lightest gain” of 4.91!!
Braunvieh: J Bar Braunvieh brought us another nice set of Braunvieh calves. Though the compensatory gain honeymoon is over, these thick made hearty calves are still performing strong and growing well. The group has a current rate of gain of 3.41 lbs per day! Bulls sired out of JJ Echo 791E are all gaining well above the average. J Bar Braunvieh will be offering two bulls out of this sire (16-6 and 16-8) in our March 9th sale, to take advantage of these proven genetics!
Charolais: We have two contenders in the Charolais category this year. Rankings have changed once again, from the last report. Lot 23-3 (from Durkee Creek Ranch) has taken of the top gain spot, averaging 3.86. with long time breeder Grau Charolais taking the #2 spots for gain and WDA with their 5-4 bull! It should be mentioned, however, the efficiency all the Charolais are demonstrating this year is impressive! Not only is the group average conversion only 5.75 lbs, but every single bull also has a – RFI. What does that mean to you? Efficient daughters and great performance in their calves at the feedlot!
Hereford: This year we have 10 Hereford bulls on test, some horned some polled... As with the other breed groups, rankings have changed. Corn Hereford now holds the top three spots for gain. Bulls 3-4 and 3-1 are sustaining 4.02 and 3.87 lbs per day respectively! Abercrombie Ranch’s 1-1 is now group leader for WDA. Most of the group has yet to be efficiency tested. With son’s of the top OVERALL efficiency bull CHURCHILL WILDCAT745E, from the 2018 test, the Cornerstone Ranch bulls will be fun to watch.
Red Angus: There are three producers in this contemporary group this year, TL Cattle Company, Grady, NM (test #6), C and C Duvall Ranches, Lamar, CO (test#13), and Long Trot Cattle Co., Cimarron, NM (test#22) C&C Duvall Ranches currently has the top 3 ratioing bulls for gain. A must watch from Duvall’s is 13-4. Not only is this calf maintaining a 4.69 lb rate of gain, he is my pick for this year’s efficiency contest across the barn. Out of Leachman Dinero A090X, this calf converted at a staggering 3.81 lbs!, pulling a -4.61 RFI!! If you are familiar with the Leachman program you know they focus on efficiency, and once again this shows how heritable this important trait can be. Still pay attention to TL Cattle and Long Trot Cattle Co’s bulls. These bulls have definitely hit a gear and are shaping up nicely!
Salers: K4 Cattle company is back with another nice set of Salers bulls. These cattle have been going to the high country of New Mexico and are doing well! The one to watch is lot # 18-1. This calf is still gaining strong at 3.85 lbs per day! No efficiency data on him yet, so stay tuned! If you are looking for the whole package check out 18-4. So far this calf is good across the board; gaining 3.55 per day, has the 2nd highest WDA (3.21). His intake data rounds him out as an overall solid bull, with a conversion rate of 5.68!
Simangus: From Estancia, NM, Valigura Simmental brought 12 very productive and attractive Simangus bulls. These versatile cattle should do well in the high country and the flats, cover ground and your cows. Overall moderate in frame. Bulls sired by J-C Treasure 2183, make up the top half of performance ranking, with 11-11 leading the way with an impressive 5.04 lbs per day sustained gain. 11-10 (ranked 3rd for gain) demonstrated outstanding efficiency, converting at 5.01 lbs and pulling a -1.91 RFI! He will definitely help not only produce growthy calves but females that will be productive on typical NM resources.
Akaushi: New to the test, this Japanese breed is known for its marbling and overall carcass quality. Though these bulls will not be in our Spring sale, it will be interesting to watch their performance over time. With just two on test, they are staying right in with the pack. Will have efficiency and carcass data available in our final report.
Please note, for the top rank report, those bulls listed are performing at 85% or better in their contemporary groups.
