Fact Sheet Written by:
Sally L. Dolezal, Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist Oklahoma State University
Ronnie Silcox, Extension Animal Scientist University of Georgia, Athens
And Provided by
Oklahoma State University
Seedstock producers are constantly striving to identify individuals with superior performance. Parents are selected to produce offspring that will perform in a particular environment.
The seedstock producer is not only eager to identify cattle to use in his or her breeding program, but the producer must also meet the demands of the commercial bull buyer. Performance testing programs provide objective measures of genetic worth to fulfill these goals.
There is no one method of evaluation for every seedstock producer. Both central and on-farm bull tests can provide valuable
information. These tests may use either high-grain diets or high-forage diets. As long as bulls of similar background and age are given equal opportunity to express their genetic ability to perform, valid comparisons can be made.
The decision of the seedstock producer to use a particular type of testing program will depend on such factors as: 1) availability of feed, 2) market demand for bulls of a particular
age, 3) availability of feeding facilities, and 4) ability to merchandise bulls. Some producers will choose central test stations while others will prefer on-farm tests. Conducting an on-farm testing program while also sending some bulls to central test stations may be a viable option for many seedstock producers.
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