Released: March 20, 2002

Kansas Bull Test Slated Apr. 3 in Beloit

BELOIT, Kan. – Buyers at the annual Kansas Bull Test this year will have access to information on the animal’s performance and ultrasound measurements for carcass traits, officials said.

The sale will take place Apr. 3 at the Mitchell County fairgrounds in Beloit. Final weights were taken in mid-March.

Twig Marston, an animal scientist at Kansas State University, said the ultrasound measurements include information that is specific to breed test performance and expected progeny differences. All of the performance data is available for review, he said.

"Breeding soundness evaluations are the only bull sorting criteria left [to qualify bulls] for sale," Marston said.

The top 70 percent of bulls in each breed -- based on their average daily gain and weight per day of age -- are eligible for the KBT sale. An Open House to view the bulls is scheduled for March 23 at H&D Cattle Company, one mile south of Tipton on state highway 181.

Average weights for the bulls eligible for the sale, by breed, are;

* Angus, 85 head, 1,208 pounds;

* Charolais, 26 head, 1,206 pounds;

* Gelbvieh, 14 head, 1,216 pounds;

* Hereford, 19 head, 1,167 pounds;

* Maine Anjou, 3 head, 1,157 pounds;

* Red Angus, 5 head, 1,253 pounds;

* Simmental, 64 head, 1,285 pounds.

The annual Kansas Bull Test is conducted by K-State Research and Extension in cooperation with the state’s bull test committee.

Interested persons can view the bulls during normal business hours at H&D Cattle Company (785-373-4824). For more information, contact Marston at 785-532-5428.

Information also is available on the Kansas Bull Test website, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu./pr_bull.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Pat Melgares, News Coordinator
pmelgare@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News