Actual and Adjusted Weights: Actual birth weights, along with adjusted 205-day and 365-day weights, are provided for most yearling bulls, while the forage bulls have been adjusted to 470 days. This is good information, but it doesn’t tell the whole story because the surrounding environment can greatly affect these weights. Therefore, you can’t use this information to make comparisons with other herds, but you can use it to make valid comparisons within a herd. Ratios make this very easy.

        Ratios: Ratios are provided for birth weights, 205-day weights, 365-day weights, 470-day weights, and for rate of gain. A ratio shows how a bull compares to his within-herd contemporaries. A ratio of 100% is average, while a ratio of 105% is 5% above herd average, and a ratio of 95% is 5% below herd average. Birth weight ratios have been inverted. The lowest birth weights will have the highest ratios.

        EPDs: EPD is short for Expected Progeny Differences. It’s a prediction of the difference between the average progeny of one individual bull and the average progeny of other individual bulls. Since EPDs are able to take into account the differences that exist between environments, they can be effectively used to compare animals from different herds. Each breed association uses a different method for calculating their EPDs, so you cannot compare EPDs of bulls from two different breeds. Within a breed, though, EPDs can provide some very valuable information. For example, a bull with a birth weight EPD of –2.0 should sire calves that are 5 pounds lighter than a bull with a +3.0 birth weight EPD.

       ADG on Test: Our yearling bulls were put on a short feed test to help us compare their growth potential. They were fed a grain-free, high-roughage ration designed for moderate gains of only 2 pounds per day. If young bulls are pushed any harder, it negatively affects their soundness, fertility and longevity. Our bulls won’t be as big or as fat as bulls coming out of other programs, but they will be healthy and well conditioned. It is not at all unusual for our bulls to gain weight during their first breeding season.

    Our forage-tested bulls were tested for their ability to gain weight on grass. Bulls that perform well in a forage test should sire cattle that are also efficient foragers. Instead of posting individual rates of gain, we are posting individual gain indexes. This figure accurately compares each bull to his herd mates.

      Scrotal Circumference: Actual measurements are provided for our forage-tested bulls. Keep in mind, there is absolutely no fat in the scrotum of these range-ready bulls. There is nothing there but testicles! Scrotal measurements for our yearling bulls will be provided on a supplement sheet on sale day. They will be adjusted to a 365-day basis so valid comparisons can be made. Testicle size seems to be a good indicator of early maturity. This trait can be passed on to a bull’s daughters.

     Frame Score: A frame score of 2 to 5 seems to be optimum for the cow herd, as well as the feedlot and packing plant. The smaller the frame, the more efficient the cow. The only difference between a frame 4 and a frame 5 is a couple of inches between the ground and the belly — which doesn’t weigh anything and is impossible to eat! Our most efficient cows have a frame score of 2 to 4 — with enough thickness to weigh 1000 to 1250 pounds.

     Frame score is hip height adjusted for age. Unfortunately, the formula used for young bulls is based on feedlot-tested bulls. It will not work on forage-tested bulls. Therefore, we use XS, S, S/M, M, M/L and L (roughly equivalent to frames 2.5 to 5.5) for our forage-tested bulls.

       Our Predictions: We have provided some predictions on how we feel each of these bulls should be rated for Calving Ease, Disposition, and Fleshing Ability. Each bull is rated with 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the very best and 3 being about average. Let me emphasize, 3 stars is not bad. Fleshing Ability and Disposition are discussed more extensively on page 14.

        Maternal Information: Valuable information has also been provided on the mother of most bulls. Cow Age is the dam’s age at calving. Cow Weight is her actual weight at weaning, adjusted to a standard body condition score of 5. At calving we give each cow an Udder Score from 1 to 5. A score of 3 would be an average, yet very functional udder, while a score of 5 would be nearly perfect. On the registered bulls, we are also able to calculate a Cow Longevity score from 1 to 5 — with 5 being the best.