What is a forage-tested bull? This is a bull that has been developed and tested for his ability to perform on an all forage (grass/hay) diet. Most bulls are developed and tested on a high concentrate (grain) ration similar to the ones used to fatten cattle in a feedlot.

     It is common knowledge that these hot feedlot rations will negatively affect a bull’s fertility, digestive system and liver function, as well as the soundness of his feet and legs. In fact, I have concluded that it is inhumane to feed bulls like this that are not intended for slaughter.

     It stands to reason, the bulls that perform best in a forage test should sire cattle that are also more efficient foragers. Therefore, this is a very important economic trait for ranchers who produce their own replacement females to select for.

     It seems quite obvious to me that seedstock producers who market maternal breeds of cattle need to seriously consider putting some of their bulls in a forage test. How else will they be able to identify and improve their genetics for doability and foraging ability? Few (if any) cowherds spend their producing years in a feedlot.

     Pharo Cattle Company started marketing some forage-tested bulls in 1998. Our reasons for doing so were twofold. First, we believed in the basic concept of forage testing our maternal genetics. Second, it provided a way for us to market our May and June born bull calves.

     Calving in sync with nature has always been very important to us, but it was nearly impossible to sell breeding bulls that were only ten months old. Now, though, we are selling 18-month-old bulls in the fall from our May and June calving cowherds.

     At weaning our bull calves are turned back out on growing forages. We utilize a technique called “across-the-fence” weaning in which the calves are weaned across the fence from their mothers. This has proven to be a very low-stress and easy way to wean calves.

     Our forage-tested bulls will never be shut up in a corral and they will never receive any grain. They are roughed through their first winter on standing forage with little, or no, protein supplement. This portion of our forage test always does an excellent job of separating the men from the boys. That’s what a test is supposed to do.

     The bulls will spend their second summer on an all-grass diet. It’s not uncommon for them to gain over 2 pounds per day during the summer. In August, we individually evaluate every bull, as well as take weights and measurements. This marks the end of our forage test. Most of the bulls will weigh in the 850 to 1000 pound range at this time. Since the bulls are run in 10 to 14 different groups, we use ratios to compare their gain.

     At the end of this forage test, the less efficient and unadapted bulls are culled, as well as those with structural problems and questionable dispositions. Most of the survivors will be offered for sale in our fall bull sale, while some will be roughed through another winter to be sold private treaty and/or in trailer-load lots.

     Although this program has an extremely high fallout rate, we believe it is the best way to performance test our maternal genetics.

     There are several obvious advantages to using older, forage-tested bulls. Since these bulls are older and more mature they are able to handle a heavier workload. Since they are in range condition, in contrast to being overweight, they’re able to maintain or gain weight during their first breeding season. Losing weight during the breeding season, as most bulls do, isn’t good.

     Since they have never been confined to small pens and forced to eat a high concentrate ration, they will be much healthier and will last much longer. Bull longevity is an extremely important economic trait. Since these bulls have proven their ability to survive and perform in an all-forage environment they should pass that genetic potential on to their offspring.