About
The Bull Test:
The bulls offered in the Black Harvest East and West bull sales are the product of an extensive “test and select” process that begins at each of the five participating herds. All five herds are enrolled in the Canadian Angus Performance Program. At weaning time the top bulls from all five herds are selected for the Black Harvest Bull Test. The bulls are performance tested, semen tested and scanned with ultrasound for carcass traits. Only those bulls meeting our standards are selected for inclusion in the Black Harvest Bull Sale.
The bulls begin a 112 day gain test after a 28 day adjustment period. Feeding the bulls together in central locations eliminates the “feeding contest” which often takes place between breeders when bulls are fed at home and allows each bull an equal opportunity to perform. Our objective is to provide a ration that will allow the bulls to grow to their potential without excess fattening. The ration is NOT a feedlot finishing ration.
The Bull Test report provides Current Weights, Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Weight Per Day of Age (WPDA). For reporting purposes the bulls are divided into GROWTH Bulls and CALVING EASE Bulls based on their Birth Weight EPD. Bulls are indexed within their respective groups. Ultrasound scanning takes place near the end of test and results are available sale day.
