Bulls On Test

Bulls are being evaluated in all of the customary areas - average daily gain, carcass traits through the use of ultrasound and breeding soundness. However, the most unique test data that sets these bulls apart from all other breeds are feed efficiency results derived from residual feed intake (RFI) using the GrowSafe® System.

Current Bull Data

The long yearling bulls have completed the test. View their data and pictures here.

Click here to download the complete data set (Adobe PDF).

Click here to watch a video of the long yearling bulls in the sale.

Calf Buy-Back Program

Braunvieh Beef LLC was established to facilitate a Calf Buy-Back Program. Braunvieh Beef LLC will offer customers from the Influencer Bull Test Sale a premium price for 100% of their calves sired by bulls they purchase at the sale for up to three years.

Braunvieh Beef, LLC will offer bull purchasers a calf buy-back contract. The company will purchase the Braunvieh bull-sired progeny under the terms of the contract. Premiums above local markets will be paid for the calves. The sellers will designate a public sale barn within 75 miles of their operation for use in determining the price Braunvieh Beef will pay. The price paid is based upon the selling price for like cattle and sex as reported by the USDA market reports for the previous week, for the location specified by the producer, plus a premium. In addition to a guaranteed buyer at a premium, the producer will save the sale barn commission, save on shrink, and have the ability to sell their calves without color prejudice for a premium. These benefits will put more money in the pocket of the producer than if they sold their cattle through normal methods.

For more information, click here.

About the Bull Test Station

The Green Springs Bull Test Station is located in southwest Missouri. It was established in 1999 by Kent Abele and, over the last five years, has grown dramatically. Last year, over 800 bulls from several different breeds completed the test.

The bulls are on test for 112 days and are penned in 15- to 50-head lots sorted by size. The average pen size is three to four acres and consists of pasture and bunk space. Bulls are fed a high roughage and high energy ration with a goal of getting them to gain 3.5 lbs. per day. "Our objective is to find the superstars and poor performers out of all the bulls we test," Abele says.

In addition to the GrowSafe measurements, Green Springs Bull Test also collects average daily gain, weight per day of age, frame score, pelvic score and scrotal circumference measurements. Ultrasound is also used to estimate ribeye area and back fat. For more information, click here.