Starting A Test Year

Each year nomination forms are sent out to our members in mid-August. Any members wanting to put animals in the Test Station return their forms by mid-September. If you are not a member and would like to try out the Station feel free to contact us.

 

Bull Evaluation

Self fed & Target Fed programs – please reach out for details.

Bulls are developed on free choice hay and a developer pellet to target moderate gains of 2.5-3 lbs per day. We target these gains to ensure all bulls are developed in a way to promote longevity and overall soundness. The result is still being able to select for genetic superiority in the bulls for performance but doing it in a way that still produces a very sound animal that will go out and have a long successful life for its new owner. There is nothing worse than paying a great deal for a bull that has been pushed hard on feed and falls apart on you when you really need him to be servicing your cows! Here at Douglas we have the advantage of performance testing top genetics from many very good herds across Canada against each other. This in turn allows each consignor to compare his bulls to other herds to see where he stands on a broader scope. For consignors it provides them with vital information as to the direction their herd may need some adjustment towards. As for the buyers they have the advantage of picking right from the top end of these herds and can be confident that the bulls developed here are going to improve the quality of their herds not to mention their bottom lines! Prospective buyers are provided with current EPD's, CUP Carcass Data, and Performance Data (both ADG and WDA). Scrotal circumference will be adjusted to 13 months (395 days) of age. A decision-deferred bull is eligible for sale at the Douglas Bull and Female Sale per veterinarian approval. Please contact us directly with any questions. Bulls will also be disqualified from the sale on structural soundness.

 

Retained Bull Program

This program has been set up to meet the need for developing bulls for breeders who intend to keep their bulls for in herd use.  These bulls are treated exactly the same as our regular test bulls however are housed in their own pen and are weighed 3 times throughout the 112 days.  These bulls are not eligible for sale. Calendar year bull calves only.

 

Heifer Project

This program is open to all purebred and commercial producers. The heifers are fed a high fiber pelleted grower ration. Heifers will begin on a self fed ration until approx January 1st and will then transition to being hand fed.  They are also offered free choice ½ alfalfa ½ grass hay and free choice mineral. The heifers are weighed throughout the test year on the same days as the bulls with the final weight taken on the 112 day weight. See weigh days. The projected gain on the heifers is 2 lbs. per day. All heifers that are being offered for sale will be pelvic measured.

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