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Composite Bull Tops Four Corners Bull Test

Friday, March 14, 1997

FORT COLLINS--A composite bull owned by the Colorado State University San Juan Basin Research Center, Hesperus, was the top performing bull over all breeds in the 1997 Four Corners High Altitude Bull Test. The RX3xMARC IIIxHereford bull sired by RX3 #A243 gained 4.02 pounds per day on the 112-day performance test. He was closely followed by two polled Hereford bulls owned by LaMar Monroe & Sons, Scipio, Utah. The two bulls sired by Gold Tradition 42 and Allen Red Ranger 471, gained 3.95 and 3.93 pounds per day.

The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station's San Juan Basin Research Center is conducting the 112-day performance test in cooperation with the Four Corners Beef Cattle Improvement Association. The 165 bulls began the test on November 11, 1996, and finished on March 4, 1997, and averaged 2.96 pounds of gain per day.

"The bulls have gained well this winter considering the weather conditions we have experienced" said Dave Schafer, manager of the Colorado State San Juan Basin Research Center. "The bulls had to contend with a total 140 inches of snow during the 112-day test, which created a less-than-favorable testing environment".

Other high-performing individuals within breeds are a Simmental with a 3.77 ADG from Somerville Simmentals, Monticello, Utah; an Angus with a 3.49 ADG from Tycksen Ranches, Pleasant View; a Red Angus with a 3.43 ADG owned by the San Juan Basin Research Center; a polled, black Limousin with a 3.41 ADG owned by Gordon Smith, Naturita; and a System 2 composite bull with a 3.30 ADG owned by the San Juan Basin Research Center.

High-performing sire groups included three polled black Limousin sons of NMCC Polled Black Powder, 3.35 ADG from Gordon Smith, Naturita; three Simmental sons of RAB Formidabull, 3.31 ADG from Salt Creek Simmentals, Ignacio; three Red Angus sons of VRR Hobo 119, 3.13 ADG from Vaca Roja Ranch, Ignacio; four Hereford sons of SB Prospector Q276, 3.10 ADG from Douglas Creek Herefords, Rangely; and four Angus sons of Tybar Extra P160, 3.01 ADG from the San Juan Basin Research Center.

All bulls have been examined for breeding and structural soundness, scrotal circumference, pelvic area and pulmonary arterial pressure. Catalogs containing all this information as well as pedigree and performance data will be available March 21.

The 48th Annual Four Corners Bull Sale will begin at 12:30 p.m. April 5 at the San Juan Basin Research Center. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Superior Productions also will transmit the sale via satellite. A preview of the sale bulls can be seen at 8 p.m. MST April 4 and again at 11:30 a.m. April 5, followed immediately by the sale at 12:30 p.m. Satellite coordinates for the sale are Galaxy 3, channel 12.

To obtain catalogs and additional information about the sale, contact David Schafer, CAES-San Juan Basin Research Center, 18683 Highway 140, Hesperus, CO 81326, phone (970) 385-4574, fax (970) 385-4892.

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