Bull test sale marks the end of a special bovine class

Published: January 31, 2013

CLEMSON — Commencement is still months away for most seniors at Clemson University, but a special class of students will graduate this weekend.

Their curriculum was considerably different from most, consisting largely of eating 1,500 pounds or so of cattle feed.

Commencement for the 52 bulls in the 145-day class will come at the 2013 Clemson Bull Test & Heifer Sale on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena near Clemson.

Before the auction, cattle buyers will review transcripts for each student: A complete performance record measure's each bull's feed intake and weight gain during the test.

Bulls, which are consigned by cattle producers from across South Carolina, typically gain roughly 500 pounds in the test. Some average more than four pounds per day.

The Clemson Extension Service holds the test to help cattle producers identify superior genetics in bulls that will help improve the next generation of beef cattle — and profits — in the state’s cattle industry. Bulls that gain weight efficiently are more likely to pass that trait on to their offspring.

Technology continues to improve the test, which has been held annually for decades. A new feeding system allows scientists to measure feed intake individually for each bull, even though the animals feed in the same pen.

"When a bull puts his head through the bars and begins to eat, the node records his tag number, weight of the bunk, date and time for every second he is eating at the bunk," said Matthew Burns, a Clemson Extension animal scientist and coordinator of the bull test.

The data is transmitted to a computer for analysis. The system allows the scientists performing the test to get immediate information on individual bulls and comparative data with the others.

"One of the most useful screens is the 'reduced intake' screen," Burns said. "When a bull is taking less feed than the pen average or has decreased 25 percent or more from his previous day’s intake, his number shows up on this screen. This information is used on a daily basis to help identify bulls that may have health concerns."

The bulls began the test in September at the Clemson Beef Cattle Farm on the Simpson Experiment Station near Pendleton. The auction will be held at noon Feb. 2 at the Garrison Livestock Arena three miles east of Clemson.

The sale includes 52 bulls and 30 heifers.

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