Outstanding class of South Devon bulls represented at Midland Bull Test this year
The quality of this year’s South Devon breed at the Midland Bull Test was hard to match, as MJB Ranch in Lodge Grass, Mont. brought a group of bulls that posted top scores, sweeping the leaderboards for the breed in both average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA).
According to the Midland Bull Test catalog, exciting new research from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center “shows the South Devon sired females to be the number one breed for efficiency on a high roughage ration.”
“This, added to the tons of research showing a 23 percent advantage for crossbred females, makes these South Devon bulls a great cross on any breed,” continues Midland Bull Test. “This leads to more sustainable profit for the commercial producers.”
Midland Bull Test adds that, while a hot, dry summer affected the 205-day weights on this group of bulls, “their EPDs are excellent.”
The average EPDs for the South Devon bulls at Midland were BW 2.38, WW 55, YW 100 and M 31.7.
The South Devon bulls are slated to sell on April 5, following the Red Angus. They are represented by lots 850 through 899.
ADG leaders
Lot 870 topped the South Devons, with a final ADG of 3.93 and ADG ratio of 123. The son of MMM Untouchable W810 also has a WDA of 3.13 and EPDs of BW 2.1, WW 52, YW 93, M 31, RFI 0.15, Eff 104 and MBT 110.
Then, lot 852 took second in the category, with a final ADG of 3.84 and ADG ratio of 120. He also posted a WDA of 2.86 and the son of DLC Royal LAD 1139 has EPDs of BW 2.6, WW 47, YW 88, M 29, RFI -0.95, Eff 106 and MBT 106.
A DLCC Sure Thing Too 119T son, lot 896, tied with another MMM Untouchable W810 son, lot 869, for third and fourth, with a final ADG of 3.78 and ADG ratio of 118.
Lot 896 also has a WDA of 3.18 and EPDs of BW 4.8, WW 63, YW 106, M 28, RFI -0.57, Eff 110 and MBT 110, while lot 869 showed a WDA of 3.12 and EPDs of BW 1.8, WW 58, YW 92, M 58, RFI -0.35, Eff 101 and MBT 108.
Rounding out the top five was lot 880, with a final ADG of 3.62 and ADG ratio of 113. He also showed a WDA of 2.98, and the MJB Country Cool 535C son has EPDs of BW -1.2, WW 44, YW 84, M 34, RFI 0.71, Eff 99 and MBT 97.
WDA leaders
Lot 857 led the South Devon bulls with a WDA of 3.27. He is a son of DLC Royal Lad 1139 and has a final ADG of 3.53 and ADG ratio of 111. He has EPDs of BW 1.3, WW 60, YW 109, M 35, RFI 1.04, Eff 99 and MBT 109.
Next, lot 896 also placed second for WDA with a score of 3.18. The DLCC Sure Thing Too 119T son has EPDs of BW 4.8, WW 63, YW 106, M 28, RFI -0.57, Eff 110 and MBT 110
Lot 868 took the third place slot for WDA, with a WDA of 3.17. A son of DLC Royal Lad 1139, he has a final ADG of 3.3 and ADG ratio of 103. His EPDs are BW 0.9, WW 62, YW 107, M 37, RFI 1.87, Eff 94 and MBT 104.
In fourth was lot 876, a son of Cimarron Defender 443B with a WDA of 3.14. He also has a final ADG of 3.42, ADG ratio of 107 and EPDs of BW 2.4, WW 53, YW 98, M 27, RFI 1.65, Eff 101 and MBT 104.
Rounding out the category was lot 870, with a WDA of 3.13. His final ADG was 3.93, ADG ratio of 123 and EPDs are EPDs of BW 2.1, WW 52, YW 93, M 31, RFI 0.15, Eff 104 and MBT 110. Lot 870 is a son of MMM Untouchable W810.
Look for the South Devon bulls on pages 106-110 in the Midland Bull Test Catalog. Full results are available at midlandbulltest.com.
