Treasure Bull Test: High-quality Black Angus bulls evaluated in 112-day performance test to sell on April 15
Cattlemen across the West will offer a set of top-quality Black Angus bulls during the annual Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale on April 15 at the Western Livestock Auction in Great Falls, Mont., following the 112-day Treasure Bull Test.
The sale will also be livestreamed by Northern Livestock Video Auction.
“This is the best set of bulls from top to bottom that Treasure Bull Test has ever offered for sale,” says Ryan Perry, Treasure Bull Test owner and operator. “The depth of quality from breed leading sires will be unmatched anywhere. From phenotype to genotype to real-world performance, the bulls have the ability to enhance any program.”
The test
Established in 1968 by Irvin and Bobbi Meiwald, Treasure Bull Test has become a trusted source of high-quality, performance-tested “cowboy kind” Black Angus bulls.
Today, the sale is owned and operated by Ryan and his wife Karnell.
According to the Treasure Bull Test website, nearly 150 bulls from across the country are delivered to the Perrys at the end of October. They are fed out at North Montana Feeders in Choteau, Mont. on a custom high-roughage ration of protein, highly-digestible fiber, chelated mineral supplement, vitamins and corn, carefully created for bulls to gain three pounds per day.
The bulls are weighed upon arrival and again at 56 and 112 days on feed to determine average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA), and at the end of the test, each bull is ultrasounded to collect carcass data.
Additionally, Treasure Bull Test (TBT) Index is measured using nursing ratio, yearling ratio and gain ratio, and on sale day, bulls are sold in order of TBT Index.
This year, the sale will offer 110 top-notch Black Angus bulls on April 15.
On April 14, the Treasure Bull Test crew will host “Happy Hour Bull Preview” at 4 p.m., where buyers and consignors can network, enjoy refreshments and snacks and view the bulls before they sell.
Bulls can also be previewed at northernlivestockvideo.com.
Test leaders
Of the 110 bulls to sell at the 2025 Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale, lot 84, MWA Gable 18M, had the leading ADG of 4.78. This bull was consigned by Marshall Willekes Angus of Choteau, Mont. and is a son of Schiefelbein Gable 311. He posted a WDA of 3.14 and EPDs of BW -0.6, WW 68, YW 117, M 30 and TBT 109.33.
The reserve champion ADG bull was lot 134, GK Jalapeno M317, with an ADG of 4.71. This bull was consigned by Skogen GK Angus of Fort Shaw, Mont.and sired by Baldridge Jalapeno. He reported a WDA of 3.37 and EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 64, YW 112, M 23 and TBT 106.67.
Topping the leaderboard with the highest WDA was lot 127, OCC Dynamic 2488, with a WDA of 3.84. This bull was consigned by Olson Cattle Company of Saint Ignatius, Mont. and sired by BAR Dynamic. He had an ADG of 3.93 and a TBT 113.67. No other EPD data was reported for this bull.
A two-way tie for reserve-champion honors occurred between lots 140 and 125, both of which posted a WDA of 3.68.
Lot 140, RKP J611-014 M20, was consigned by RK Perry of Power, Mont. and sired by Vermilion Growth Fund J611. He posted EPDs of BW 4.2, WW 97, YW 171, M 30 and TBT 113.
Lot 125, OCC Dynamic 2466, was another consignment by Olson Cattle Company and son of BAR Dynamic. He had an ADG of 4.06 and has EPDs of BW -0.3, WW 76, YW 131, M 28 and TBT 109.
Jackpot champions
Each year, Treasure Bull Test holds an annual jackpot, which was started several years ago by Russ and Barb Pepper.
“It’s a little contest where every consignor gets to throw a $100 bill in the pot,” Perry explains. “The consignor picks one bull from their consignment list on the day of arrival – the bull they think will gain the best. These bulls are indexed separately from the TBT Index – which is measured by one-half ADG ratio, one-fourth 205-day ratio and one-fourth 365-day ratio. The winners take all.”
This year, the Treasure Bull Test Jackpot Champion was lot 130, Linhart Growth Fund 4636 M L, consigned by Mardi Linhart of Lewistown, Mont., with a TBT of 114. This bull was sired by Deer Valley Growth Fund, and he posted an ADG of 4.43, a WDA of 3.56 and EPDs of BW 2.4, WW 87, YW 149 and M 28.
Skogen GK Livestock took home reserve-champion honors with lot 137, GK Jigsaw M196, a son of Baldridge Jigsaw J523 with a TBT of 113.25. This bull had an ADG of 4.18 and a WDA of 3.55, as well as EPDs of BW 4, WW 83, YW 155 and M 21.
Lot 113, Sunny Rim Fair N Square M15, finished third in the jackpot. Consigned by Sunny Rim Angus of Sunburst, Mont., this bull was a son of Vermilion Fair N Square J280 and posted a TBT of 111. He also had an ADG of 4.04, a WDA of 3.56 and has EPDs of BW 4.2, WW 83, YW 146 and M 40.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
