UW hosts third annual bull test and sale
On March 21, the University of Wyoming (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) held its Third Annual High Altitude Bull Test and Sale at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Teaching Arena in Laramie.
The event kicked off at 9 a.m. with a preview of the bulls, followed by an educational program on managing pre-breeding nutrition in the cow herd and the beef market outlook. The sale started at 1 p.m. after those in attendance were fed lunch.
Background information
Developed by Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) Director Dr. Scott Lake, UW Extension Beef Specialist Dr. Shelby Rosasco and UW CALSNR Animal Science Assistant Professor Dr. Hannah Cunningham-Hollinger, the High Altitude Bull Test was created in response to challenges faced by Wyoming producers who run cattle at high altitudes.
“We wanted to develop a program which provided an opportunity to evaluate potential sires on their ability to serve producers at high altitudes and engage stakeholders in research and education related to brisket disease,” explained Rosasco.
She noted another goal of the program is to provide undergraduate and graduate students at UW with a unique, hands-on learning opportunity related to bull development and marketing in an effort to prepare them for real-world careers in the livestock industry.
“Our goal is to serve as a resource for producers in the region to assess potential sires for risk of pulmonary hypertension and their suitability to serve producers at high altitudes, provide unique and valuable experiences for students, become a proven source of performance and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) tested bulls for cow/calf producers across the region and serve the beef cattle industry in Wyoming,” Rosasco reiterated.
The test
This year, 66 bulls from 11 consignors arrived at LREC during the first week of November, where they underwent a 45-day screening period to assess performance and risk of pulmonary hypertension, also known as high altitude disease.
Rosasco noted any bulls with a PAP score considered high risk were removed from the test at the end of the screening period. Others started a 70-day feed efficiency test to evaluate feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratios and residual feed intake.
“Animals were weighed every two weeks throughout the test to monitor performance, and students conducted health checks twice daily,” she explained. “Ultrasound measurements to evaluate carcass characteristics, breeding soundness exams and a final PAP test were utilized to evaluate bulls.”
She continued, “Data collected on bulls in the test provides consignors and producers with valuable information to utilize when making management and sire selection decisions.”
The sale
After the screening period and performance test, 30 bulls from eight consignors were offered in the 2025 sale. They averaged $4,375 per head.
According to Rosasco, the top-selling bull in this year’s sale was lot 2, Frank Right Time 470, an Angus bull consigned by Horse Creek Angus, which sold for $7,250.
“We would like to thank all of the consignors and buyers for supporting the UW High Altitude Bull Test and Sale this year,” said Rosasco. “We are excited to continue to see this program grow, and we couldn’t do it without their support.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
