Treasure Bull Test: Top-notch, performance-tested bulls to sell on April 21
Following the 112-day Treasure Bull Test, cattlemen from across the West will gather for the Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale, held on April 21 at the Western Livestock Auction in Great Falls, Mont., where a set of top-quality Black Angus bulls will be sold to the highest bidder.
The sale begins at 1 p.m. and will also be livestreamed via Northern Livestock Video Auction.
“This is the most rancher friendly set of bulls Treasure Bull Test has ever offered for sale. I challenge you to find the depth this sale offers anywhere in America,” says Ryan Perry, Treasure Bull Test owner and operator. “The depth of quality from breed leading sires will be unparalleled anywhere. From phenotype and genotype to real-world performance, these bulls have the ability to enhance any program.”
Annual test and sale
Established in 1968 by Irvin and Bobbi Meiwald, Treasure Bull Test has grown into one of the West’s most recognized performance testing programs, building a reputation for high-quality, “cowboy-kind” Black Angus bulls that are athletic, growth-oriented, structurally-sound and designed to go straight to work.
After a decade under the Meiwalds ownership, the program was purchased by Russ and Barb Pepper who continued the Treasure Bull Test legacy for over 40 years before turning it over to Ryan and his wife Karnell.
Today, the Perrys receive roughly 150 bulls from consignors across the country each year at the end of October. Bulls 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, designed to promote a steady gain of about three pounds per day.
Bulls are weighed upon arrival, then 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 Index (TBT) is measured using nursing ratio, yearling ratio and gain ratio, which is used to determine sale order.
Regarding this year’s test, Perry notes, “We started with 175 bulls from 31 different consignors which would represent the top one-half to one-quarter of their individual programs. We then put the yearlings through a ruthless and competitive test narrowing them down to 115 outstanding bulls, representing the top 70 percent.”
This top-end set of bulls will sell on April 21 at the Western Livestock Market in Choteau, Mont. at 1 p.m., following an 11:30 a.m. lunch.
On April 20, the day before the sale, the Treasure Bull Test crew will host its annual Happy Hour Bull Preview at 4 p.m., where buyers and consignors can mingle, enjoy snacks and refreshments and preview the bulls before they sell.
Bulls will also be available for viewing at Muddy Creek Feedyard in Vaughn, Mont. any time prior to the sale or online at northernlivestockvideo.com.
Test leaders
Among the lineup of bulls to sell at the 2026 Cowboy’s and Cowgirl’s Performance Bull Sale, Roundup, Mont.-based West Wind Angus Ranch’s lot 124, WWAR Conclusion 2329, was named the TBT Champion Bull. A son of V A R Conclusion 0234, this bull posted a TBT of 116.53, an ADG of 5.19 and a WDA of 3.50, as well as EPDs of BW 3, WW 96, YW 169 and M 30.
In the ADG category, lot 78, GSAR Dollar Up 5050, took top honors with an ADG of 5.53. This bull was consigned by Gem State Angus of Twin Falls, Idaho and is a son of Sitz Dollar Up 489Z. He posted a WDA of 3.69 and EPDs of BW 2, WW 65, YW 118, M 27 and TBT 113.7.
The reserve champion ADG bull was lot 165, GK Kodiak N018, with an ADG of 5.34. This bull was consigned by Skogen GK Angus of Fort Shaw, Mont. and sired by Baldridge Kodiak. He reported a WDA of 3.16 and EPDs of BW 0.3, WW 67, YW 120, M 31 and TBT 109.87.
Topping the leaderboard with the highest WDA was lot 63, Legacy Rise Above 505, with a WDA of 3.93. This bull was consigned by Legacy Ridge Angus of Chinook, Mont. and sired by Stellpflug Hoffman Rise Above. He had an ADG of 4.64 and EPDs of BW 1.6, WW 104, YW 177, M 25 and TBT 113.24.
Lot 134, RKP 107-9446 51, claimed the reserve champion slot with the second-highest WDA of 3.89.
This bull was consigned by RK Perry of Power, Mont. and sired by Long Teton 107. He posted an ADG of 4.35 and EPDs of BW 0.3, WW 88, YW 178, M 27 and TBT 108.41.
Additionally, Choteau, Mont.-based Gollehon Angus’ lots 94, 98 and 99 – all sired by Sitz Incentive 704H – were recognized as the Champion Sire Group, followed in reserve by Geraldine, Mont.-based Windy Ridge Angus’ lots 6, 7 and 9, which were sired by CAR Hobson J670.
Jackpot champions
Each year, Treasure Bull Test holds an annual jackpot, which was started several years ago by the Peppers.
“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 TBT – 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 78, GSAR Dollar Up 5050, with an Index of 118.55. Consigned by Gem State Angus and sired by Sitz Dollar Up 489Z, this bull posted an ADG of 5.53, a WDA of 3.69 and EPDs of BW 2, WW 65, YW 118, M 27 and TBT 113.7.
Cummings Cattle of Cascade, Mont. took home reserve champion honors with lot 42, CC Ashland 5002, with an Index of 117.53. A son of G A R Ashland, this bull had an ADG of 5.07, a WDA of 3.59 and EPDs of BW 2.2, WW 85, YW 152, M 31 and TBT 116.04.
Rounding out the top three jackpot winners was lot 129, YAR Deadwood 551, with an Index of 116.32. This bull was consigned by Yellowstone Angus Ranch of Reed Point, Mont., sired by 7 E G Deadwood L201 and posted an ADG of 4.98, a WDA of 3.71 and EPDs of BW 1.1, WW 78, YW 139, M 33 and TBT 115.13.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
