Relationships between Performance Traits, Individual Expected Progeny Differences and Sale Prices of Centrally Tested Bulls

Postweaning records were collected on 7,428 bulls completing gain tests from 1981 to 1994 at Oklahoma BEEF, Inc. Central Bull Test Station. A total of 3085 bulls (A=806 Angus, B=497 Brangus, H=533 Hereford, P=601 Polled Hereford, C=399 Charolais and L=249 Limousin) completed the 140-day test from 1981 to 1986. From 1987 to 1994, performance data were collected on 4343 bulls (A=2384 Angus, B=487 Brangus, H=220 Hereford, P=544 Polled Hereford, G=132 Gelbvieh, L=360 Limousin and S=216 Simmental) completing the 112-day test. Trends among on-test weight showed increases for all breeds except G and S. Off-test weight increased during 140-day test for all breeds, yet decreased during 112-day test for all breeds except H and P. A, P, B, and H bulls showed increases in cumulative average daily gain, while C, G and S decreased. No trends in average daily gain were evident for L bulls. Weight per day of age increased for all breeds during 140-day test. P, H and G bulls showed increases in weight per day of age during 112-day test while all other breeds decreased. Performance records were combined with selling price from 2,419 bulls sold from 1983 to 1994 to evaluate the effect that performance traits had on selling price. Price was positively correlated (P<.01) many of the performance traits, and correlations were strongest for test index, WDA, and off-test weight and off-test height. However, the magnitude of these correlations was not great. Small correlations were found among EPDs and performance traits were small but significant for Angus but not for Polled Hereford bulls.