The Midland Bull Test (MBT) Final Sort is a longstanding, proven program that measures the actual performance of individual animals. The MBT performance test tracks a bull’s weight progression over a predefined number of days, utilizing pounds of gain, days on feed and days of age to compare like animals within a similar group.
During the gain period, each animal’s individual feed intake is measured using an electronic ID at enhanced feed bunks. The data is captured 24 hours a day and then evaluated at the end of the test period, resulting in a specific residual feed intake (RFI) for each bull; a true feed efficiency measurement.
Feeding a realistic high roughage ration, the program is an optimal bull test environment to emphasize the development of herd sire prospects and progeny groups into sound, functional bulls that will go to work breeding stock in a real environment.
Why MBT
The volume of test bulls allows you to compare individuals and the potential of sire groups. Midland has proven multiple trait leaders in the major breed sire summaries. Its unique and true “total performance” test has created an elite set of MBT graduates that consistently top the sales across the U.S.
MBT boasts many repeat sale consignors and buyers who assert their loyalty to proven results year after year. It is a family operation dedicated to the improvement of the beef cattle industry, as they identify superior-performing individuals and bloodlines within specific breeds. Whether you are bringing bulls to Midland or buying bulls from Midland, you will be satisfied knowing that every bull receives superior care and attention. You won’t find anywhere that can offer more.
The process
The Final Sort Bull Sale takes place April 6-7 in Columbus, MT. Bulls are entered into the test in the fall and tested over 112 days. Due to the sheer number of bulls entered into the test, there are two groups of bulls: Group 1, which includes half of the total number of spring-born Angus bulls, along with other breed fall-born bulls; and Group 2, which includes the other half of spring-born Angus bulls, along with other breed spring-born bulls. Group 1 bulls are received in September, and Group 2 bulls are received in October.
The MBT performance test takes place over 112 days and tracks a bull’s weight progression with weights and report updates at 60 and 90 days. The MBT weights are utilized to calculate MBT ADG, MBT WDA, Adj 365 Weight, Yearling Ratio and ADG Ratio.
The efficiency test is 49 days long and utilizes a calibrated bunk weight system, which allows one bull to eat at a time. Each bull’s electronic ear tag monitors and tracks its feed consumption, which is used to calculate the RFI, an important measurement for producers as it correlates the pounds of gain to the pounds of intake and therefore, the increment cost of gain. RFI allows producers to determine those individuals who have the capacity to gain quickly and most cost-effectively.
The RFI defines the incremental pounds of feed required for 1 pound of gain above or below the average (the MBT contemporary group).
Three progress reports are published throughout the efficiency testing period: after 60 days, 90 days and 120 days.
There are two class splits for each of the two groups of bulls that were determined by EPDs as of Feb. 1. Breeds with over 40 head on test were indexed into two birth weight classes: the green tag low-birth class (Class 1) and the white tag class (Class 2).
Angus green tag bulls consist of bulls with BW EPDs of 1.2 and below, coupled with actual birth weights of 84 lbs. and below. Red Angus green tag bulls have EPDs of -1.8 or less and a birth weight of 84 lbs. or under. Saler bulls that are 7/8% PB and greater are indexed separately from bulls that are less than 7/8% PB. If there are fewer than 30 Saler bulls that meet these criteria, the break moves from 7/8% PB to 3/4% PB. Groups will then be split at breed average birth weight and BW EPD. Simmental, Hereford, South Devon, Gelbvieh and Charolais bulls are split at breed average birth weight and BW EPD (if there are greater than 30 bulls in the breed).
Sale time
Only the top 70-80% of each breed are sold in the Final Sort Bull Sale. All bulls must successfully pass a breeding soundness exam. MBT has the right to remove from the sale any bull showing soundness, structure or disposition problems. Bulls that do not make the top 70-80% of the breed for the ADG ratio or 365 Day Ratio will be consigned to the PAYS All Breed Sale in Billings, MT, in April.
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The sale order is determined by the MBT Index. Performance awards are given within each breed to the sale bulls qualifying on performance, semen evaluation and soundness. There is also a special junior consignor program, where junior members can enter the test at a discount for an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship.— MBT
