DIDSBURY, Alta. Ð The growing discrepancy between range bison and show bison has prompted producers to set up a test station where bulls can be monitored under normal range conditions.
The tests will be conducted in co-operation with Heartland Livestock on Mike Edgar’s Lone Pine Bison Ranch near Didsbury, Alta.
Edgar said overzealous producers are raising fat animals that are sold at specialty sales but cannot work properly on the range.
“It’s human nature to think you can improve on things.”
Edgar, who doesn’t have any animals in the test, said it was once common for a bull calf to show up at the Wild Rose Classic in Camrose, Alta., weighing 500 pounds. These same spring calves now come in at 750 lb.
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He said shows and sales are starting to set weight minimums, which prompts producers to push the feed to get their animals up to the standard.
“Some of the benchmarks are pretty high and people have a hard time reaching them.”
This growing difference between range animals and show animals is making some breeders leery.
“I like to see them in the pasture because when I buy them, that’s where they go,” said Bob Boake of Acme, Alta.
Bulls are often too big for their age and appear to have been pushed on grain. Average weights have been going up each year since sales events started.
Part of it is due to improved management and selection for better genetics. Part of it is due to too much feed, breeders say.
There is also some concern among breeders that animals receiving an overload of high energy grain develop problems with their livers and fertility.
The test started this summer on grass. The bulls arrived at Edgar’s ranch in mid-October, where they receive a normal hay ration and energy supplements.
The test includes a vet check for soundness, semen viability and conformation. Bulls are weighed every two months. Temperament is noted.
The bulls are identified only by number so that test operators don’t know the animals’ owners.
The two-year-old bulls will be sold in Red Deer on April 14. A second test will immediately follow on two stations in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Edgar expects the bulls to be lighter weight at the end of the test, but should be in good, solid condition.
Consignors have the option to pull bulls out of the sale if their performance is less than expected.
Organizers hope those attending the sale will see a low maintenance animal that is easy calving, not overfed and able to withstand the elements.
“We don’t want to turn out bulls that are merely good converters,” Edgar said.
The top three bulls will receive cash prizes.
