Bulls gain and owners profit

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Dickie Hill, owner of F.E. Hill Company, holds the bull gain performance test on his farm in Fairfield. The bulls are fed forage and grain in the gain program. -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Oct. 28, 2004 - Dickie Hill of Fairfield, owner of the F.E. Hill Company, is considered somewhat of a marvel in the beef cattle industry as he hosts a bull gain performance test to improve the genetics of bulls. Hosting the Annual Freestone County Bull Gain Test for 10 years, Hill places yearling bulls on a forage gain test that provides producers with valuable production trait information before placing their prospective herd sires into service.

"This test is based on forage supplemented by grain," Hill said. "It is for producers in Texas who want to test bulls on a forage/grain test as opposed to a grain/grain test."

The purpose of the Freestone County Bull Gain Test is to collect performance data on individual bulls that can be tracked and used to make rational breeding decisions.

"This is the most economical bull gain test that I know of," Hill explained. "It never costs anyone over $250 per test."

The bull performance test was designed to help ranchers prepare for the "value added" markets. The test also gives a top quality ultrasound gain test that costs two or three times less than other bull performance tests, according to Hill.

Bull Sitz Alliance 6595 is the bull that Dickie Hill believes is going to be the grand champion at the sale on Dec. 11. Hill also believes that the bull will marble well. -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Hill said most ranchers purchase bulls from a grain-grain test and no matter how good the genetics are there are almost always problems with those grain-fed bulls.

The F.E. Hill Company's bulls are supplemented with a controlled consumption commercially mixed, self-fed range supplement that produces healthy bulls with little problems. The estimated intake is 1.5 percent of body weight per head per day.

"Pleasing the customer is first and foremost," Hill said. "And, consistency starts at conception."

The program begins by using a tracking artificial insemination program. The second phase includes calving, birth date and weight.

"Ten years ago people were having problems calving out heifers," Hill said. "We've had over 100 heifers in the last month with sons in next year's program. We can look at the bull and know what size calf will be born."

The cow/calf phase and vaccination phase is next.

"We use a Vac 45 Program and by the time they are weaned, the bulls are vaccinated for everything," Hill explained.

The bull gain test is a 100-day test, which includes a weigh in, physical soundness and disposition test, Hill said. Specific measurements to be collected include average daily gain, ribeye area, fat thickness at the 12th rib, percent ribeye fat (marbling) and scrotal circumference. When ending weights are recorded, the bulls are each given an ultrasound by Dr. Lorna Pelton, which measures the average daily gain on the bulls.

"She collects the scrotal circumference and inner muscular fat, which is the good kind that really adds to the product. She also measures the fat thickness on the outside of the body, which is bad. It's a nuisance that doesn't add to the taste," Hill explained. "She also measures the size of the ribeye. It's the number one indicator of muscling. It's not just the bone and hide and body fat you're selling."

This year, 86 bulls are participating in the test.

"Two bulls were sent away for having a bad attitude," said Hill. "If he's got a bad attitude, he's history."

The top end of the performance test will offer bulls for sale in the Performance Bull Gain Test Sale on December 11, 2004 at the F.E. Hill Company Ranch.

"We assign an economic value to the bull and he is given a score and put in a pen to sell," said Hill. "Producers like the sale because there is not a person using a microphone, giving them one minute to select a bull that will affect their herd for the next five years. The sale is a neat way for them to choose exactly what they want."

In 2003, the highest selling bull sold for $3,500. There were also six bulls that gained over four pounds per day (a 16 percent increase), 10 bulls with more than a 40 inch scrotum (four percent increase), 11 bulls with a 15-inch ribeye or better (36 percent increase), and 11 bulls with over a 4.00 ultrasound reading, which would put them in the average choice grade. Hill raises an average 1,250-pound cow herd.

"The test measures efficiency. It measures how big a cow is compared to how her calf does," Hill said. "It's a great experience, primarily for producers in this state who are going for a bull that adapts well here."

For more information on the bull gain test and sale on December 11, contact the F.E. Hill Company at 903-389-3616 or email to dickie@fehillco.com.