The Genetic Contribution of
Centralised Growth Tested Bulls
Yvette Steyn & Helena Theron
1
Index
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Angus ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Afrikaner ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Braunvieh .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Beefmaster ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Bonsmara .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Charolais ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Drakensberger ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Gelbvieh .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Hereford .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Hugenoot ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Nguni............................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Pinzgauer......................................................................................................................................................................... 15
South Devon.................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Sussex ............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Tuli .................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Summary ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19
2
Introduction
Breeding bulls are tested in central growth testing stations and measured for various production traits, including
weights, ADG (average daily gain), feed efficiency, feed intake and body measurements. Bulls receive certification at
the end of the test according to the level of performance. Certification codes are Gold, Silver, Bronze, Sub-merit,
Slaughter and Rejected. The impact of centralized growth tests were investigated by the number of bulls receiving
merits, as well as the number of bulls with progeny and number of progeny per breed.
Data of bulls in centralised growth tests between April 1985 and February 2013 were investigated. Various breeds
were investigated, totalling 20 009 bulls. Results of each breed are presented and discussed. This study however has
some limitations. The impact cannot be captured in full, as only registered progeny of bulls are recorded. Bulls with
registered progeny contribute further to the genetic pool of stud animals, which in turn influences the overall
population. In addition, the progeny reported here are only of first generation, not subsequent generations. It also does
not give an indication of the retention of offspring (how many offspring were selected to breed). Merit bulls are also
sold to commercial farmers and although they have an impact on commercial cattle, they do have an impact on stud
animals.
The following table summarises the number of bulls with progeny, mean progeny per bull, maximum progeny for a
sire and total progeny per merit of all breeds.
Merit
Nr of bulls
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
3548
4125
4593
1215
1248
4550
Bulls with
progeny
953
808
649
135
28
33
Mean progeny
per sire
49.3
46.09
37.73
34.42
26.82
29.48
Maximum
progeny
1444
621
589
513
302
225
Total progeny
46981
37242
24485
4647
751
973
The pie graph presents the proportions of bulls with progeny. In other words, the percentages in the pie chart indicate
the proportion of merit bulls out of all bulls with progeny, therefore 37% of all bulls with progeny were awarded with
a gold merit.
Nr of bulls
Bulls with progeny
5%
1%
1%
Gold
18%
24%
Silver
37%
25%
7%
6%
Bronze
Sub-merit
21%
Slaughter
31%
24%
Rejected
Figure 1: All bulls with merit and merit bulls with progeny
Although most bulls receive Bronze merit (24%), followed by Silver (21%) and Gold (18%), most Gold merit bulls
have registered progeny (37%), followed by Silver (31%) and Bronze (25%). 37% of bulls received Sub-merit or
Slaughter merit or were rejected and 7% of these bulls had stud progeny.
3
Angus
Merit
Nr of bulls
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
186
207
222
103
44
48
Nr of bulls
Mean
with progeny progeny
per sire
66
42.67
46
36.67
39
35.05
7
14.57
3
6
1
225
Max
progeny
Total progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
184
469
193
39
10
225
2816
1687
1367
102
18
225
35.5
22.2
17.6
6.8
6.8
2.1
The Angus breed is one of the most popular breeds. The number of bulls with progeny decreases as merits decrease –
Gold (66), Silver (46), Bronze (39), Sub-merit (7), Slaughter (3) and Rejected (1). The same applies for mean
progeny and total progeny however, 225 offspring were produced from a bull that was rejected. This is more
offspring than maximum offspring of bulls with bronze merit, and more than the total offspring produced by sub-merit
bulls. These are visually presented in the pie charts in figure 1.1. A total progeny of 18 were produced by 3 bulls with
a slaughter merit. It is important to note that this is only the impact these bulls had in stud herds. Therefore an even
greater impact might be observed in the commercial population. Bulls are sold to commercial farmers and their
offspring are not registered. Only 35.5% of bulls with gold merit were used by stud breeders, 22.2% of silver merit,
17.6% of bronze merit, 6.8% of sub-merit, 6.8% of slaughter bulls and 2.1 of rejected bulls. The bulls with merits
versus the bulls with progeny are presented in the column graph in figure 1.2.
Angus bulls with progeny
4%
2%
Angus total progeny
1%
2%
Gold
0%
4%
Silver
41%
24%
22%
Bronze
45%
Sub-merit
Slaughter
28%
27%
Rejected
Figure 1.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Angus bulls
300
200
100
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Sub-merit
Bulls with progeny
Figure 1.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
4
Slaughter
Rejected
Afrikaner
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
120
161
150
97
58
57
44
48
29
11
2
2
Merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
Mean
progeny per
sire
45.3
58.9
54.9
49.82
14.5
13.5
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
179
313
161
120
24
25
1993
2827
1592
548
29
27
36.67
29.81
19.33
11.34
3.45
3.51
Silver merit bulls had by far the biggest impact in the breed. More bulls with silver merit had progeny compared to
bulls with gold merit. They also had a higher mean progeny per sire (and a maximum of 134 more than the maximum
progeny from a gold merit sire) and 834 more total progeny. Progeny was produced from bulls that were certified as
slaughter and rejected bulls. The total number of progeny is in the following descending order: Silver, Gold, Bronze,
Sub-merit, Not inspected, Slaughter and Rejected. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are
presented in pie charts in figure 2.1. Bulls were used by commercial farmers, with only 36.67% of gold merit bulls
being used by stud breeders, 29.81% silver, 19.33% bronze, 11.34% sub-merit, 3.45% slaughter, 3.51% rejected and
30% not inspected. The number of bulls with merits and number of bulls with progeny are presented in the column
graph in figure 2.2.
Afrikaner bulls with progeny
2%
2%
Afrikaner total progeny
1%
Gold
8%
8%
Silver
32%
21%
0%
Bronze
28%
23%
Sub-merit
Slaughter
35%
40%
Rejected
Figure 2.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Afrikaner bulls
200
150
100
50
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Sub-merit
Bulls with progeny
Figure 2.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
5
Slaughter
Rejected
Braunvieh
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
82
80
86
42
30
33
19
24
6
1
Mean
progeny per
sire
32.06
27.21
31.42
29.67
2
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
123
127
108
93
2
1058
517
754
178
2
40.24
23.75
27.91
14.29
3.33
The Braunvieh is one of the smaller breeds, which might make proportions and percentages seem inflated and should
be interpreted with caution. Bulls with gold merit had more bulls with progeny and more total progeny. Bronze merit
bulls were used more than silver merit bulls and produced 237 more total progeny. The total progeny from merit bulls
were in the following descending order: Gold, Bronze, Silver, Sub-merit and Slaughter. There was progeny produced
from one bull certified as a slaughter bull. The proportions of bulls used and total progeny are presented in the pie
charts in figure 3.1. Most bulls were used by commercial farmers, with 40.24% of gold merit bulls being used by stud
breeders, 23.75% of silver merit bulls, 27.91% of bronze merit bulls, 14.29% of sub-merit bulls and 3.33% of
slaughter merit bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus the number of bulls with progeny is presented in figure
3.2.
Braunvieh bulls with
progeny
7% 1%
0%
7%
BM taken
Gold
40%
29%
Braunvieh total progeny
42%
30%
Silver
Bronze
23%
21%
Sub-merit
Figure 3.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Braunvieh bulls
100
80
60
40
20
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 3.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
6
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Beefmaster
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
28
28
24
3
14
1
7
1
Mean
progeny per
sire
16.71
25
30.71
26
Max progeny Total
progeny
38
25
100
26
234
25
215
26
% Bulls used
by stud
breeders
50
3.57
29.17
33.33
The Beefmaster breed does not send many bulls for centralised growth testing. Statistical analysis on these bulls can
therefore be deceiving. A mere number of 14 bulls with gold merit had progeny, 1 with silver merit and 7 with bronze
merit. Bulls with bronze merit had the highest mean progeny as well as the highest maximum progeny per sire (100),
which is 62 more than the maximum progeny per sire with gold merit. The total progeny produced by different merit
bulls are in the following descending order: Gold, Bronze, Sub-merit, Silver. The proportions of bulls with progeny
and total progeny are presented in figures 4.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers, with 50% of gold merit
bulls being used by stud breeders, 3.57% of silver merit bulls, 29.17% of bronze merit bulls and 33.33% of sub-merit
bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus bulls with progeny is presented in figure 4.2.
Beefmaster bulls with
progeny
Beefmaster total progeny
5%
4%
Gold
31%
47%
Silver
43%
Bronze
61%
Sub-merit
4%
5%
Figure 4.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Beefmaster bulls
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bronze
Bulls with progeny
Figure 4.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
7
Sub-merit
Bonsmara
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
1756
2236
2560
147
662
3916
436
417
337
7
1
16
Mean
progeny per
sire
64.5
55.01
42.75
21.29
32
21.06
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
1444
621
589
66
32
150
28120
22940
14406
149
32
337
24.83
18.65
13.16
4.76
0.15
0.41
The Bonsmara breed is the largest breed registered at SA Stud Book. Its large number of animals increases the
reliability of statistical analyses. Some animals of slaughter and rejected merits had registered progeny, which is a
matter of concern, especially since the total progeny produced from 16 rejected bulls is high (337), with 188 more than
progeny from sub-merit bulls. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are presented in figures 5.1.
The total numbers of progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending order: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Rejected,
Sub-merit and Slaughter. Most of the bulls were used by commercial farmers, with only 24.83% of bulls with gold
merit used by stud breeders, 18.65% of silver merit bulls, 13.16% bronze merit bulls, 4.76% sub-merit bulls, 0.15%
slaughter bulls, 0.41% rejected bulls and 7.69% not inspected bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus bulls
used by stud breeders is presented in figure 5.2.
Bonsmara total progeny
Bonsmara bulls with progeny
1%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
Gold
28%
22%
Silver
36%
43%
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
34%
35%
Rejected
Figure 5.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Bonsmara bulls
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Sub-merit
Bulls with progeny
Figure 5.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
8
Slaughter
Rejected
Charolais
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Rejected
86
76
143
47
33
33
20
23
4
2
Mean
progeny per
sire
39.03
20.45
41.65
49.5
28
Max progeny
Total
progeny
191
127
148
108
37
1288
409
958
198
56
% Bulls used
by stud
breeders
38.37
26.32
16.08
8.51
6.06
The Charolais breed had more bronze merit bulls than other merit bulls. Bronze merit bulls also had the highest mean
progeny per side and second most total progeny. The total progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending
order: Gold, Bronze, Silver, Sub-merit and Rejected. Two rejected bulls had registered progeny, with a total of 56
progeny. The proportions of number of bulls with progeny and total progeny are presented in figures 6.1. Most of the
bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 38.37% of gold merit bulls used by stud breeders, 26.32% of silver
merit bulls, 16.08% of bronze merit bulls, 8.51% of sub-merit bulls and 6.06% of rejected bulls. The number of bulls
with merits versus the bulls with progeny is presented in figure 6.2.
Charolais bulls with progeny
Charolais total progeny
5% 3%
2%
Gold
40%
28%
7%
Silver
44%
Bronze
33%
Sub-merit
24%
Rejected
14%
Figure 6.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Charolais bulls
200
150
100
50
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 6.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
9
Sub-merit
Rejected
Drakensberger
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
144
206
183
79
55
128
45
46
17
8
2
2
Mean
progeny
per sire
45.53
47.65
20.12
97.25
12
10
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by stud
breeders
267
202
68
368
23
13
2049
2192
342
778
24
20
31.25
22.33
9.29
10.13
3.64
1.56
The Drakensberger breed is a local breed said to be well adapted. Bulls with silver merit were mostly used. However,
sub-merit bulls had the highest mean progeny per sire and by far the highest maximum progeny per sire (101 more
than the maximum offspring of a gold merit bull and 166 more than the maximum progeny of a silver merit bull). The
number of total offspring per merit is in the following order: Silver, Gold, Sub-merit, Bronze, Slaughter and Rejected.
This order is odd and not what one would expect. The proportions of number of bulls with progeny and total progeny
are presented in figures 7.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 31.25% of gold merit bulls used
by stud breeders, 22.33% of silver merit bulls, 9.29% of bronze merit bulls, 10.13% of sub-merit bulls, 3.64% of
slaughter bulls, and 1.56% of rejected bulls. There are slaughter and rejected bulls with registered progeny in the
breed, which should not be the case. The number of bulls with merits versus the number of bulls with registered
progeny is presented in figure 7.2.
Drakensberger bulls with
progeny
7% 2%
Drakensberger total
progeny
2%
Silver
14%
37%
0%
1%
Gold
6%
Bronze
14%
38%
Sub-merit
38%
41%
Slaughter
Rejected
Figure 7.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Drakensberger bulls
300
200
100
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Sub-merit
Bulls with progeny
Figure 7.3: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
10
Slaughter
Rejected
Gelbvieh
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls with
progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
30
33
39
9
9
6
6
1
Mean
progeny
per sire
30.33
39
35.33
35
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
105
127
76
35
273
234
212
35
% Bulls used
by stud
breeders
30
18.18
15.38
11.11
There are only three registered Gelbvieh stud breeders, of which only two participate in performance testing. Their
numbers are therefore small and percentages can be misleading. The total progeny produced from bulls are in the
following order: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Sub-merit. The bull with the most progeny is a silver merit bull. Silver
merit bulls also have the highest mean progeny per sire. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are
presented in figures 8.1. Most of the bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 30% of gold merit bulls used by
stud breeders, 18.18% of silver merit bulls, 15.38 of bronze merit bulls and 11.11% of sub-merit bulls. The number of
merit bulls versus the number of bulls with progeny is presented in figure 8.2.
Gelbvieh bulls with progeny
Gelbvieh total progeny
5%
8%
Gold
27%
35%
36%
28%
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
30%
31%
Figure 8.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Gelbvieh bulls
50
40
30
20
10
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bronze
Bulls with progeny
Figure 8.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
11
Sub-merit
Hereford
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
98
119
165
95
45
38
38
26
13
4
Mean
progeny
per sire
31.76
34.13
29.12
16.23
20.25
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
237
270
215
61
45
1207
1092
757
211
81
38.78
31.93
15.76
13.68
8.89
The Hereford breed has registered progeny from 4 bulls with slaughter merit, with a total of 81 progeny. The highest
mean progeny per sire was from silver merit bulls, as well as the maximum progeny for a sire (33 progeny more than
the maximum progeny from a gold merit bull). The total progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending
order: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Sub-merit, and Slaughter. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are
presented in figures 9.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 38.78% of gold merit bulls used by
stud breeders, 31.93% of silver merit bulls, 15.76% of bronze merit bulls, 13.68% of sub-merit bulls and 8.89% of
slaughter bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus the number of bulls with registered progeny is presented in
figure 9.2.
Hereford total progeny
Hereford bulls with progeny
2%
3%
6%
Gold
11%
32%
Silver
36%
23%
Bronze
22%
Sub-merit
Slaughter
32%
33%
Figure 9.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Hereford bulls
200
150
100
50
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 9.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
12
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Hugenoot
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
18
48
45
41
16
7
9
5
3
1
Mean
progeny
per sire
32.86
32.33
46.2
44.33
46
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
57
174
150
65
46
230
291
231
133
46
38.89
18.75
11.11
7.32
6.25
The Hugenoot breed has one bull with a slaughter merit with 46 registered progeny. Silver merit bulls were mostly
used, with both the highest maximum progeny per sire (117 more than the maximum progeny from a gold merit sire)
and total progeny (61 more than progeny from gold merit bulls). Bronze merit bulls had the highest mean progeny per
sire and a maximum progeny per sire that’s 93 more than the maximum progeny from a gold merit sire. The total
progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending order: Silver, Bronze, Gold, Sub-merit and Slaughter. The
proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are presented in figures 10.1. Most bulls are used by commercial
farmers, with only 38.89% of gold merit bulls used by stud breeders, 18.75% of silver merit bulls, 11.11% of bronze
merit bulls, 7.32% of sub-merit bulls and 6.25% of slaughter bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus bulls with
progeny is presented in figure 10.2.
Hugenoot bulls with progeny
Hugenoot total progeny
4%
5%
Gold
12%
28%
14%
Silver
25%
Bronze
20%
Sub-merit
25%
31%
Slaughter
36%
Figure 10.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Hugenoot bulls
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 10.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
13
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Nguni
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Rejected
11
14
21
10
16
3
5
3
1
1
Mean
progeny
per sire
16.33
51.8
31.33
17
8
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
32
136
76
17
8
49
259
94
17
8
27.27
35.71
14.29
10
6.25
The Nguni breed has a lot of breeders but very few participants in centralised performance testing. Silver merit bulls
were used most by stud breeders, with the highest mean progeny per sire of 51.8 and the highest maximum progeny
per sire (136, which is 104 more than the maximum progeny from a gold merit sire). The total progeny per merit bulls
are in the following descending order: Silver, Bronze, Gold, Sub-merit and Rejected. The proportions of bulls with
progeny and total progeny from merit bulls are presented in figures 11.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers,
with only 27.27% of gold merit bulls used by stud breeders, 35.71% of silver merit bulls, 14.29% of bronze merit
bulls, 10% of sub-merit bulls and 6.25% of rejected bulls. The number of bulls with merits versus the number of bulls
with registered progeny is presented in figure 11.2.
Nguni bulls with progeny
Nguni total progeny
4%
8%
8%
11%
Gold
23%
2%
22%
Silver
Bronze
23%
Sub-merit
38%
61%
Rejected
Figure 11.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Nguni bulls
25
20
15
10
5
0
Gold
Silver
Bronze
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 11.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
14
Sub-merit
Rejected
Pinzgauer
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
42
36
34
16
18
6
7
1
Mean
progeny
per sire
33.22
11.5
23.43
5
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
140
35
56
5
598
69
164
5
42.86
16.67
20.59
6.25
The Pinzgauer breed mostly used gold merit bulls, with the highest mean progeny per sire as well as the highest
maximum progeny per sire. Bronze merit bulls had a greater impact than silver merit bulls, with a total of 95 progeny
more than total progeny from silver merit bulls. The total progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending
order: Gold, Bronze, Silver, and Sub-merit. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are presented in
figures 12.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 42.86% of gold merit bulls used by stud breeders,
16.67% of silver merit bulls, 20.59% of bronze merit bulls and 6.25% of sub-merit bulls. The total number of bulls
versus bulls with progeny is presented in figure 12.2.
Pinzgauer total progeny
Pinzgauer bulls with progeny
1%
3%
20%
Gold
22%
Silver
19%
8%
Bronze
56%
71%
Sub-merit
Figure 12.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Pinzgauer bulls
50
40
30
20
10
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bronze
Bulls with progeny
Figure 12.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
15
Sub-merit
South Devon
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
20
16
29
6
6
3
6
3
Mean
progeny
per sire
78
69.33
61
49
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
165
187
173
134
468
208
366
147
30
18.75
20.69
50
The South Devon breed is a small breed and therefore statistics should be interpreted with caution. Gold and bronze
merit bulls have mostly been used, with 6 bulls each, while silver and sub-merit bulls were 3 each. Gold merit bulls
have the highest mean progeny while a silver merit bull has the most progeny. The total progeny from merit bulls are
in the following descending order: Gold, Bronze, Silver and Sub-merit. The proportions of bulls with progeny and
total progeny are presented in figures 13.1. Most bulls are used by commercial farmers, with only 30% of gold merit
bulls used by stud breeders, 18.75% of silver merit bulls, 20.69% of bronze merit bulls and 50% of sub-merit bulls.
The total number of bulls versus bulls with progeny is presented in figure 13.2.
South Devon bulls with
progeny
17%
South Devon total
progeny
12%
Gold
33%
39%
Silver
31%
Bronze
33%
Sub-merit
17%
18%
Figure 13.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
South Devon bulls
40
30
20
10
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bronze
Bulls with progeny
Figure 13.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
16
Sub-merit
Sussex
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
60
66
63
39
20
15
10
7
Mean
progeny
per sire
28
27.87
19.8
54.43
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
102
135
97
153
560
418
198
381
33.33
22.73
15.87
17.95
The Sussex stud breeders mostly used gold merit bulls, followed by silver, bronze and sub-merit. However, the mean
progeny per sire (26.53 more than gold merit bulls) and maximum progeny (51 more than gold merit bulls) are highest
for sub-merit bulls. The total progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending order: Gold, Silver, Sub-merit
and Bronze. The proportions of bulls with progeny and total progeny are presented in figures 14.1. Most bulls are
used by commercial farmers, with only 33.33% of gold merits used by stud breeders, 22.73% of silver merit bulls,
15.87% of bronze merit bulls and 17.95% of sub-merit bulls. The number of bulls versus bulls with progeny is
presented in figure 14.2.
Sussex total progeny
Sussex bulls with progeny
14%
24%
Gold
38%
36%
Silver
19%
Bronze
13%
Sub-merit
29%
27%
Figure 14.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Sussex bulls
80
60
40
20
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bronze
Bulls with progeny
Figure 14.2: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
17
Sub-merit
Tuli
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nr of bulls
with progeny
Gold
Silver
Bronze
12
7
15
5
4
6
Mean
progeny
per sire
26.2
41.25
27
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
% Bulls used by
stud breeders
53
100
93
131
165
162
41.67
57.14
40
The Tuli breed is fairly small and not keen participants in central performance testing. There are few bulls and
therefore statistics should be interpreted with caution. Bronze merit bulls were mostly used, but silver merit bulls had
the highest mean progeny and maximum progeny. The total progeny from merit bulls are in the following descending
order: Silver, Bronze and Gold. This order is not as would be expected. The proportions of bulls with progeny and
total progeny are presented in figures 15.1. Many bulls are used by commercial farmers, with 41.67% of gold merit
bulls used by stud breeders, 57.14% of silver merit bulls and 40% of bronze merit bulls. The number of bulls with
merits versus bulls with progeny is presented in figure 15.2.
Tuli bulls with progeny
33%
40%
Tuli total progeny
29%
35%
Gold
Silver
Bronze
36%
27%
Figure 15.1: The proportion of merit bulls with progeny and total progeny from merit bulls
Tuli bulls
20
15
10
5
0
Gold
Silver
All bulls
Bulls with progeny
Figure 15.3: All the bulls with merits versus the bulls with progeny
18
Bronze
Summary
Breed
Merit
Nr of bulls
Angus
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Slaughter
186
207
222
103
44
48
120
161
150
97
58
57
82
80
86
42
30
28
28
24
3
1756
2236
2560
147
662
3916
86
76
143
47
33
144
206
183
79
55
128
30
33
39
9
98
119
165
95
45
18
48
45
41
16
Afrikaner
Braunvieh
Beefmaster
Bonsmara
Charolais
Drakensberger
Gelbvieh
Hereford
Hugenoot
Nr of bulls
with
progeny
66
46
39
7
3
1
44
48
29
11
2
2
33
19
24
6
1
14
1
7
1
436
417
337
7
1
16
33
20
23
4
2
45
46
17
8
2
2
9
6
6
1
38
38
26
13
4
7
9
5
3
1
19
Mean
progeny
per sire
42.67
36.67
35.05
14.57
6
225
45.3
58.9
54.9
49.82
14.5
13.5
32.06
27.21
31.42
29.67
2
16.71
25
30.71
26
64.5
55.01
42.75
21.29
32
21.06
39.03
20.45
41.65
49.5
28
45.53
47.65
20.12
97.25
12
10
30.33
39
35.33
35
31.76
34.13
29.12
16.23
20.25
32.86
32.33
46.2
44.33
46
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
184
469
193
39
10
225
179
313
161
120
24
25
123
127
108
93
2
38
25
100
26
1444
621
589
66
32
150
191
127
148
108
37
267
202
68
368
23
13
105
127
76
35
237
270
215
61
45
57
174
150
65
46
2816
1687
1367
102
18
225
1993
2827
1592
548
29
27
1058
517
754
178
2
234
25
215
26
28120
22940
14406
149
32
337
1288
409
958
198
56
2049
2192
342
778
24
20
273
234
212
35
1207
1092
757
211
81
230
291
231
133
46
Breed
Merit
Nr of bulls
Nguni
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Rejected
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Sub-merit
Gold
Silver
Bronze
11
14
21
10
16
42
36
34
16
20
16
29
6
60
66
63
39
12
7
15
Pinzgauer
South Devon
Sussex
Tuli
Nr of bulls
with
progeny
3
5
3
1
1
18
6
7
1
6
3
6
3
20
15
10
7
5
4
6
20
Mean
progeny
per sire
16.33
51.8
31.33
17
8
33.22
11.5
23.43
5
78
69.33
61
49
28
27.87
19.8
54.43
26.2
41.25
27
Max
progeny
Total
progeny
32
136
76
17
8
140
35
56
5
165
187
173
134
102
135
97
153
53
100
93
49
259
94
17
8
598
69
164
5
468
208
366
147
560
418
198
381
131
165
162