Reliability

To Identify Genetically Superior Beef Bulls

Oklahoma Beef Incorporated (OBI) is a breeder owned and financed test station that has been performance testing beef bulls since 1973. OBI is located eight miles west of Stillwater on land leased from Oklahoma State University. Seedstock breeders representing more than 16 breed and bull buyers from at least 15 states have benefited from the OBI legacy.

The unique structure of OBI and its relationship with Oklahoma State University has provided an unbiased program for evaluating breeding bulls of individual producers and a center for bring bull buyers, seedstock producers and performance concepts together. OBI was a dream of many of the leading beef cattle breeders in the early 1970's. Seedstock leaders of Oklahoma had an interest in improving postweaning gain performance in registered bulls. Listing all the breeders that had a signifigant impact on making OBI what it is todaywould surely fall short of being complete.

Over the years, OBI has grown to be the second largest test station in the United States. Since 1974, over 16,000 bulls have been tested in the OBI postweaning gain tests. The current capacity of OBI is 740 head. Aproximately 1,000 bulls are tested at OBI annually.

Performance

To Report Performance Traits from Testing

All OBI bulls are tested according to the procedures recommended by the Beef Improvement Federation Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs. Each bull developed at OBI is housed and fed in his respective breed barn. One ration is fed to all bulls throughout the 112 day test. Bulls of some breeds are fed using self feeders; other breeds are fed using fenceline bunks.

OBI is governed by a board of directors consisting of nine member breeds: Angus, Beefmaster, Brangus Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford (Horned and Polled), Limousin, Red Brangus, and Simmental, although the number of breeds and frequency of tests varies by year, participation and available space.

Test results include Average Daily Gain (ADG), Weight per Day of Age (WDA), Adjusted 365 day weight, Scrotal Circumference, Ultrasonic data including Rib Eye Area (REA), Fat Thickness and Percent Intramuscular Fat (assessment of marbling) as well data on Hip height, Computation of performance ratios and Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) as provided by breed associations.

Quality Assurance

To Provide a Source of Bulls to Producers

Two OBI all breed performance tested bull sales are held each year with aproximateld 400 bulls merchandised. The sales are held in October and April. Bulls qualifying for the sale are in the top 70% if their contemporary group in the tests. All bulls merchandised through the OBI sale have passed a breeding soundness exam.

OBI provides modern facilities that are managed by respected professionals supported by the beef industry. Reliability through identification of genetically superior seed stock and effective postweaning performance. Performance through the evaluation of producer breeding stock. Assistance in the improvement of economically important traits with accurate performance data and quality Assurance by providing performance tested bulls available to commercial producers from multiple breeds at one central location and performance tested bull sales held twice annualy. All of these reasons make it worth your while to work with OBI. So contact your county extension specialist or contact us. Thank you for learning more about OBI.