The Conception to Consumer (C to C) program is the longest running most complete progeny test and carcass merit evaluation program of its type in the world. Since 1968 the conception to consumer program has been testing nominated bulls on commercial cows. This test was originally designed to show the commercial cattlemen the value you could add by using a Charolais bull on their commercial cows. Over the years the program evolved into the main source of carcass data for the production of the Canadian Charolais Carcass EPDs. With the increased interest in using Carcass EPDs for selection decisions and the importance of progeny testing in increasing accuracy values, the Breed Improvement Committee decided in the fall of 2002 that it was time to expand the program so more bulls could be proven each year.
Beginning in the spring of 2004 the Conception to Consumer progeny test is going to be opened up to private progeny test situations. The association has developed guidelines for the revised Conception to Consumer carcass merit evaluation program and you can explore all the options available to increase carcass EPD accuracies by clicking on the links to the left.
If you have any test ideas that you would like to pursue outside of the guidelines presented here feel free to contact the CCA office to discuss them.
