Genetic evaluation of the growth of bulls at a performance test station was performed using a single-trait model (STAM) and multi-trait models that included pre-weaning growth. The growth of the bulls was represented by the average daily gain in the test (ADGT). Pre-weaning growth was expressed as average daily gains from birth to 120 days of age (ADG120) and from 120 to 210 days of age (ADG210). The coefficient of heritability across breeds was estimated by all models to be approximately 0.17 for ADG120, 0.13 for ADG210, and 0.27 for ADGT. Some tested models included the random effect of direct permanent environment. All testing criteria prioritized the multi-trait model incorporating the direct permanent effect, which was the most important effect in the model. The values of Spearman’s coefficients of correlation between breeding value predicted by the single-trait and multi-trait models were 0.93, and in the particular models that evaluated 10%, 5% and 1% of the best sires, the values ranged from 0.76 to 0.83.