WIU Farms/Research

Kerr Field Lab.Western Illinois University has approximately 700 acres of cropped farmland in Western Illinois.

Agricultural Field Laboratory

The principle teaching and research farm is the Agricultural Field Laboratory, located near the WIU campus in Macomb, Illinois.

The Field Laboratory consists of over 400 acres, of which 270 acres are cropped with the remainder in pasture or woods. The Field Laboratory grows corn and soybeans, and is home to research in milkweed, cuphea, and other alternative crops for western Illinois. In addition to the Agricultural Field Laboratory, WIU leases approximately 80 acres of land 10 miles north of Macomb, for organic farming research and teaching.

Learn more about the Alternative Crops Research Program.

Ag Field Lab.The Agricultural Field Laboratory is also home to a substantial livestock teaching program. Active herds of cattle, swine and sheep provide opportunities for comprehensive student exposure to all aspects of livestock management. Each year the University also conducts the Bull Test and Ram Test to give students experience in collecting livestock performance data.

Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm

In 1989, the Agriculture Department at Western Illinois University identified a historically pesticide-free, limited-fertilizer, 80-acre farm located near the WIU campus. From 1989 through 2002, we have completed systematic sampling and characterization of many chemical, physical, and biological properties of these Sable-Muscatine soils, with the cooperation of scientists from several institutions. We have also completed a characterization of soil invertebrates, and maintained this benchmark field in a pesticide-free condition to serve as an agricultural scientific reserve, for the purpose of conducting research related to soil health and sustainability.

[Learn More About Organic Farming]

Ram Test

Good people and good rams always welcome!!!

The schedule for the 2008 Ram Test is as follows:
Entries are due for the ram test by Monday, March 14th..
84 day test rams are delivered on Saturday, March 22nd.
63 day test rams are delivered on Saturday, April 12th.

Learn More About the WIU Ram Test

Bull Test

Are you ready for higher feed prices?  Balanced rations and good management can affect feed efficiency and cost of production, however studies show that approximately 40% of the differences in feed efficiency are accounted for by genetics.  Reduced feed usage means higher profits from your next calf crop.  What does this mean in dollars and cents?  A bull requiring one pound less feed per pound of gain than another bull will transmit approximately 40% of that advantage or .4 pound less feed per pound of gain to his offspring compared to the other bull.  With ration costs approaching $160.00 per ton and each animal gaining 800 pounds from weaning to harvest, the result is a savings in feed cost of $25.60 per animal.  If that bull sires 100 calves over his lifetime he will put $2560 more in your bank account compared to the other bull.  Can you afford NOT to use a bull with documented feed efficiency?  Remember the benefits will continue to compound down the road as you save replacement females.

The bulls at the Western Illinois University Performance bull test will all have individual feed conversion data. Bull arrived at WIU on October 1 and 2 and will be on test from October 23 to February 12.  
 
Approximately 45 of these rugged, thick-made Angus, Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh, Polled Hereford, Charolais and Composite bulls with a lot of capacity and bred-in performance will be offered for sale at the 36th Annual WIU Performance Tested Bull Sale at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2008 at the WIU Livestock Center on Tower Road in Macomb.  Lowderman Auction Service will auctioneer the sale.

All bulls came on test Merial SureHealthTM certified and tested free of Johnes and persistently infected BVD. Extensive production information is available to help breeders improve their herds through known genetic information.  In addition to average daily gain and feed efficiency, data will also be provided on ribeye area, 12th rib fat, marbling, scrotal circumference, pelvic area, frame score and birthweight, plus EPD data from the respective breed associations.  Again this year some bulls will have DNA test data available.  All bulls offered for sale are screened for soundness and will have completed a breeding soundness exam and are ready for the upcoming breeding season.
                        
 The WIU bull testing station is open daily for those wanting to view the bulls prior to the sale.  Catalogs will go out to our regular mailing list about March 1.  For more information and a sale catalog, contact Ken Nimrick 309-298-1288, Bruce Engnell 309/298-2233, or the WIU Agriculture Department 309-298-1080.  The sale catalog and additional information on the bulls is also available at the test station's web site:    http://www.wiu.edu/bulltest/

File last updated: January 4, 2008