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One of the bulls entered in the Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program in 2016-17. The 45th annual (2016-17) Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program is underway with an outstanding set of bulls, according to WIU School of Agriculture Bull Test Director John Carlson. The program provides data that business-minded beef producers need to improve their bottom lines through improving their genetics, he noted.
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One of the bulls entered in the Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program in 2016-17. Performance and pedigree information on the bulls is available at the bull test station's website at www.wiu.edu/bulltest.
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One of the bulls entered in the Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program in 2016-17. Follow the WIU Performance Bull Test on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WIUPerformanceBullTest.
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WIU 45th Annual Bull Testing Program Underway; Test Data Helps Beef Producers' Bottom Lines

October 4, 2016

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MACOMB, IL — The 45th annual Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program is underway with an outstanding set of bulls, according to WIU School of Agriculture Bull Test Director John Carlson. The program provides data that business-minded beef producers need to improve their bottom lines through improving their genetics, he noted.

The bulls will officially begin in the testing program Wednesday, Oct. 19 and will complete the 112-day test Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. On test are 68 bulls from five states, representing the Angus, Simmental, Polled Hereford, Red Angus and Charolais breeds, plus a number of Simmental composites and a Barzona composite.

"The data gathered for each bull will include average daily gain, scrotal circumference, ribeye area, fat depth and marbling score. Plus, EPD data for such traits as birthweight, weaning weight and yearling weight will be available to prospective customers. An index will also be calculated for each bull, and this will incorporate information on rate of gain, marbling and ribeye area," Carlson explained. "This index will rank bulls by not only examining their growth advantage, but also at the economic advantages their offspring will have by producing better product. By taking advantage of the top genetics available through these tested bulls, economic advantages will be realized by producers for generations to come."

Performance and pedigree information on the bulls is available at the bull test station's website at www.wiu.edu/bulltest.

According to Carlson, the bulls are weighed every 28 days throughout the test, and the website will be updated after each bull is weighed every 28 days. The WIU bull testing station is also open daily for those who want to view the bulls throughout the testing period.

The annual sale of the top bulls will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 10, 2017, at the WIU Livestock Center. Approximately 50 bulls will be entered in the sale. Catalogs for the sale will be available shortly after the bulls finish the testing period.

For more information about the test and to follow the progress of the bulls, visit www.wiu.edu/bulltest or contact Carlson at (309) 298-1288 or via email at JP-Carlson@wiu.edu.

Follow the WIU Performance Bull Test on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WIUPerformanceBullTest.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing