University News

WIU Performance Bull Test Underway

November 9, 2005

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program has recently begun its testing program for the new season with an excellent set of bulls, according to Ken Nimrick, agriculture professor and test co-coordinator.

All the bulls are Merial SUREHEALTH certified and tested free of Johnes and persistent BVD again this year, he added. On test are 68 bulls representing the Angus, Simmental, Polled Hereford, Gelbvieh and Red Angus breeds, plus Simmental and Gelbvieh composites. The bulls officially began their test Oct. 25 and will complete the 112-day test Feb. 14, 2006. The 34th annual sale of the top bulls will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2006 with approximately 60 bulls to be entered in the sale. Catalogs for the sale will be available shortly after the bulls finish the testing period.

Nimrick added that extensive production information will be available on these bulls to help breeders improve their herds through known genetic information. This information will include average daily gain, individual feed efficiency, scrotal circumference, ribeye area, fat depth and marbling score. Plus, EPD data for traits such as birthweight, weaning weight and yearling weight will be available to prospective customers.

Information on the bulls is available throughout the testing period at www.wiu.edu/bulltest. Pedigree information as well as production data is available at this site. The bulls are weighed every 28 days throughout the test and the website information will be updated after each weigh period. Prospective buyers are also encouraged to view the bulls on test at the WIU farm.

Midwest breeders with bulls on test include Diamond A Farms of Altamont (IL); Limestone Ridge Angus of Jerseyville (IL); Behrends Farm of Mason City (IL); Bomke Farms of Pleasant Plains (IL); Blue Ridge Land and Cattle of Monticello (IL); Claussen’s Sim and Angus of Bettendorf (IA); Eagle River Angus of Princeville (IL); Hickory Springs Ranch of Dunlap (IL); Gehrke Farms of Delavan (IL); Groennert Angus Farm, Nashville (IL); K-Sha-K Farm of Milan (IL); Hobbs Angus of Good Hope (IL); Boothill Farms of Annawan (IL); Kitley Gelbvieh of Flora (IL); DeKap Angus Farm of Lanark (IL); Craig Kurtz of Dunlap (IL); Dan Maggle of Sturgeon Bay (WI); Randy McCaskill of Clayton (IL); Spencer Pierce of Avon (IL); JR Simmentals of Greenfield (IL); Ranrose Farms of Carthage (IL); James Schreacke of Camp Point (IL); Hunter Farms of Alexis (IL); Sunnyview Farms of Alexander (IL); Springer Angus of Metamora (IL); Strawson Angus of Wilmington (IL); Prairie Creek Angus of Pleasant Plains (IL); Tickridge Angus of Sumner (IL); Thomas Verschoore of Taylor Ridge (IL); Dirk Washburn of Olney (IL); and Washburn Simmentals of Olney (IL).

For more information on the bulls and the testing program, contact Bruce Engnell at 309/298-2233 or Nimrick at 309/298-1288.


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