University News

WIU to Host 45th Performance Tested Bull Sale

February 22, 2017

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University's Beef Evaluation Station will hold its 45th annual performance tested bull sale beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, March 10 at the WIU Livestock Center.

According to John Carlson, professor emeritus and Bull Test Station director, 50 bulls will be sold this year. Breeds represented are Angus, Simmental, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental fractionals and a Charolais fractional. All bulls recently completed a 112-day test period and a breeding soundness exam, and will be ready to go, noted Carlson.

"Extensive production information is available to help cattle producers improve their herds with known genetic information," said Carlson. "In addition to average daily gain, data will be provided on ribeye area, 12th rib fat, marbling, scrotal circumference, pelvic area, frame score and birth and weaning weights, as well as EPD data from the respective breed associations."

Carlson said the bulls performed very well this year.

"We have a good number of bulls that grew faster than five pounds per day and also about a half dozen with ribeyes larger than 16 square inches," he said. "All the information a producer needs is here to help them increase the growth rate of their cattle and make them more muscular and with more marbling to increase their profit."

Carlson said he is proud that at past sales, three of four buyers are repeat customers.

"That shows our past customers are very satisfied with their previous purchases, yet we are also attracting new purchasers, as well," he said.

The WIU Livestock Center is located at 2265 Wigwam Hollow Road, one mile west of U.S. Route 67 on Tower Road, just north of Macomb.

The WIU Bull Test Station is open daily for those who want to view the bulls prior to the sale. It is located just north and east of the livestock center.
Lowderman Auction Service will auctioneer the sale. Registration begins at 5 p.m., and the Sigma Alpha sorority will have a food stand open at that time and through the sale.

For more information and a sale catalog, contact Carlson at JP-Carlson@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1288. A sale catalog will also be online at wiu.edu/cbt/agriculture/bull_test/, and a video catalog of the bulls is online at dvauction.com/video_catalogs/2454.

New this year is an online bidding option. Log-in at dvauction.com/events/65867 to bid on the bulls online. The bull testing program is also on Facebook at facebook.com/WIUPerformanceBullTest.

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