Bull Test

About the Test

Fifty-five bulls were delivered to the Western Illinois University Bull Test Station on October 6 and 7, 2008. The official test will begin on October 28, 2008 and run for 112 days until weighed off test on February 17, 2009. The 37th annual sale will be held at 7pm on Friday March 20, 2009 at the Western Illinois University Livestock Center located 1 mile west of Highway 67 on Tower Road.

The bulls listed on the following pages have undergone rigorous performance testing to provide you with the most information possible when buying a bull – growth, carcass and reproductive data. All bulls in the sale have undergone a complete reproductive soundness exam and are guaranteed breeders, ready to go to work for you. All bulls were SureHealthTM certified coming on test and tested for Johnes. Again this year, all bulls were tested free of persistently infected BVD.

Bulls will sell in order by overall index. There is a minimum $1000 price for each bull. When you consider the amount of proven production data these bulls bring with them, you’ll realize what value they can add to your herd, not only next year, but in years to come.

When the sale is over, we’ll begin loading out the bulls. For the safety of your bull and those working with the bulls, we’ll begin loading out the bulls only after the sale has ended. If you can’t take your bull with you that night, just let us know and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.

We welcome you to look at the bulls prior to sale day. The test station is always open to prospective buyers. If you give us a call ahead of time at 309/298-2233, we’ll be there to answer any questions you may have and to help you move the bulls around for better viewing.

We’ll start registering buyers at about 5:00, so come early to see the bulls and visit with the breeders. A food stand will be open at that time. We think you’ll be impressed with the bulls and their performance figures. Come take advantage of the genetics that can help your herd. The sale-day phone number is (309)298-2949.

Ken Nimrick, Bruce A. Engnell, Co - managers of the WIU Bull Test

Test Station Advisory Council

A special thanks to all who serve on the test station advisory council and help us make the test station even better.

Directions to the sale:

From the north, come into Macomb on Hwy. 67. At the north edge of Macomb, just before you get to the city, turn right (west) onto Tower Road at the sign that points the direction to the WIU Livestock Center and WIU golf course. Go one mile west and the WIU Livestock Center is on your left.

From the west, come into Macomb on Hwy. 136 and turn left (north) onto Wigwam Hollow road at the first stop light (there’s a Casey’s at that turn). Follow Wigwam Hollow Road north through two curves and you’ll be at the WIU Livestock Center.

From the east and south, come into Macomb on either Hwy. 136 or 67(they join at the east edge of Macomb and become Jackson St.), and follow Jackson through Macomb until Highway 67 splits to the north. Go on Hwy. 67 to Tower Road at the very north edge of Macomb. Turn left (west) at the sign that points the direction to the WIU Livestock Center and WIU golf course and go one mile to the WIU Livestock Center, on your left.

Preconditioning programs

Independent university research and practical field experience has confirmed the value in terms of overall animal profitability throughout the beef production chain of an effective health preconditioning program. Progressive commercial producers are now capturing this value, which buyers recognize and are willing to pay for. A documented health program is also an important component of many branded beef alliances that are also adding value to our product. There are a number of good preconditioning programs available and we can not and do not endorse any one over another. However, Merial with their SureHealthTM program are leaders in that it is veterinarian certified, the certified cattle are covered under their limited warranty, and Merial actively helps producers capture the added value of their cattle through the SureHealthTM feeder calf sales. Thanks to Merial for their assistance in implementing the program and with health related items, promotion of the sale, and for providing rib eye steaks for the food stand. We are proud to have Merial as a partner.

For more information, e-mail Ken Nimrick

Thanks to Merial and the SureHealthTM program for partnering with us. Click on the SureHealthTM logo for SureHealthTM information.