WIU ag hosts successful Bull Test Sale

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture hosted its 53rd annual Bull Test Sale on March 7 at the WIU Livestock Center.

The evening showcased high-quality bulls, including Angus, Simmental, Percentage Simmental and Red Angus, along with WIU replacement heifers and bred cows, all contributing to a strong and well-attended sale with over 60 registered bidders and over 150 people in attendance.

The bulls averaged $6,235, bred cows averaged $3,300 and replacement heifers $2,133. Two bulls and four females selected from WIU’s own herd performed exceptionally well in the sale.

The top-selling bull was Lot 2 — WS Knock Out 19 consigned by Bill Washburn of Olney. Lot 2 was a Percentage Simmental bull that brought $9,000 and is headed to his new home in Indiana.

The volume buyer with three bulls and three females was Jon Davis from Elmwood.

“The annual Bull Test Sale has been a mainstay event within the School of Agriculture for 53 years,” said WIU Ag Director Andy Baker.

“Faculty, farm staff and students have organized and conducted this event for over five decades. This is the first year that WIU-bred heifers and cows were sold at the sale.

“We truly appreciate our dedicated consignors who put their trust in us to care for the health of their animals and we also want to thank our buyers who attended the sale. It was one of the best sales on record.”

The School of Agriculture utilizes this event as a hands-on teaching tool. While the consignors, or bull owners, receive the check from the sale of their animals, WIU will receive payment for their animals sold along with yardage and labor fees associated with developing the bulls and hosting the event.

Proceeds from the sale support the WIU School of Agriculture, reinforcing the university’s commitment to livestock excellence and experiential student learning.

The event was made possible through the hard work of Keela Trennepohl, WIU’s dedicated farm staff and a strong team of students who played an integral role in conducting the sale.