Western Illinois University School of Agriculture Hosts 50th Performance Tested Bull Sale
The 50th annual Western Illinois University Performance Tested Bull Sale was held March 11 at Lowderman Auction Center in Macomb.
The event had 60 registered buyers from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and Iowa, and sold 35 yearling Angus, Red Angus, Charolais, Simmental and SimAngus bulls across the five states. The bulls averaged $4,073 in this year’s sale, which is record-breaking, averaging almost $1,000 higher per bull than in 2021.
The top sale was an Angus bull consigned by Marda Angus, of Lodi, WI, Marda Black Pearl 1905, which sold for $9,500 to Larry O’Hern of Vermont, IL. Marda Plus One 188, Angus, sold for $8,200 to Campbell Land and Cattle of Illinois. Daniel Haege of Nashville, IL, sold the top Red Angus bull for $6,100 to Painter Starcevich Farms LLP, Farmington, IL.
The top Simmental and SimAngus bulls were consigned by Washburn Simmental of Olney, IL. Both bulls brought $5,000; one selling to Jim Swartz of Pittsfield, IL and the other to Gerald Prince of Indiana. The top Charolais bull was consigned by future WIU Aggie, Anna Link of Rio, IL.
“Several consignors indicated that the staff and students are to be commended for their excellent care and presentation of the bulls,” said WIU Associate Professor of Agriculture and Bull Test Manager Keela Trennepohl. “This is extremely positive momentum in continuing to build the best University-run bull test in the nation. I want to extend a sincere thank you to the farm staff, especially Delson Wilcoxen, the 2022 Beef Production class, and all consignors and buyers for making this a top tier Midwest event.”
For more information about the WIU School of Agriculture, visit wiu.edu/ag.
