Commercial cow-calf producers and seedstock breeders interested in purchasing a total performance-tested bull should plan to attend the 2016 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The sale will be held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. in the Livestock Center on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

The sale is the leadoff event for the Illinois Beef Expo, and it marks the 48th year for the event. “There have been 4,628 bulls, valued at over $8.1 million, sold at previous sales,” said Travis Meteer, IPT Bull Sale manager.

BULL SALE: Illinois Performance Test Sale is set for Feb. 25. It's an opportunity for cow-calf producers and seedstock breeders.

This year there are 62 bulls cataloged, with 19 longer-aged 2014 mature bulls and 43 yearlings. A breakdown of the breeds includes 30 Angus, 17 Simmental and SimAngus, and five Polled Hereford. The sale order will be based on a “power score” system that utilizes the economic indexes provided by the breed associations. The power score will be calculated on the percentile rank for these values. The economic indexes are $W and $B for Angus, API and TI for Simmental, and BMI and CHB for Hereford.

Key requirements

Along with strict requirements for superior Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs), bulls must meet some of the most rigorous requirements in the industry. “These bulls don’t just have to pass the test, they have to pass every test,” said Meteer.

All bulls must meet a stringent minimum scrotal circumference for their age. Mothers of the bull are required to test negative for Johne’s Disease or come from a Level 1 or higher herd of the Voluntary Johne’s Certification Program. Bulls must also be tested free for bovine viral diarrhea using the persistently infected ear notch screening system. All senior and January yearlings must be fertility tested. All bulls must meet weight, frame, and functional soundness evaluations prior to the sale.

The 2016 IPT Bull Sale offers some of the most elite bulls found anywhere in the United States as verified by their power scores. Highlighting the 2016 sale will be several genetic powerhouse bulls that have light birth weight, high growth, and carcass desirability. Proven breed-leaders, AI sires, and legendary breed icons fill the pedigrees of the bulls. “There are truly unique combinations of performance, pedigree, and phenotype offered through the sale,” Meteer said.

“All bulls will sell with genomic-enhanced EPDs,” he continued, “which increase the accuracy and reliability of the EPD values. All of this year’s consignors have consigned bulls to previous sales and represent some of the elite seedstock suppliers in Illinois and the Midwest. The bulls available on Feb. 25 are a direct result of generations of planned matings.”

Check out the catalog

The IPT Bull Sale catalog, along with supporting information, can be found online at www.IPTBullSale.com. The website contains all the pedigree information, adjusted weights, power scores and EPDs on seven different traits, and two dollar value indexes. In addition, there is a list of registration numbers for all the bulls that allow prospective buyers to print a “performance pedigree” from the breed associations. The website also provides more complete information on how the PS is calculated, as well as a summary of the past 47 IPT Bull Sales.

Online bidding will be offered through DV Auction.

The sale is supported by University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois Animal Science Department, Illinois Angus Association, Illinois Simmental Association, Vita-Ferm, Merial, Zoetis 50K and ABS. For more information on the sale or bulls consigned contact Travis Meteer at 217-430-7030 or email at [email protected].