URBANA, Ill. — Strong results continue at the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale held on Feb. 19 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The sale averaged $7,284 on 37 lots, setting an all-time record high average for the sale.
"The IPT Bull sale is and continues to be one of the best sources for total performance genetics in the Midwest," says Travis Meteer, IPT sale manager and University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator and beef cattle specialist. "During the past 58 years, the sale has sold 5,067 bulls valued at over $10 million."
The IPT Bull Sale is a multi-breed sale offering both older age-advantaged bulls and yearlings. Meteer said the top-selling bull was a yearling Angus bull, selling for $15,000. The bull, Evans Bandolier 51, was sold by Evans Angus of Virden, Ill., to Bradshaw Brothers of Griggsville, Ill. The high-selling Simmental bull consigned by Rincker Simmentals of Shelbyville, Ill., was sold for $10,000 to Dean Nelson of Onieda, Ill. The second highest-selling Angus bull was also consigned by Evans Angus and sold for $14,000. The high-selling Polled Hereford bull was consigned by Lowderman Cattle Company and sold for $10,500.
“Bulls are a significant contributor to profit or loss in a cattle herd,” says Meteer. “It’s crucial for cattle producers to have the IPT sale as a trusted source when looking to invest in a bull to strengthen their herd.”
Sale sponsors include University of Illinois Extension, the Department of Animal Sciences, part of the College of ACES at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and consigning breeders. Industry support included Axiota, Vita-Ferm, ABS, Zoetis, Dearwester Grain, FerAppease, Sievers JCB, Illinois Angus Association, and Illinois Simmental Association.
Producers interested in viewing a breakdown of all the prices can visit the IPT Bull Sale website. The website includes individual bull prices from the 2026 sale, as well as numbers and averages from previous years.
Seedstock breeders interested in consigning to the 2027 IPT Bull Sale should contact Travis Meteer at 217-430-7030 or wmeteer2@illinois.edu to request a copy of the rules and regulations and nomination form. Nominations need to be made by Dec. 1, 2026, for the 2027 sale.
For more information, visit Illinois Extension’s beef cattle website and featured articles from The Cattle Connection blog. Subscribe to the blog to receive future articles and statewide updates.
SOURCE/WRITER: Travis Meteer, commercial agriculture educator and beef cattle specialist, Illinois Extension
EDITOR: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
PHOTO CAPTION: Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale in the Artisans Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Photo: Devin Bollman, Illinois Beef Association
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.