URBANA, Ill. – The 2022 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale offers commercial cow-calf producers and seedstock breeders a place to evaluate and purchase high-quality genetics for their herds. The 61 catalogued bulls include 20 longer-aged 2020 mature bulls and 41 yearlings and include 47 Angus and 14 Simmental and SimAngus.
The sale begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 during the Illinois Beef Expo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
In its 54th year, the sale has sold 4,859 bulls valued at over $9 million, says Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension commercial ag educator and IPT Bull Sale manager.
The sale order is based on a "power score" system that includes 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 $C for Angus, and API and TI for Simmental.
Along with strict requirements for superior Expected Progeny Differences (EPD), 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," says Meteer.
Requirements
All of the 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 also must be tested free for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) using the Persistently Infected (PI) ear notch screening system. All Senior and January yearlings must be fertility tested. All bulls meet weight, frame, and functional soundness evaluations prior to the sale.
Sale Day
The 2022 IPT Bull Sale will feature a few updates to the sale format. All bulls will be on display Wednesday, Feb. 23 and the morning of the sale in Barn 14, located just west of the coliseum. Bulls will be featured on video screens during the live auction in the Artisans Building. This will offer more comfort and hospitality to the buyers and less stress on the cattle.
The IPT Bull Sale catalog, along with supporting information, is available online. The website contains all the pedigree information, adjusted weights, power scores, and EPDs on seven different traits and two dollar value indexes. The website also provides more complete information on how the power score is calculated and a summary of the past 53 IPT Bull Sales. Online bidding will be offered through LiveAuctions.TV.
All bulls will sell with genomic-enhanced EPDs, which increases the accuracy and reliability of the EPD values.
"Most all of this year’s consignors have consigned bulls to previous sales and represent some of the elite seedstock suppliers in the state of Illinois and the Midwest," says Meteer. "These bulls are a direct result of generations of planned matings."
The sale is supported by University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois Animal Science Department, Illinois Simmental Association, Vita-Ferm, Boehringer-Ingleheim, Zoetis 50K, Dearwester Grain, and ABS. For more information on the sale or bulls consigned contact Meteer at 217-430-7030 or email at wmeteer@gmail.com.
SOURCE: Travis Meteer, Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator
EDITOR: Judy Mae Bingman, Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications Manager
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