Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host its 44th annual Bull Performance Test and Sale on Friday, March 6. The event is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the university’s Beef Evaluation Center, located at 628 Rowden Road. Organizers expect between 100 and 150 beef producers to attend.
According to Jay Nair, assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, the auction will feature 30 bulls and between 10 and 15 heifers or cows. The animals arrived in October and underwent an 84-day evaluation period during which SIU faculty, staff, and students weighed them every 28 days. The team monitored feed intake, body condition, skeletal structure, and used ultrasound technology to assess back fat, intramuscular fat, and ribeye area.
The evaluation process focused on identifying desirable growth performance as well as carcass and genetic traits that could be passed on to offspring. This year’s sale includes Angus, Simmental, and SimAngus breeds.
Nair stated that current high beef prices and steady market indicators suggest that this year’s sale may reach record-high prices. Proceeds from the auction will go back to consigners after covering costs such as feed and veterinary care.
Reporters and media crews are invited to cover the event and speak with faculty members or students involved in the program. For more information or interview arrangements, contact Jay Nair at 618-453-7105 or jay.nair@siu.edu.
Cecilia Castillo, a third-year undergraduate student in zoology who participated in the project, described her experience: “It has been a great experience learning the processes of important livestock husbandries and managements,” Castillo said. The project “has given everyone a great opportunity to understand cattle care and watch young bulls grow expeditiously throughout the testing season.”
She added: “Students are introduced to a comprehensive set of skills covering all aspects of husbandry, including feeding, veterinary care, treatment and prophylaxis, handling bulls through chutes, observing the ribeye ultrasound procedure, understanding semen collection techniques, and studying factors that contribute to genetic efficiency in bulls.”
Nair highlighted that SIU’s Beef Evaluation Center distinguishes SIU Carbondale among Research 1 universities in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Education. Nair’s co-investigators Karen Jones and Eduardo Gastal from the School of Agricultural Sciences are assisting with this year’s test and sale along with Beef Center staff.
(Editor’s note: Jay Nair’s full name is Jayakrishnannair Puthenpurayil Sasidharannair; Jay Nair is acceptable on all references.)
