SIU to test young bulls for breeding potential

November 04, 2024

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Young bulls are crowding the pens at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as researchers prepare for the Bull Performance Test and Sale, back on campus for the first time after a five-year absence.

Jayakrishnannair Puthenpurayil Sasidharannair, or "Jay Nair," assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, said the university began receiving the young bulls for testing in October. During the next four and a half months, students, along with Nair and co-investigators Karen Jones and Eduardo Gastal, professors in the School of Agricultural Sciences, will prepare them for sale, testing and measuring all growth and performance standards along the way before selling them on March 7.

Media advisory

The SIU Bull Test officially begins Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7 and 8, with a weighing at the SIU Beef Evaluation Center, 2551 Union Hill Road, Carbondale. Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the event. Contact Jay Nair at [email protected] for more information.

This year, the university accepted 21 bulls on commission, most of them junior bulls. Junior bulls are typically about 7 months old and weigh about 500 to 800 pounds on arrival. A junior bull is typically 1,200 to 1,400 pounds by the spring sale. Senior bulls are larger and are usually just over a year old.

Weight gain and feed efficiency is one key aspect of the study during the next few months. The objective is to test the bulls' potential for producing superior calves that will grow fast and efficiently.

Other tests include frame scores, pelvic measurements, breeding soundness exams and carcass evaluations through the use of ultrasound. The ultrasound test is used to evaluate back fat, intramuscular fat and the "ribeye" area.

In addition, each breed association has its own standard to determine EPD, or expected progeny differences, or other factors besides feed efficiency and ultrasound testing to determine the animal's potential as a sire.

To be eligible for the program, bulls must be registered with a recognized national breed association, come to the facility in good health and meet other criteria.

Students will have the opportunity to learn how to handle large livestock and assess animal health. They also will learn how to conduct the ultrasonic tests and the scheduled weigh-ins.

To determine the breeding soundness of the bulls, a veterinarian will do physical exams, including eyes, feet, legs and overall condition, and they will evaluate the animals' reproductive tracts and semen.

The testing period ends Jan. 30-31.

(Note to editors: "Jay Nair" is acceptable in all references.)

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