Greenville Livestock Auction
April 12, 2025
Total: 139
Feeder: 139 (100.0%)
Note: Active, Good demand
Fairview Sale Barn
April 3, 2025
Total: 1,600
Feeder: 1,600 (100.0%)
Trade: Excellent demand on a strong trade
United Producers
April 15, 2025
Total: 270
Feeder: 80 (29.6%)
Slaughter: 177 (65.6%)
Breeding: 13 (4.8%)
Trade: Sale report sourced from UPI
Illinois Weekly Summary
April 14, 2025
Total: 793
Feeder: 0 (0.0%)
Slaughter: 654 (82.5%)
Replacement: 39 (17.5 %)
by Devin Bollman
For those of us in the cow-calf sector, our minds are beginning to shift to that springtime thought processturning our 2025 pairs to grass and working through the plan for setting up and breeding our cow herd for the 2026 calf crop. If you open your IBA calendar, you will find that breeding for a February/March timeline is creeping up on us, and as someone once said to me during one of my routine membership calls last February, “don’t you know literally everyone is calving right now?” So, let’s dive into it.
Early spring seems to be the ideal calving season here in Illinois, but for some of us, we start as early as late winter, even rolling into late spring. While of course everyone wants to keep a tight calving window, it always seems as if our cows just do not roll with the flow of our perfectly thought-out plan, thus, we might end up with a couple calving windows. It is best to start early and get a plan set in motion, whether you are doing a round or two of AI followed by a cleanup bull or just turning your herd bull out for the breeding season. Each operation does it a little different, but as I have learned since becoming an Illinoisian – most operations need to be done by planting.
When it comes to setting up your cow herd for one, two, or maybe more rounds of AI depending on a variety of factors like herd size, herd make up, genetic potential, or whether/how soon you are turning out the clean up bull, it is common practice now for many operations to implement an estrus synchronization protocol for replacement females, or even a group of cows. There are several difference CIDR protocols out there that all work,
but it is crucial to consider which version and timeline based on the age and make-up of the females you are breeding. Consulting your herd veterinarian is extremely important, not only for deciding which protocol is best for your herd but managing the protocol process throughout the entire cycle.
If you are turning a bull out on the cows and hoping for a March calving window, you are considering turning your bull out sometime in June. That means right about now your bulls are undergoing a BSE, or breeding soundness exam. Just like you tune up your planter and check your farm equipment before you head out to start planting, you should put the same consideration into your herd bull. A BSE is going to help evaluate the fertility and reproductive capabilities of a bull, examining semen quality, lameness, or other health problems that might prevent the bull from getting the job done. Setting up your groups of females is also determined by your bull and how many females he must cover. For the younger yearling bulls, a good rule of thumb is one cow per month of age, meaning a 15-month-old bull can cover about 15 cows in a regular 45-to-90-day breeding season. After the two-year mark, a bull should be able to cover 25-35 until around six to eiight years, when they become an older bull and might be prone to more issues that can prevent them from completing their job, but that is for you and your vet to determine through tactics like the BSE.
Overall, we wish you the best of luck this breeding season and remind you to consult with your veterinarian!
For more information and resources from the University of Illinois’ Beef Extension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/cattle-connection
IBA Presents Mom of the Farm
Accepting Nominations through May 2, 2025
Whether it’s feeding kids or cows, doing house or barn chores, hauling to a show or soccer practice, moms play one of the most hardworking roles on every farm! In recognition of their love, dedication, and devotion to family and livestock, we want you to nominate your mom for Beef Mom of the Farm. We’ll share each nomination on social media and send them a special gift and randomly select three moms as “Mom of the Farm” to win exclusive Mother’s Day baskets!
All you have to do is send in your nomination including mom’s name, mailing address, a picture or two of mom in action at the farm or stock show, and the reason you think she deserves to be recognized as “Mom of the Farm” in written form, audio form, or video form! Message us one of our social media platforms or email Devin at devin@illinoisbeef.com your nomination by May 2 to get your mom recognized!
May Beef Month Beef Eaters Club
For May Beef Month, the Illinois Beef Association is inviting you to join the Beef Eaters Club!
All month long, if you dine out at any restaurant in Illinois and order at least one beef item, send in a copy of your receipt to the Illinois Beef office to join our Beef Eaters Club. Every Beef Eaters Club member will receive their own annual Beef Eaters Club Sticker, as well as be entered into the drawing for a chance to win one of our amazing prizes!
Club members can submit a maximum of 31 receipts (one per day during the month of May). Receipts should be mailed to the IBA office. Members should include with the receipt their name, address, phone number and email, and ensure their name is listed on the return address of theenvelope mailed to the IBA office.
IBA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Illinois State Fairgrounds - Expo Building
Springfield, Illinois
Make plans to join us June 3 for Illinois Beef Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony!
We will have three Cattlemen’s Education Series sessions, and a variety of breakout sessions, now including three BQA Continuing Education sessions. Registration will include lunch, all of the day’s activities, tradeshow, and a prime rib dinner.
Registration information coming soon.
Knox County Cattlemen’s Association
Knox County Cattlemen’s Association hosted their Annual Meeting and Banquet on March 15 beginning at 4:30. The meeting was held at The Vault in Galesburg with dinner provided by Whiteside County Cattlemen’s and Hennhouse BBQ. Along with dinner, the night consisted of a live auction, raffling of baskets, and scholarship and awards presentations. In addition, entertainment consisted of a nutrition panel of industry experts. IBA board members Betsy Pech and Thad Tharp were in attendance representing the Association (pictured left).
Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association
Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association members met for their March meeting at Lisa’s Market Street Grill in Prairie Du Rocher. The evening included dinner, and guest speakers such as Dr. Liz from the Waterloo Animal Hospital who spoke about New World Screwworm and tick borne diseases, and Carmen from Red Bud Feed and Supply. They plan to have a stand at the Waterloo Farmers Market this summer. Their next meeting is July 9.
Adams County Cattle Association
Adams County Cattle Association presented their fourth annual Beef Bonanza on March 22 at The Ambiance in Quincy. Highlights of the night were dinner and beef samples, drinks and live music by Stealin’ Copper. All funds raised will go to support youth involved in agriculture education.
Henry County Cattlemen’s
Henry County Beef Association held their 62nd Annual Banquet on March 22 at the Lavendar Crest Winery in Colona. Social hour began at 5 p.m. and was followed by dinner, a program and an auction run by Bloomberg Auction. Award winners included Young Producers Carsen and Cameron Meyer, Friend of the Industry Dr. Kim Stevens, Outstanding Member Taryn Johnson, and Lifetime Achievement Al Lyman. Scholarship recipients were Jon Stevens, Sam Nightingale, and Avery Knupp. Senior ambassadors selected were Hunter Wexell and Mallory Dwyer and junior ambassadors were Kylee McKeag, Hadaly Curry, and Ellie Knupp.
Stephenson-Winnebago County Beef Association
Stephenson-Winnebago County Beef Association used IBA affiliate grant dollars to present an Agriculture in the Classroom lesson about beef in a local classroom. Pictures are students learning all the agriculture products that make up a football.