I LLI NOI S B E E F
SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
#42
devin@illinoisbeef.com
CAT TLE CONCEPTS
MONTHLY N E WS
E- N E W S L E T T E R
| ILLINOIS BEEF ASSOCIATION | SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS | WWW.ILLINOISBEEF.COM |
Market Report
Seedstock Report Upcoming Sales
Greenville Livestock Auction September 6, 2025 Total: 554 Feeder: 554 (100.0%) Trade: Active trade with good demand Notes: Special Feeder Sale
Gensini Show Cattle Pasture Sale SC Online | 09.17.25 Minnaert Show Cattle Frozen Inventory Reduction Sale SC Online | 09.18.25
Fairview Sale Barn September 11, 2025 Total: 1,633 Feeder: 1,633 (100.0%) Trade: Good to very good demand on active trade; higher trends across all weights Notes: Special Feeder Sale
Rincker Simmentals Illini Elite Production Sale Shelbyville | 09.21.25 Gerlach Cattle Co. Online Sale SC Online | 09.28.25
United Producers September 9, 2025 Total: 387 Feeder: 71 (18.4%) Slaughter: 314 (81.1%) Breeding: 2 (0.5%) Notes: Sale report sourced from UPI
Prairie View Farms Fall Production Sale Gridley | 10.03.25 Head Bros. Land & Cattle Hereford Female Sale SC Online | 10.06.25
Illinois Weekly Summary September 15, 2025 Total: 2,623 Feeder: 1,633 (62.3%) Slaughter: 990 (37.7%)
DRY CONDITIONS BLANKET MUCH OF ILLINOIS
SALES REPORTS SOURCED FROM USDA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICES
Double Diamond Angus “Diamonds in the Rough” Heifer Sale SC Online | 10.08.25
SEND SALES REPORTS AND UPCOMING SALE INFORMATION TO DEVIN@ILLINOISBEEF.COM
The late summer heat wave has expanded a seasonal dry spell with each passing day. How do we combat the autumn heat and ‘”flash’” drought conditions? As a Texan, I grew up with extreme heat and the dry weather whiplash we would get as we moved through a season, or even a single September day. This year in Illinois has reminded me of just that. If you recall back to winter, we had quite the snowfall as many of us packed the trailers to head toward Springfield for Illinois Beef Expo, with frigid temps sticking around until well into March for much of the state. Then we rolled into a period of heavy windstorms, supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes across central and parts of southern Illinois, coupled with one of the wettest springs in some parts of the state. That was of course followed by the sweltering days of summer, coincidentally peaking with the second half of Illinois State Fair. Now as we move into harvest season and the typical changing of leaves to tones of autumn, we see the dust of dry conditions and fresh-baked brown leaves crisping off the trees. Southern Illinois faces the brunt of the drought conditions, slowly inching farther north county by county, though Central Illinois is no stranger to the lack of precipitation, with many of those counties seeing below average levels for the entire calendar year. River levels of Kaskaskia, Sangamon, and Vermilion are a few of those with river levels that have dropper near or below stage, with Mackinaw and South Fork dwindling close behind. Soils and vegetation are facing rapidly drying conditions from extreme dryness and high heats across
the southern bits of the state. All of these leading to many threats to our operations - low levels for our natural water sources, nutrition levels from grasses and forages, heat tolerance conditions on cows and feeder cattle, and of course fire and dust risk. A quick check of the U.S. drought monitor map shows about twothirds of Illinois back in drought conditions, and parts of the state have quickly moved into the “severe” drought category. What do we do to combat this? Of course we hold out hope for rain, wash our trucks, all that good stuff, but on the more realistic side of things - wean early, implement water management strategies, cull the old, open and ornery, expand your pastures, contact your local nutritionist about total mixed rations, and check your forages. If you cut hay in those later parts of summer as we began seeing these drought conditions, hay crops can accumulate high levels of nitrate - a risk you don’t want to take when it comes to your herd. If you have questions about managing your cattle and operations as we continue on and see more drought conditions in the forecast, don’t hesitate to reach out to a University of Illinois Beef Extension Specialist or contact us here at the association and we will gladly put you in touch with additional resources. We are monitoring the drought situation and keeping in contact with state and federal officials, to assess if or when drought programs might become necessary.
Illinois Beef Welcomes New Employee Dan Loos, Director of Business Operations IBA is pleased to share the news the association has hired Dan Loos of Springfield as our new Director of Business Operations. In this role, he will be responsible for the administration of all financial and compliance operations for the Illinois Beef Council, the Illinois Beef Association, the Illinois Beef Foundation and the IBA PAC while also serving in a “chief of staff” capacity to help our EVP advance special projects and revenue growth for IBA. Loos is a native of rural Sangamon County, growing up in New Berlin. He’s spent the last 12 years in finance and business management, most recently as the business manager for a Springfield-based news media corporation. Dan graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in international marketing and a master’s degree in business. He and his wife reside in Springfield, where they have a three-year-old son and are expecting a new baby next month. Outside of his work and family, Dan enjoys hunting and outdoor activities. You can contact him via dan@illinoisbeef.com or by phone at (217) 787-4280.
LOOKING FORWARD IBA Seeks Athletes to Join Team Beef Illinois Team Beef Illinois is a community of athletes who recognize the nutritional benefits of beef and the vital role high-quality protein plays in their training. As each team member strives to reach his or her athletic and nutritional goals, the Illinois Beef Association is here to cheer for them and support their progress The 2026 Team Beef Illinois applications are now open and will close on October 31, 2025. We welcome applications from all athletic skill sets and abilities. From novice to elite, as long as you enjoy the great taste of beef in your training regimen, you can join Team Beef Illinois!
Beef Quality Assurance Trainings Elizabeth Community Center | Tuesday, December 2 Kountry Kitchen (Teutopolis) | Tuesday, December 2 Reel Livestock Center (Congerville) | Thursday, December 4 Greenville Livestock Auction | Thursday, December 4 DeKalb County Farm Bureau | Friday, December 5 Fairview Sale Barn | Wednesday, December 10 Registration online at www.illinoisbeef. com
Illinois Beef Quality Showcase - Now Accepting Nominations Nominations accepted through November 1 Make plans now to enter the Illinois Beef Quality Showcase. We’re looking for steers born in 2025 to be donated for the feeding contest which kicks off in November. We target a starting weight around 700 pounds. Cattle will go on feed at University of Illinois in Urbana around Thanksgiving, with IBQS committee members helping to get cattle delivered from your farm to the feedlot. Last year’s contestants split more than $15,000 in prize money, along with bragging rights for the best beef production in the state! There is no cost to enter the contest, but cattle are a donation to the program with proceeds benefiting the IBA outreach and advocacy programs on behalf of producers in the state. IL Corn has partnered with IBA this year to offer grant money that may be available to subsidize your steer donation; contact the IBA office for more information about the funding opportunity. More information available here
Illinois Beef Foundation’s Cattlemen’s Gala November 21, 2025 Poe’s on the Hill, Springfield, Illinois In honor of the ten years of the Illinois Beef Foundation, the Foundation will host a Cattlemen’s Gala & Fundraiser. The night will be a celebration of the milestone, recognizing the Foundation’s engagement in educational, promotional, and charitable activities dedicated to the improvement of beef production and the social and financial advancement of beef producers. The Foundation has operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, with the primary purpose being to award scholarships to young beef industry enthusiasts and aid them in achieving their educational goals. Tickets available for purchase at www.illinoisbeef.com Northern Illinois Cattlemen Connect Education Series Save the Date December 5 | DeKalb County Farm Bureau Topics to include Market Outlook Discussion, an update on Midwest packer expansion, How to Determine Value on the Rail, and a live demonstration on timely marketing technologies. Registration opens on 10/1/2025