MACOMB, Ill — A course at Western Illinois University is giving its students an up-close-and-personal look at the beef production industry.
According to a press release from WIU, 11 students participated in the course's most recent session, which required them to manage the campus cow herd and prepare the WIU bull sale. As part of this work, students performed health checks on bulls, clipped and torched them ahead of the sale and even helped register buyers for the sale.
In addition to the on-campus work, those students were also able to go on a 4-day tour of beef facilities across Iowa and the Dakotas. Stops included Schaff Angus Valley, Keller Broken Heart Ranch, Chad Berger Bucking Bulls and more. WIU officials said each stop helped provide employment and networking opportunities for the students enrolled in the course.
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