MCA/MSU Bulltest

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				MCA/MSU Bull Test A cooperative effort between the Michigan Cattlemen's Association, Michigan State University Department of Animal Science and Plank Farm 108 bulls were consigned by 42 farms to begin the 2008 test. Official starting data was collected on November 7 & 8, 2007. Final data was collected on February 27 & 28, 2008. 66 bulls will be auctioned and sold beginning at 12:30 PM on Saturday, March 29, 2008 2008 Bull Test Sale Catalog Click above to view catalog. This is a large file and may require several minutes to download. 2008 Bull Test Data Spreadsheet This excel spreadsheet will allow you to sort bulls by a specific criteria. February 2008 Off-Test Report Click the link above to view report. Adobe Reader Required. Click here to download the BVD Ear Notch Test
				Location: Plank Farms 325 Mount Hope Rd. Crystal, MI 48818 989-235-6253 email: psf@cmsinter.net

				OBJECTIVES: To promote performance-tested beef cattle and serve as an educational tool to acquaint producers with its overall value. To provide a common environment for evaluating young bulls for rate of gain, soundness and body composition. To aid beef producers in obtaining superior performance tested bulls that have been evaluated for growth and have passed a reproductive physical examination. MANAGEMENT AND POLICY: An advisory committee consisting of beef cattle breed representatives, test station managers, and Michigan State University personnel make recommendations concerning rules and policies for the program. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE: 1. Bulls must originate from a calf crop that has been performance tested under the performance test program of the breeders’ respective breed or state performance testing program. Consignors must send to the station a photocopy of the performance summary originating from the breed association or state performance-testing program. Bulls from consignors who fail to comply by January 1, 2008, become ineligible for sale. Bulls must remain on test for the duration of the 112-day test. 2. A completed nomination form must be received by September 4, 2008 along with the nomination fee for space reservation. The nomination fee for bulls originating in Michigan herds is $150 per bull. The nomination fee for bulls originating in herds outside of Michigan will be $200 per head. The nomination fee will be credited toward the consignor’s total test station cost. 3. Bulls must be weaned and dehorned a minimum of 21 days before delivery to the test station. 4. All bulls must have a negative test for BVDV prior to delivery to the test station. 5. All bulls must have an electronic identification (EID) tag in their left ear prior to delivery to the test station. 6. Bulls must weigh 2.40 lbs/day of age at delivery. 7. Bulls must be sound at entrance to the test based on a screening committee evaluation and veterinary examination. 8. Bulls must be registered or recorded with a national breed association and have a legible ear tattoo or brand. *BULLS NOT MEETING THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE TEST.* TO BE DELIVERED TO THE TEST STATION WITH THE BULL(S): 1. A delivery form on which you summarize the bull’s birth date and weight, performance, pedigree, and health information will be sent to you and must be completed for each bull. Bulls will not be accepted without a completed delivery form and a copy of the registration certificate or registration application. 2. A completed health requirements checklist. 3. Payment of $150 per bull at delivery. PRIORITY PLAN FOR ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS: If more than 108 bulls are nominated, a priority plan will be implemented based on the number of bulls tested in prior years from each consignor. There will be space reserved for new consignors. The $150 nomination fee ($200 Out-of-State Bulls) will be refunded if the bull cannot be accepted because of space or because the bull does not meet entrance requirements. The nomination fee will not be refunded on no-shows at delivery date. SCHEDULE OF DATES Eligible Bull birthdates Sept. 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007 Nomination postmarked Sept. 4, 2007 (on or before) Weaned on or before Sept. 28, 2007 First vaccinations between Aug. 25 & Sept. 15, 2007 Booster vaccinations between Sept. 22 & Oct. 6, 2007 Blood & TB test After Aug. 20, 2007 (see 4 & 5 under Health Requirements for Required Test) Delivery to station Oct. 19 & 20, 2007 Warm-up period Three Weeks Start official test weights Nov. 7 & 8, 2007 28-day weight Dec. 6, 2007 56-day weight Jan. 3, 2008 84-day weight Jan. 31, 2008 End official test weights Feb. 27 & 28, 2008 Sale March 29, 2008 HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES:* The health requirements and procedures exceed regulatory requirements of the State of Michigan. These requirements have been established by the Bull Test Committee and are mandatory for all bulls prior to arrival at the bull test station. Bulls must be dehorned and weaned for at least 21 days. Each bull must have an initial vaccination, and a booster (3 to 4 weeks later) for the diseases listed under item 10, in this section. The last shots must be given no less than 14 days nor more than 30 days before delivery to the station. All bulls must be free of ringworm and warts. All Bulls must test negative for Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) prior to delivery to the test station. All bull are required to have a negative TB test within 60 days of delivery, except for bulls originating in TB accredited free herds. All bulls must have an EID tag in their left ear prior to delivery to the test station Bulls originating from Michigan herds are not required to have a Brucellosis test. Bulls originating from herds outside Michigan must: a. Have a permit number approved in advance by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. b. Meet all current health requirements (including TB and Brucellosis) to enter the state of Michigan (517) 373-1778. Bulls originating in the Upper Peninsula or the Modified Accredited zone (Northern Michigan), must obtain a movement permit prior to delivery to the test facility. Movement permits may be obtained by calling the MDA at (866)870-5136. All bulls, regardless of state of origin must be accompanied by: A certificate of veterinary inspection verifying that the bulls are in good health. A vaccination and treatment record stating that they have been vaccinated and boostered for the following diseases as specified by the vaccine manufacturer: Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)-MLV Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) Parainfluenza, (PI)-MLV Haemophilus somnus Leptospira-five strains Clostridial organisms-7 way Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) 11. Upon arrival at the test station, all bulls will receive the following: a. A physical examination for health and soundness b. Treatment for control of grubs, lice and internal parasites c. Vitamins A and D injectiond. Antibiotic injection e. Vaccinations-Boosters (1) Infectious Bovine Rhinotrachetitis (IBR)-MLV (2) Parainfluenza, (PI)-MLV (3) Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) (4) Pasteurella Haemolytica toxoid (5) Haemophilus somnus (6) Wart vaccine Veterinary service for any bull will be obtained when deemed necessary and the consignor will be responsible for veterinary service fees, drugs, and medication of his bulls. Any bull deemed to be sick and/or unsound during thetest will be removed from the test. The veterinarian and a representative of the Bull Test Committee will make these decisions. Consignors will be responsible for their bulls and incurred costs will be paid while the bull is at the station. RATION: Approved by the Bull Test Committee and available to any consignor on request. REMOVAL OF BULLS FROM TEST: Bulls may not be removed from the official test without permission from the test veterinarian and/or the Bull Test Committee. Violation of this requirement by a consignor will forfeit future testing privileges. Management reserves the right to request a consignor to remove his bull from the station because of health, disposition, lack of identification, or failure to meet entry requirements. All fees must be paid before any bull is released. LIABILITY: Careful management and care will be exercised at all times. Veterinary services will be used when necessary at the expense of the owner. However, neither the station nor anyone associated with it will assume liability for the cattle in case of loss. COSTS AND PAYMENT: The test costs, except feed and individual veterinary expenses, will be equally divided on a per bull basis. Feed costs will be prorated according to pounds of gain for each bull. A nomination fee of $150 per bull ($200 Out-of-State Bulls) must accompany all nomination forms. An additional fee of $150 per bull will be paid when the bulls are delivered to the station. Another $150 payment will be due on January 15, 2008. The remainder will be prorated at the end of the test considering the pounds of gain of each bull. A $10 fee may be deducted for each bull completing the test for improvement of the test station facilities (mounds, etc.). All fees must be paid before bulls are released from the station. Make all checks payable to: Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. An additional sale expense will be charged to the bulls that qualify for the sale. PERFORMANCE RECORDS PROVIDED ON BULLS: Actual birth weights and age of dam are required Adjusted 205-day weaning weight and ratio Weight per day of age (WDA) at delivery Weight, WDA, and average daily gain (ADG) after each 28-day period, plus adjusted 365-day weight at the end of the test Ratios for WDA, ADG, test index and sale index for junior and senior bulls Structural soundness evaluation Breeding soundness examination on all bulls Frame score adjusted to yearling basis Across breed EPD for birth weight Ultrasound backfat, ribeye area and % IMF Bulls born in April may be too young to fit the performance guidelines of their respective breed association TEST PROCEDURES: Bulls will be divided into 4 feeding groups of no more than 27 per pen based on incoming weight. Initial weight on test will be the average of two weights taken the first two days of the official test period. Final test weights and hip heights will be an average of two weights taken the last two days of the official test period. Individual weights will be taken at 28-day intervals and mailed to consignors and other interested parties after 28, 56, 84, and 112-day weigh periods. ULTRASOUND: Ultrasound measurements of ribeye area, rib fat, rump fat and intramuscular fat will be taken in early November for bulls born September through November 2006. It is acceptable for consignors to ultrasound older bulls, prior to delivery to the test facility to maintain contemporary groups. Bulls born after November 30, 2006 will be measured in early February. BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION: All bulls born prior to March 1, 2007 will receive a complete breeding soundness exam (BSE) as defined by the Society for Theriogenology. Bulls not passing the BSE will not be eligible for sale. All bulls born between March 1, 2007 and April 30, 2007 will be subject to meeting all requirements of a BSE, except they will only need 50% morphologically normal sperm to pass (as compared to 70% for bulls born prior to March 1, 2007). It is recommended that bulls born between March 1, 2007 and April 30, 2007 should have a complete breeding soundness exam before being placed with cows to be bred. SALE REQUIREMENTS: 1. All bulls that gain 3.0 lbs/day or more will be eligible for sale provided they pass the breeding soundness exam and pass evaluation of structural soundness, and the evaluation of disposition. 2. Breeders who do not wish to sell bulls must notify the test station manager prior to the end of the test. 3. Notification of bulls that qualify for the sale will be mailed to consignors by March 8, 2008. Consignors will be able to call MSU (517.432.4906) on March 8th between 8:00AM and 5:00PM to obtain the sale status of their bull. All non-sale bulls must be removed from the bull test facility by March 17, 2008 4. Bulls that successfully meet all sale criteria will be freeze branded with the MCA/MSU Bull Test logo. 5. All bulls that are cataloged must sell through the sale on March 29, 2008 6. Sale order will be determined by a weighted index including percentile ranking of: birth weight EPD, weaning weight EPD, yearling weight EPD, milk EPD, average daily gain, weight-per-day age, IMF EPD and % retail product EPD. 7. Sale expenses will be assessed as a percentage of the sale price. Included will be a 1.5% allocation to the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association for administrative costs. Settlement for the sale will be completed within approximately 30 days after the sale. 8. Transfer of registration certificates will be handled by consignors. BULL TEST COMMITTEE Michigan Cattlemen’s Association Representatives Andrew Salinas MCA President Kathleen Hawkins MCA Executive VP Michigan State University Representatives Kenny Wells Phone: 517/432-4906 Fax: 517/432-0147 wellske@msu.edu Dan Buskirk Phone: 517/432-0400 Fax: 517/432-0147 buskirk@msu.edu David Hawkins Phone: 517/355-8386 Fax: 517/355-1699 hawkin12@msu.edu Karen Plaut, Chair, Department of Animal Science Dennis Banks Kevin Gould MCA Bull Test Station Managers Oscar Plank Brian Plank 989/235-6253 989/235-5853 Michigan Beef Breed Representatives Angus Monte Bordner 269/651-8353 W.L. Bryson 269/763-2130 John MacMaster 989/736-6020 Red Angus Mike Karweik 269/793-3089 Simmental Brian Plank 989/235-5853 Craig Pollington 231/825-9855 David Stough 517/543-6670 Commercial David Noggle 734/428-8130 Mark Sears 517/524-8597 BULL TEST PROGRAM SPONSORED BY: Michigan Cattlemen’s Association Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science Plank Farm LOCATION: Plank Farm is located 13 miles west of Ithaca, MI on Washington Road then south ½ mile on Mount Hope Road. Plank Farm 325 Mount Hope Rd. Crystal, MI 48818 989/235-6253 email: psf@cmsinter.net Map to Bull Test Location MCA Home