MCA/MSU Bull
Test
March 21, 2009 · 12:30 p.m.
2009
Bull Test Sale Catalog
(Opens with Adobe Reader)
EPD
Supplemental Pages
(Opens with Adobe Reader)
2009
Bull Test Data Spreadsheet
(easily sort the data as you
choose)
2009
Bull Test Procedures
(procedures also listed below)
Click here to download the BVD Ear Notch
Test
The MCA/MSU Bull Test is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Cattlemen's Association, Michigan State University Department of Animal Science and Plank Farm.
Location:
Plank Farms
325 Mount Hope Rd.
Crystal, MI 48818
989-235-6253
email: psf@cmsinter.net
OBJECTIVES:
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To promote performance-tested beef cattle and serve as an educational tool to acquaint producers with its overall value.
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To provide a common environment for evaluating young bulls for rate of gain, soundness and body composition.
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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, 2009, 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 2, 2009 along with the nomination fee for space reservation. The nomination fee for bulls originating in Michigan herds is $165 per bull. The nomination fee for bulls originating in herds outside of Michigan will be $200 per bull. 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 a radio frequency identicication (RFID) 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 $165 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 $165 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, 2007 to April 30, 2008
Nomination postmarked
Sept. 2, 2008 (on or before)
Weaned on or before
Sept. 26, 2008
First vaccinations between
Aug. 20 & Sept. 12, 2008
Booster vaccinations between
Sept. 17 & Oct. 3, 2008
Negative TB
test
After Aug. 18, 2008
Negative BVDV test
Before Delivery
*(see 4 & 5 under Health
Requirements and Procedures)
Delivery to station
Oct. 17 & 18, 2008
Warm-up period
Three Weeks
Start official test weights
Nov. 5 & 6, 2008
28-day
weight
Dec. 4, 2008
56-day
weight
Jan. 2, 2009
84-day weight
Jan. 29, 2009
End official test weights
Feb. 25 & 26, 2009
Sale
March 21, 2009
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.
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Bulls must be dehorned and weaned for at least 21 days.
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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.
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All bulls must be free of ringworm and warts.
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All Bulls must test negative for Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) prior to delivery to the test station.
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All bull are required to have a negative TB test within 60 days of delivery, except for bulls originating in TB accredited free herds.
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All bulls must have an RFID tag in their left ear prior to delivery to the test station
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Bulls originating from Michigan herds are not required to have a Brucellosis test.
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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.
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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.
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All bulls, regardless of state of origin must be accompanied by:
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A certificate of veterinary inspection verifying that the bulls are in good health.
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A vaccination and treatment record stating that they have been vaccinated and boostered for the following diseases as specified by the vaccine manufacturer:
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Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)-MLV
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Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD)
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Parainfluenza, (PI)-MLV
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Haemophilus somnus
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Leptospira-five strains
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Clostridial organisms-7 way
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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 injection
d. 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
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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.
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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 $165 per bull ($200 Out-of-State Bulls) must accompany all nomination forms. An additional fee of $165 per bull will be paid when the bulls are delivered to the station. Another $165 payment will be due on January 15, 2009. 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.
An additional sale expense will be charged to the bulls that qualify for the sale.
PERFORMANCE RECORDS PROVIDED ON BULLS:
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Actual birth weights and age of dam are required
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Adjusted 205-day weaning weight and ratio
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Weight per day of age (WDA) at delivery
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Weight, WDA, and average daily gain (ADG) after each 28-day period, plus adjusted 365-day weight at the end of the test
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Ratios for WDA, ADG, test index and sale index for junior and senior bulls
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Structural soundness evaluation
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Breeding soundness examination on all bulls
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Frame score adjusted to yearling basis
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Across breed EPD for birth weight
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Ultrasound backfat, ribeye area and % IMF
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Bulls born in April may be too young to fit the performance guidelines of their respective breed association
TEST PROCEDURES:
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Bulls will be divided into 4 feeding groups of no more than 27 per pen based on incoming weight.
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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.
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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 2007. 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, 2007 will be measured in early February.
BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMINATION:
All bulls born prior to March 1, 2008 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, 2008 and April 30, 2008 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, 2008). It is recommended that bulls born between March 1, 2008 and April 30, 2008 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 3, 2009. Consignors will be able to call MSU (517.432.4906) on March 3rd 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 9, 2009
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 21, 2009
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
Garry Wiley
MCA President
Kathleen Hawkins
MCA Executive VP
(517) 347-8117
Michigan State University Representatives
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
Kevin Gould, Beef Area of Expertise Educator, W. Central MI
Karen Plaut, Chair, Department of Animal Science
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
517/563-2460
BULL TEST PROGRAM SPONSORED BY:
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Michigan Cattlemen’s Association
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Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science
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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