Department of Agriculture
Ken Givens, Commissioner

1. Purchase or lease of a bull
2. Purchase of semen, artificial insemination (AI) products and/or payment for technician fees for artificial insemination
3. AI Training Certification     AI School Schedules will be posted as available

Bull Ownership or Lease Requirements

1. Ownership of purchased bulls must be maintained for a minimum of two successive breeding seasons not in the same year.
2. Leased bulls can be leased for a minimum of 60 days up to one year
3. Maximum lease amount $800 per lease
   (reimbursement amounts - $400 for Master Producer, $280 for Standard Producer)

Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) or Lifetime Net Merit  (LNM) Requirement

1. Beef: To qualify, a bull must meet 2 of the following 3 EPD criteria. Breed criteria will be included in producer’s approval packet.
   1.  Birth Weight or Calving Ease – Top 60 percent of breed
   2.  Weaning Weight or Yearling Weight – Top 60 percent of breed
   3.  Maternal Milk – Must be within the range set by TDA Genetics Committee
2. Dairy: Semen from AI sires must be from sires in top 20 percent for Lifetime Net Merit (LNM) for their breed or they must meet the following criteria:
   1.  Holstein - Type and Production Index (TPI) of 1673 or higher
   2.  Jersey - Jersey Performance Index (JPI) 156 or higher
   3.  Brown Swiss - Progressive Performance Ranking (PPR) of 130 or higher
   4.  All other dairy breeds - Must be in the top 20 percent for LNM or the top 20 percent for their
        respective breed index. Semen from bulls of dairy breeds in other countries used for
        crossbreeding should be from bulls in the top 20 percent for their country’s main breed index.
   5.  Natural service bulls - Bull’s sire must meet the criteria for LNM or the appropriate breed
        index listed in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, during the year they are used. For natural service bulls,
        there are no restrictions on the dam. Natural service bulls must also pass a breeding
        soundness exam to qualify.

Breeding Soundness Evaluation

1. Bulls purchased/leased must pass a BSE. A BSE certificate from a licensed and accredited veterinarian must be included with reimbursement request.
2. Must be dated within 90 days of purchase or reimbursement.

Electronic Identification (15 digit number)

1. The producer will identify each bull purchased and/or leased with an electronic identification tag and provide the number to TDA.
2. Tags can be purchased at most local farm supply stores or your local veterinarian.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

1. The cost of accredited AI technicians or veterinarian’s fees for AI services is eligible. AI technicians must be affiliated with an accredited AI company.
2. Producers who have been certified to do AI through an accredited program (e.g., Genex, ABS or Select Sires, etc) can do their own AI work. Producer labor is not reimbursable.
3. Cost of semen, synchronization supplies and other AI supplies are eligible for cost share reimbursement.

AI Certification

1. Training must be sponsored by an AI company that is accredited by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB).
2. Minimum of 2 days training required, part of which must be in a classroom environment.
3. Maximum reimbursement for AI certification is $200.

1. Producer time and labor for AI work will not be reimbursed
2. Embryo transfer
3. Semen Tank, see Livestock Equipment - page 6 of printed application
4. Herd Evaluation