Genetics – Bred Does & Ewes

2025-2026 TAEP Application A

50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $2,000

The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum.

Applicant Responsibility

It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.

Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP

Minimum Requirements

Goats/Sheep – 50 head

Applicant must meet minimum requirement of head of livestock for program.
Head of Livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at any one time during the last 12 months.
Goats/Sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement.
Verification of minimum requirements may be requested prior to approval.

Eligible Items & Requirements – Print Version

Eligible Items

Buyer must communicate with the seller prior to purchasing to ensure the bred doe/ewe meets all TAEP eligibility requirements. Bred does/ewes that do not meet all eligibility requirements between October 1, 2025 and date of purchase will be denied cost share reimbursement.

1. Bred does — $200 per doe
2. Bred ewes — $200 per ewe

Qualifications
1. Stewardship Information — Producer Affidavit required
    a. Official USDA permanent identification — must be individually and permanently identified with Scrapie tag, microchip, or breed registry identification
    b. Ownership — seller name, address, and phone number
    c. Sale information — price and sale date
    d. Age — maximum of 24 months at time of purchase
    e. Service Sire (AI or natural) — buck or ram
AI service sire — attach pedigree or semen catalog data
Natural service sire — attach pedigree
Buck (pedigree required)
Ram (RR & NN genotype results and pedigree required)

2. Preventative Health — Producer Affidavit required
    a. Dewormed — required
Ewes — RR & NN Genomic test is suggested
Flock health program with local veterinarian is suggested

3. Current and Reproductive Health — Veterinarian Affidavit required
    a. Official USDA permanent identification — must be individually and permanently identified with Scrapie tag, microchip, or breed registry identification
    b. Veterinarian name, clinic, and phone number
    c. Pregnancy status — minimum of 45 days bred at date of purchase

Requirements – Bred Does & Ewes
1. Producer Affidavit and pedigrees — form(s) must be completed by seller
    a. Service Sire(s) — must attach pedigree(s) or semen catalog data

2. Veterinarian Affidavit — form(s) must be completed by veterinarian

•    Affidavit forms are available by emailing livestock.genetics@tn.gov. Forms are also available from Tennessee licensed veterinarians and included in TAEP Genetics – Goats & Sheep reimbursement packet.
•    Affidavits allow up to ten (10) bred does/ewes with consistent management and breeding to be listed on each form. List all IDs, birth date range, and range of days pregnant.

Reimbursement Request Deadline – June 1, 2026

Allowable purchase dates for Genetics are from October 1, 2025 – June 1, 2026.
All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.