Genetics: Bred Beef Heifers

Qualifications

1. Stewardship Information (Producer Affidavit required)

• Official USDA permanent identification - heifers must be individually and permanently identified with 840 EID or metal tag, breed registry brand, or tattoo
• Ownership – seller name, address, and phone number
• Sale Information – price and sale date
• Age - maximum of 28 months at time of purchase
• Service Sire (AI or natural) - heifers must be bred to a bull that meets the CED Genomic Enhanced EPD or true NCE EPD with a minimum 0.15 accuracy from the TAEP Maternal/Calving Ease bull type requirements. AI bred to a high accuracy calving ease sire is recommended.

2. Preventative Health (Producer Affidavit required)

Must be vaccinated with two rounds of the following vaccines:
a. Respiratory: IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV. Recommended — fetal protection (FP)
b. Blackleg: 7-way Clostridial
c. Reproductive: Lepto. Recommended — Lepto HB

3. Current & Reproductive Health (Veterinarian Affidavit required)

a. Official USDA permanent identification
b. Veterinarian name, clinic, and phone number
c. Test negative for BVD-PI; lab results required
d. Size – heifer must be a minimum of 800 pounds at pregnancy exam
e. Pregnancy status – list date of pregnancy exam and days pregnant

• Heifer must be a minimum of 90 days bred at date of purchase

° March 1, 2023 is the latest breeding date that 90-day pregnancy could be verified by a June 1, 2023 sale date (June 1, 2023 reimbursement deadline)

• Heifers bred from March 1 until May 15, 2023 and purchased by the June 1, 2023 reimbursement deadline, will be granted an exception for a deferred Veterinarian Affidavit. These heifers must be verified a minimum of 90 days pregnant by a licensed veterinarian by August 15, 2023.

° Buyers should be aware that heifers bred from March 1 until May 15, 2023 will not have a 90-day veterinarian pregnancy verification by the June 1, 2023 reimbursement deadline

• Heifers already nursing first (1st) calf at time of purchase must submit a Veterinarian Affidavit verifying current health status of both heifer & calf
  

Tip: 840 EID tag and BVD-PI tests are available from veterinarian at time of BSE, pregnancy exam — palpation/ultrasound, pre-breeding examination, or when administering the preventative herd health program.

Requirements

1. Producer Affidavit and pedigrees - form(s) must be completed by seller

• Service Sire(s) — must attach pedigree(s) with CED EPDs + accuracies which meet or exceed the CED from the Maternal / Calving Ease bull type table for the appropriate breed

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

• BVD-PI — negative lab test results must be included with form

Affidavit forms are available at www.tn.gov/taep in Producer Programs under Genetics, from Tennessee licensed veterinarians, and included in TAEP Genetics reimbursement packet. Affidavits allow up to four (4) heifers with consistent management and breeding to be listed on each form. List all IDs, birth date range, and range of days pregnant.