Genetics: Bred Beef Heifers

Minimum Requirements* Certification Required to Apply Beginning Famer Option** $2,000 Maximum Reimbursement
Cattle - 30 Head BQA – Beef Available – see pp. 10 & 11 $500 max per heifer
Head of livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at one time during the last 12 months.
*Applicant must meet at least one minimum program requirement at time of application.
**This program is available for individuals qualifying for the Beginning Farmer Option.

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 or exceeds the Calving Ease Direct (CED) Genomic Enhanced EPD (GE-EPD) from the TAEP Calving Ease bull type requirements. AI bred to a high accuracy calving ease sire is recommended.

TAEP Bull Reimbursement Tool

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, 2024 is the latest breeding date that 90-day pregnancy could be verified by a June 1, 2024 sale date (June 1, 2024 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

Requirements

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

  • Service Sire(s) — must attach pedigree(s) with GE-EPDs and pedigree print date for service sires
Download Bred Beef Heifer Producer Affidavit

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

  • BVD-PI — negative lab test results must be included with form
Download Bred Beef Heifer Veterinarian Affidavit

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.

Email livestock.genetics@tn.gov for additional information.