OHIO BULL TEST PROGRAM
Location:
Eastern Ohio Resource Development Center (EORDC), Belle Valley, Ohio
Objectives:
1. To serve as an educational tool to demonstrate the variation in growth patterns, types, breeds and kinds of cattle.
2. To provide a standard, impartial post weaning test for rate of gain, soundness and condition on high grain.
3. To provide an opportunity for breeders to collect progeny group information on herd sires.
Requirements For Entrance:
1. Bulls must originate from a calf crop which has been performance tested under the performance test program of the breeders' respective breed. State Production Testing Program records are acceptable in breeds that do not have a national performance program. Consignors must submit a photocopy of the herd performance summary originating from the breed association or state production testing program by the 84-day weigh date.
"BULLS FROM CONSIGNORS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY BECOME INELIGIBLE FOR SALE" and must remain on test for the duration of the 112 day test.
2. A completed nomination form must be received by September 28 along with the nomination fee of $50 per bull for space reservation which will be credited toward the consignor's total test station cost.
3. Bulls must be weaned and started on feed a minimum of 28 days prior to delivery to the test station.
4. Bull must weigh 2.00 lbs./day of age at delivery.
5. Bulls must be sound at entrance to the test based on
a screening committee evaluation and veterinary examination.
6. Bulls must be registered or recorded with a National Breed Association to participate in the Ohio Bull Test and Sale.
7. Legible tattoo. Bulls with illegible tattoos or tattoos which do not correspond to consignment forms will be rejected.
To Be Delivered To The Test Station With the Bull(s):
1. Completed consignment forms and vaccination and treatment record forms (will be sent upon receipt of complete nomination forms.) Bulls cannot be accepted with incomplete information.
2. Appropriate health papers.
3. Payment of $250 per bull delivered. (Checks payable to OCA)
Priority Plan for Accepting Nominations:
1. This plan will apply only when nominations exceed space at the test station; otherwise, all bulls will be accepted.
2. The $50 nomination fee will be refunded if the bull cannot be accepted because of space or because the bull does not meet entrance requirements.
3. The $50 nomination fee will not be refunded on "No shows" on delivery date.
4. There are approximately 200 spaces at Belle Valley.
5. Approximately 10 percent of the spaces will be reserved for out-of-state consignors. If the out-of-state allotment is not filled by entry deadline (postmarked by Sept. 28, 1998) then the remaining spaces may be used by in-state consignments.
6. Priority for in-state and out-of-state spaces will be filled by rotating through nominations in ascending order of postmark date and accepting one bull from each consignor on the first round and one bull on successive rounds until approximately 100 percent of the spaces are filled.
Health Requirements and Procedures:
The health requirements and procedures go beyond the regulatory requirements of the State of Ohio. These requirements have been established by the Bull Test Committee and are mandatory for all bulls prior to arrival at the bull test station.
1. Bulls must be weaned for at least 28 days.
2. All vaccinations must be accomplished at least 14 days and no more than 30 days prior to delivery to the station.
3. Bulls must test negative to tuberculosis and brucellosis within 30 days prior to delivery to the station. Bulls from accredited and certified herds do not need to be TB and brucellosis tested but certification and accreditation numbers must be listed along with qualifying test dates.
4. All bulls must be free of ringworm and warts and must be dehorned and healed prior to delivery.
5. All bulls, regardless of state of origin must be accompanied by:
a) a certificate of veterinary inspection stating TB and brucellosis status and verifying the bulls are in good health.
b) a vaccination and treatment record stating that they have been vaccinated for the following agents according to manufacturer's specifications:
(1) IBR-P13
(2) Bovine virus diarrhea (killed vaccine)
(3) Clostridium chauvoei, septicum, sordellii, novyi, perfringens types C and D, bacterin-toxid
(4) Pasteurella haemolytica and multocida
(5) Leptospirosis (5 strain)
(6) BRSV vaccine
(7) Haemophilus Somnus
(8) Wart Vaccine (recommended, but optional)
* The above set of vaccines constitute a Buckeye's Best pre-conditioning program for breeding cattle and include the addition of Lepto and Haemophilus.
6. All bulls must be treated for the control of grubs and lice and be dewormed.
7. The bulls will receive a physical examination and be revaccinated with IBR-13 Killed BVD Vaccine, Leptospirosis (5 strain), pasteurella haemolytica and multocida on arrival.
8. 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 their bulls.
9. Any bull deemed to be sick and/or unsound during the test will be removed from the test. The veterinarian and a representative of the Bull Test Committee will make these decisions.
Approved by the Bull Test Committee. Available on request. High Grain/Self Fed Ration/4# ADG.
Return:
Bulls will be evaluated after the first 28 day period on test, and bulls failing to perform at an accepted rate will be dismissed. Bulls may not be removed from the official test without permission from 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. A charge of $3/day for any bull that fails to complete the test will be assessed. If the bull is not removed within seven days of notification, the fee will increase to $5/day. 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 cast of loss. Ohio Cattlemen's Association has no obligation to procure casualty insurance on tested bulls; however, consignors are encouraged to consider casualty insurance on their bulls at delivery to the station.
Costs:
All costs except feed and individual veterinary expenses will be equally divided on per bull basis. A nomination fee of $50 per bull must accompany all nomination forms. The nomination fee will be applied toward feed and maintenance. Each consignor must be a member of OCA. An additional fee of $250 per bull will be paid when the bulls are delivered to the station. The remainder of the feed costs will be prorated at the end of the test according to the pounds of gain of each bull. All fees must be paid before bulls are released from the station. Make all checks payable to Ohio Cattlemen's Association.
Performance Records Provided on Sale Bulls:
1. Adjusted 205-day weight and ratio.
2. Weight and average daily gain (ADG) after each 28-day period.
3. Adjusted 365-day weight and ratio.
4. Actual scrotal circumference at or near end of test.
5. Frame score.
6. Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's).
7. Fat measured by ultrasound.
8. Ribeye area measured by ultrasound at 12th rib.
9. Structural soundness evaluation.
Note: Bulls will be ratioed according to BIF Guidelines for ADG and adjusted 365-day weight.
Schedule of Events:
Test Procedures:
1. Initial weight on test will be the average of two weights taken the first days of the official test period. Final test weights will be an average of two weights taken the last days of the official test period.
2. Single weights will be taken at 28, 56 and 84 days and mailed to consignors and other interested parties.
3. All bulls will be limit fed beforeand after test has been completed. All bulls will be hand fed prior to test and immediately following test.
Sale Requirements:
1. All bulls must meet minimum certification requirements to qualify for the sale. Bulls are not required to sell in the sale.
Certification Requirements:
| Certified | Certified Superior | |
| 112 Day Test Ratio | 90 | 110 |
| Frame Score | 4 | 5 |
| Minimum Scrotal Circumference | 30.0 cm | 34.0 cm |
| Confirmation | Adequate | Adequate |
| Structural Soundness | Sound | Sound |
2. All Bulls meeting certification requirements will be examined for breeding soundness. Only bulls classed as "Satisfactory Potential Breeders" will be eligible for the sale.
3. All breeders who wish to sell their bull(s) must return the sale consignment form to OCA before the deadline date.
4. OCA will handle registration transfers.
5. All non-sale bulls must be moved from the bull test facility before 4 p.m. preview day April 12. Bulls not removed on time will be charged $25/head/day.
6. No bulls are to be haltered and/or tied during the days of "Bull Preview" or "Sale."
7. All sale bulls will be clipped by a fitting service hired by OCA.
8. Minimum floor bid of $1,000 for all sale bulls.