Genetics: Bred Beef Heifers

Guidelines

Buyer must communicate with the seller prior to purchasing to ensure the bred beef heifer meets all TAEP eligibility requirements. Bred beef heifers that do not meet all eligibility requirements between October 1, 2003 and date of purchase will be denied cost share reimbursement.

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.

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)

• Exception granted to heifers already nursing first (1^st) calf.  Veterinarian Affidavit still required – Vet must verify current health status of both heifer & calf.

° Sire of Calf must meet Service Sire CED GE-EPD requirements

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
  

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.