June 30, 2009

 

 

 

Dear Beef Producer,

Entries are now open for the 2009 – 2010 Western Illinois University bull testing program, and we wholeheartedly invite you to participate.  The beef industry is moving forward in the area of genetic evaluation and commercial producers are more and more in demand of performance-tested animals.  Evidence of this is the last four sales that posted record averages and totals.  We’re hoping to do even better this year!  We've also worked hard at controlling costs in these difficult times and hope to improve on this as well.  Again this year the index will be calculated as Index=40%ADG ratio+40%F/G ratio+10% Marbling ratio+10% REA ratio.

 

Health Requirements

1.        SUREHEALTH certified including Hemopholis Somnus (see Veterinarian Sheet for SUREHEALTH details).

a.       Bulls will carry the SUREHEALTH limited health warrantee for the first 21 days (i.e.: Merial will cover costs related to respiratory issues during the first 21 days on test; death loss will not be covered for any reason; sickness after the first 21 days will be the responsibility of the breeder).

b.   100% Compliance is necessary to have Merial offer this outstanding service to our breeders and buyers.

c.    For more details or questions contact the appropriate representative: 1-888-637-4251  Option 4 -Rachael     Schumaker- MERIAL 309-826-3919; Matt Reimer, Boehringer Ingelheim 608-575-6299

2.    Weaned by August 22

3.    Tested for anaplasmosis

  1. To address the concern about Johne’s Disease, bulls must meet one of the following requirements:
    1. The dam of the bull must test negative for Johne’s, or  

b.   If the herd is 30 cows or less, then all 30 cows must test negative, or

c.   If the herd is greater than 30 cows, at least 30 must be sampled and all of those tested must be negative.

In the case of ET calves, the recipient cow will be considered the dam of the bull in regard to testing, NOT the donor cow.

  1. All bulls will be screened for persistent BVD upon arrival at the test station.  Any bull testing positive will be removed from the station to protect the health of remaining bulls.
  2. NEW THIS YEAR.  Pedigree proven free or tested free of known genetic defects including, but not limited to, arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH), and osteopetrosis (OS).  Provide test results or pedigree documentation from your breed association.

 

As we have done in the past, we are going to include the ultrasonic scan data into each breed's EPD database where at all possible.  The guidelines that must be met for your data to be included are listed below, as established by your breed association.  Please be assured that all bulls will be scanned at the same time, by the same person, and all images will be read by the same person, regardless of whether or not your data can be included in your breed's database. 

To be included in the database, the following requirements must be met:

1)   For all breeds, there must be two bulls from the same contemporary weaning group. 

2)  Bulls must be born in the following timeframe to meet the age requirement when scanned on January 22:

Angus               1/1 - 3/8            (320 – 440 days)

Limousin           1/1 - 3/28          (300 – 450 days)

Hereford           1/1 - 2/26          (330 – 430 days)

Charolais          1/1 - 3/8            (320 – 430 days)

Simmental         1/1 - 3/28          (300 – 440 days)

Gelbvieh           1/1 - 3/8            (320-410 days)

Maine Anjou     1/1 - 2/26          (330-440 days)

Red Angus        1/1 - 3/8            (320-440 days)

Salers               1/1 - 2/26          (330-450 days)

Shorthorn          1/1 - 3/8            (320-410 days)

If your breed is not listed above, please contact me and I will find out what the restrictions and qualifications are for your breed. 

The enclosed agreement form lists the rules and regulations for this year's test.  Please read it carefully -- we hope you find it agreeable and that the testing program will provide you with the information you need on your bulls.  Also enclosed is an application form for the upcoming test.  The application deadline is August 31, 2009.  If you have any questions or comments about the guidelines or testing program in general, please feel free to contact Bruce or Ken.  Our addresses and phone numbers are at the end of the agreement form.  In addition to the Merial SURHEALTH form, as mentioned above, you’ll need to bring a completed supplemental health form when the bulls are delivered.  This form is also enclosed.  Delivery dates are October 5 and 6, 2009.

We want to make the WIU bull testing program the premier bull testing program in the United States and can do so with your help as partners in this program.  Please be sure to enter your bulls by the August 31 deadline.  Again, feel free to contact either of us anytime.

                                                                                               

Sincerely,

 

 

Bruce A. Engnell           Ken Nimrick

Office 309/298-2613      Office 309/298-1288

Home  309/298-1276     Cell     309/337-4352

Cell     309/255-2055