Dear Highland Breeder,
Performance testing is defined as the systematic collection of comparative production information for use in decision making to improve efficiency and profitability of beef production. One aspect of performance testing is a central bull test, which assembles bulls from several herds to evaluate differences of certain performance traits under uniform management conditions. This year the fifth Highland Central Bull Test will be held at Drover Hill Farm in Earlville NY. This bull test will allow large and small breeders an opportunity to have their bulls evaluated against other bulls from around the country under the same environmental conditions. It also will provide an excellent opportunity to market high quality bulls.
The sale will be held at Glen Haven Farm in Pine Bush, New York. Once again there will be lots of Highland activities including a Select Heifer Sale. This sale has proven to be the best opportunity to purchase outstanding breeding age Highland females. So mark your calendars and plan to be in beautiful Pine Bush on the weekend of May 19-21, 2006.
Please carefully read the requirements for this years test. Bulls may be born between January 1-April 30, 2005. In order to ensure the quality of all the bulls in the sale there are strict eligibility requirements.
I would encourage you to look carefully over your eligible bull calves and consider sending your highest quality calves to the test.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (315) 691-2327 or through e-mail at droverhill@aol.com.
Sincerely,
William Lipsey
Rules and Regulations
- Consignors must be members in good standing of the American Highland Cattle Association or the Canadian Highland Cattle Society.
- Bulls must have been born between January 1, 2005 and April 30, 2005. Bulls must weigh a minimum of 400 pounds upon delivery.
- Bulls must be halter broken and have a good disposition
- Bulls must have a legible tattoo and be accompanied by either a completed registration application or registration papers.
- Bulls must be weaned at least 30 days prior to delivery.
All bulls must meet the following requirements:
- Receive an initial vaccination for IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Hemphilus Somnus and 7 way Clostridial Toxoid plus a booster 3-4 weeks later. These vaccinations need to be completed at least 3 weeks prior to delivery or pickup.
- Treated with Ivomec
- Vaccinated against rabies
- Have a certificate of veterinary inspection. All out of state bulls must meet the requirements for entry into New York
- No bull will be accepted upon delivery if it appears unhealthy or has a temperature of 103.5 or higher.
- Each consignor will be required to sign a release form after the completion of the first 84 days on test specifying the intent to place the bull(s) in the sale if eligible. Consignors will not be allowed to remove bulls from the test station before the end of the test (April 28)
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The first 40 bulls nominated that qualify will be accepted for the test.
Testing Schedule
- October 1, 2005 nominations due.
- November 11-13 bulls delivered to Drover Hill Farm, Earlville, NY. Bulls may be picked up at the NEHCA Show, Springfield MA or the AHCA International Show Cambridge OH. There will be an additional $75 charge for trucking and board for bulls picked up at Springfield and $50 fee for those picked up in Cambridge.
- December 9-10 test begins
- April 28-29, 2006 test ends
- May 20, 2006 sale date.
Management of bulls
- Bulls will be full-fed a corn silage based ration.
- The consignor will pay veterinary fees if a veterinarian is called upon to treat a consignors bull and all additional drug tests while the bull is at the test.
- Every effort will be made to provide good care and management; however; the sponsor of this test (Drover Hill Farm) assumes no liability for damage, loss or infertility of the bull. Insurance, if desired, is the responsibility of the consignor.
Cost
- Cost of the test will be $600. This includes a $50 nomination fee refundable only if the bull is not accepted upon delivery. The balance of $550 is due upon delivery.
- Sales costs of the bulls put in the sale will be deducted from the sale price.
Performance data provided on the bulls
- bulls will be weighed every 28 days throughout the test.
- Upon completion of the test the following data will be provided on the bulls
-birth weight (if available) and 205 day weaning weight
- current weight
- Weight per day of age(WPDA) and test average daily gain (ADG)
- ratios
- ultrasound data; back fat, ribeye area, intramuscular fat
- reproductive soundness
- yearling weight
-Scrotal circumfrence
- Frame score
Certification requirements
Bulls eligible for registration, certification and sale must meet the following requirements:
- 95 or higher ratio on final index formula: ADG index*.5 + Yearling weight index*.5
- pass semen test
- have a 29 cm. or greater scrotal circumference
- 750 lb. Minimum yearling weight
NOMINATION FORM
Owners name____________________________________________
Farm Name_____________________________________________
Address________________________________________________
Phone______________________________________________
Number of bulls you want to test_____________________
I would like to have my bull(s) picked up at the NEHCA Show in Springfield MA______ or at the AHCA International Show_______
Please refer to attached health requirements, all requirements must be fulfilled by delivery to test
Upon acceptance of any of my animals to the Highland Bull Test, I, as owner, do hereby accept full and complete responsibility and liability for my animals during all phases of the program such as, pre-test, official test, post-test, sale, etc. I have read and agree to abide by the rules, regulations, terms and conditions of the program now in existence or hereafter adopted by the bull test committee. I understand that information gathered from the test will be available to the public.
_________________________ ________________________
Owner’s Signature Date
Nomination deposit - $50/bull (non-refundable unless bull fails to meet eligibility standards upon delivery)
Make checks payable to Drover Hill Farm and mail to – Drover Hill Farm, 1014 Earlville Rd., Earlville, NY, 13332
Nomination deadline – October 1, 2005