Virginia Hereford Association Bull Development Program "Virginia's Finest" |
Deer Track Farm County of Spotsylvania, Virginia |
Why a VHA Bull Development Program? The primary responsibility for maintaining and improving the traits associated with efficient production lies in the hands of the seedstock producers. Genetic change in the commercial beef cattle population is controlled by the genetic merit of bulls produced by the seedstock producer and used by the commercial cattleman. The Virginia Hereford Association is taking this responsibility seriously. The VHA "Bull Development Program" uses VDACS' "Virginia's Finest" criteria as its basis and adds higher standards increasing the selection pressure on the bulls to be certified. Last year 30% of the bulls from this program met the requirements. This year 41% of the bulls met the established criteria and are offered to you at this sale certified as VHA's "Virginia's Finest." These percentages are well below what you see in most Test Programs and demonstrate the rigid standards that have been set. By comparison, these bulls had year over year improvements in Adjusted Yearling Weights and Ultrasound results for both REA and IMF% while dropping the average actual birth weight from 82 to 81 pounds. At the 2002 Beef Expo, purebred and commercial buyers alike responded to the BDP graduates as the bulls sold between $1,550 and $3,000 averaging $2,295. The EPD comparison is as follows: BW WW YW MM MG SC 2002 1.9 37 61 15 34 0.6 2003 2.8 41 64 20 40 0.7 Breed Avg 3.8 34 58 12 30 0.5 As you can see, continued improvement is being made in the overall quality of the bulls being developed in this program. These Senior Bulls who graduated are hardened to pasture conditions and will be ready to work in spring herds. What are the Objectives of the VHA Bull Development Program? The Virginia Hereford Association is providing it's members an environment and a tool to develop bulls to their fullest genetic potential and offer for sale the highest quality Hereford bulls available in Virginia. This will also enable consignors to the VHA Bull Development Program a chance to evaluate their own programs against fellow breeders in Virginia and against the market requirements for bulls. Having bulls developed and evaluated while maintaining contemporary groups also affords the opportunity to measure where any program is and what adjustments may be needed to that program. In any business there is a demand for continuous improvement of product. Performance breeding and the raising of standards while developing consistency are a must for gaining a market share for Hereford bulls. The VHA Bull Development Program Committee will continually evaluate and adjust the criteria and standards for this program. |
What is the VHA Bull Development Program? Participation is open to members of the Virginia Hereford Association who are "Total Performance Reporting" (TPR) breeders. During this program, the bulls are fed for a minimum of 112 days with a target ADG of 3.5 pounds. The feed ration has a Net Energy for Gain (NEG) of .56 and the protein will be 12%. The minimum adjusted weaning weight is 550 pounds with a minimum weaning weight ratio of 95. The bulls delivered to the Bull Development Program must weigh a minimum of 2.5 pounds per day of age. An allowance of 2-6% is made for shrinkage. The minimum adjusted yearling weight is 1050 with a minimum yearling weight ratio of 95 within the group. An Ultrasound examination will be made for backfat, ribeye size and intramuscular fat. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Livestock Marketing personnel, will officially evaluate and score all bulls for muscling, structural soundness, and overall quality. The minimum gain ratio will be 95. The bulls must have a frame score of between 5.0 and 7.9. All bulls must pass a thorough Reproductive Soundness Exam to qualify, including scrotal measurement and palpation. The Development Facility manager will observe and record the disposition of each bull during the evaluation period. Any bulls deemed to be of bad disposition would be disqualified. The overall VDACS' "Virginia's Finest" index is calculated with 50% credit given to yearling weight ratio and 50% credit given to the gain ratio. The overall VHA's "Virginia's Finest" index is calculated with 50% credit given to the EPD Multi-Trait index score, 40% credit for the Rate of Gain index score (ADG and WDA), and 10% credit given to the Ultrasound index score. |
VHA BULL BREEDING GUARANTEE All bulls sold are guaranteed by the seller to be breeders, if properly cared for by the purchaser. Any bull that settles at least one-third of the healthy cows he breeds is considered to be a breeder. All claims for refund or adjustment must be made in writing either within six months of the sale date or no later than three months after the bull reaches 18 months of age whichever occurs later. In the event a bull is claimed to be a non-breeder, the bull may be returned to the farm of the seller if in good condition and complying with the health requirements of the seller's state. The seller shall be entitled to six months trial following the return of the bull in which to prove the bull is a breeder. If at the end of six months the seller is unable to prove the bull is a breeder, the seller shall, at the option of the buyer, replace the bull with a bull of equal value or refund the purchase price. The refund of the full purchase price shall in any case be full satisfaction and settlement. Any expense incurred for transporting a bull claimed to be a non-breeder shall be the responsibility of the purchaser, except that the seller shall be responsible for transportation costs in excess of the distance between the purchaser's farm and the location where the sale took place. If the seller proves the bull to be a breeder, it shall be the obligation of the purchaser to take delivery of the bull and pay all expenses incurred for transportation. |
