Attached are rules and entry form for the 2008 Summer Performance Test. The 61st IBEP Performance Test will end March 24, with 8,548 bulls and 969 Get-of-Sire Groups having been performance tested by IBEP in 31 years. We encourage and look forward to your entries for the 62nd IBEP Performance Test.

• Birth Date - Bulls born from May 1 through October 31, 2007 are eligible.
   
• Birth Weight - Birth weight is required for entry. Bull buyers are concerned about calving difficulty. Buyers of IBEP-Tested bulls say they place a "great deal" of importance on birth weights and calving ease, and bulls with low birth weight EPDs command premium prices.
   
• 205-day Data & EPDs - Official adjusted 205-day data and EPDs for Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, and Maternal Milk are required for IBEP auctions.
   
• Percentage/Composite Breed Bulls - Will be accepted provided that: a) all other eligibility requirements are met, b) can be registered with a breed association, c) EPDs can be obtained, and d) the breed composition of the bulls(s) entered is specified. (Note Section "Bulls", Item 3 for details regarding Composite Breed Bulls.)
   
• Sire Group - For a more accurate sire evaluation, enter 3 bulls from your best sire (or 3 bulls from each of 2 sires) rather than entering one calf from each of several sires. Each owner may have five (5) gets-of-sire of 3 bulls each evaluated. Additional units will be accepted if the test station is not full.
   
• Pen Space Requests - Must be in the IBEP office by April 7, 2008.
   
• Soundness and Disposition - Pay close attention to structure and disposition of potential entries. Bulls that are post-legged, sickle-hocked, or otherwise unsound or are nervous/wild may be screened out at delivery or at the end of the test.
   
• Sale Index - Sale order is based on superiority for several traits -- not just ADG and WPDA; determined by the sum of each bull's within-breed ranking for ADG Ratio, WPDA Ratio, Adj. Scrotal Circumference, % Retail Product, % Intra-Muscular Fat, Birth Weight EPD, Weaning Weight EPD, and Maternal Milk EPD. In case of identical trait rankings among two or more bulls, Performance Index will determine sale order. Thus, a bull that ranks in the top 25% of his breed for all eight traits would have 32 asterisks and would start the sale.
   
• Scope - Breeders from six states consistently enter bulls for testing by IBEP. Producers in 21 states have purchased IBEP-Tested bulls. In 36 IBEP auctions at Springville, 2,876 bulls averaged $1,787. Of the 38 bulls offered in the October sale, following the 2007 Summer Test, 37 sold for an average of $1,926 with a top of $3,600.
   
• Breed and Cattlemen's Association Membership - IBEP encourages membership and support of your respective breed association as well as your local, state, and national cattlemen's associations.

We appreciate the support of current and past cooperators and look forward to continuing this in the future. In addition, we invite and encourage new cooperators for future tests.

RULES FOR 2008 SUMMER PERFORMANCE TEST OF BULLS

PURPOSES:

(1) To promote performance testing and carcass evaluation of beef cattle and serve as an educational tool to acquaint producers with their value; (2) to complement on-farm performance testing; (3) to provide a common environment for evaluating the performance of young bulls; (4) to assist breeders in identifying sires whose progeny excel in growth rate, feed conversion and carcass value; and (5) to aid beef producers in obtaining superior, performance tested bulls which have been evaluated for growth, breeding and structural soundness, and carcass merit.

PROGRAM SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION:

1. The Indiana Beef Evaluation Program (IBEP) sponsors the performance testing program in cooperation with participating beef producers.
2. The rules and regulations are the responsibility of the Board of Directors that consists of representatives from: (a) Indiana beef breed associations; (b) the Indiana Beef Cattle Association; (c) Purdue University extension educators; and (d) two directors at-large. Advising the Board in a non-voting capacity regarding rules and regulations are: (a) Purdue University animal scientists, veterinarians and extension educators; (b) Test Station Manager; and (c) Executive Vice-President of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Any beef producer is welcome to enter bulls in IBEP performance tests.
2. Entrants are required to have their herds enrolled, and be currently participating in their breed's performance testing program. IN ORDER FOR BULLS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR IBEP AUCTIONS, THEY MUST BE REGISTERED, HAVE EPDs FOR BIRTH WT., WEAN WT., AND MATERNAL MILK, AND ENTRANTS MUST BE PARTICIPATING IN AN OFFICIAL HERD PERFORMANCE TESTING PROGRAM, WITH WEANING DATA REPORTED TO AND PROCESSED BY THEIR BREED ASSOCIATION.

BULLS:

1. Must have been born May 1 through October 31, 2007.
2. Actual birth weights are required for entry in IBEP Performance Tests.
3. Purebred, percentage and composite breed bulls eligible for registry in a national or international breed association are eligible for testing. A copy of the registration paper, or application for recording, must be submitted upon delivery of bull at Station. Percentage/Composite breed bulls will be accepted provided that: a) all other eligibility requirements are met, b) they originate from a herd that is participating with an organization that provides weaning and yearling performance data, and Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's), and c) the breed composition of the bull(s) entered is specified.
4. Bulls must be polled, or dehorned prior to delivery; horn cavities should be healed and free of infection at time of delivery or bulls may be rejected.
5. Must have a minimum weight of 450 pounds, and a minimum weight per day of age (including birth weight) of at least 2.25 lbs. on delivery at the Station.
6. Bulls will be inspected at time of delivery and will not be accepted if sick, wild, or have a physical defect that may impair future reproductive performance such as: cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia, stifled, foundered, "double muscled", etc. Scrotal palpation of prospective entries is recommended at time vaccinations are given.
7. Requests for pen space must be received at the IBEP office by 5:00 p.m., April 7.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bulls originating from Indiana do not need to be tested for brucellosis and do not need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate); however, a Premise ID is required. Bulls from other brucellosis free states do not need to be tested for brucellosis, but bulls from states not certified brucellosis free must be tested. Out-of-state bulls must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate); however, a Premise ID is optional. All out-of-state bulls must obtain an Entry Permit Number. The Entry Permit Number may be obtained by phoning 317/227-0316, day or night.
2. Animals from states not accredited TB-free must have a negative tuberculosis test. Entries from counties outside of the modified accredited advanced zone of Michigan will be accepted if they originate from a herd with a negative whole-herd test within the past 12 months, followed at least 60 days later by a negative individual test completed within 60 days prior to entering Indiana. Entries from the modified accredited advanced zone require a negative individual test within 60 days prior to entering Indiana. Entries originating from an accredited herd in either zone do not require an individual test. For a map showing the zone boundaries, please contact the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at (317) 227-0315.
3. Bulls must originate from herds that have no clinical signs of Johne's Disease (paratuberculosis). In addition, the dam of each bull entered must have a negative Johne's Disease test (ELISA or Fecal Culture) anytime between birth of the bull and delivery of the bull to the test station. For ET or foster calves, the female that raised the calf, must have a negative Johne's Disease test (ELISA or Fecal Culture) anytime between birth of the bull and delivery of the bull to the test station. Bulls will also be accepted that originate from herds that have had a complete negative herd Johne's Disease test (ELISA or Fecal Culture) within the last 12 months. Samples for Johne's Disease testing must be collected by a veterinarian and submitted to a laboratory that is accredited/certified by the state of origin Board of Animal Health. Documentation of Johne's Disease tests (ELISA or Fecal culture) must be presented with the bull(s) at time of delivery to the test station.
4. Bulls will be tested at the time of delivery for persistent Bovine Virus Diarrhea infection (PIBVD). Owners will be notified should a bull test positive to this disease and will be required to immediately remove the bull from the facility. Unused fees for the bull will be refunded to the owner.
5. Animals must be free of active ringworm lesions and warts. Animals with signs of ringworm lesions or warts at delivery will be rejected.
6. Animals must have been vaccinated according to manufacturers' recommendations with the following vaccines and bacterins: Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR); Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD); Parainfluenza3 (PI3); Haemophilus Somnus; Leptospira-five strains; Clostridial organisms-7 way; Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV); and Pasteurella. At least one dose of modified live virus vaccine for IBR, BVD, PI3 and BRSV is strongly recommended.
7. Initial vaccinations must have been done not earlier than 60 days (February 29, 2008) nor later than 3 weeks (April 8, 2008) prior to delivery at Station. Veterinarian or owner must indicate on the Immunization Form that all required vaccinations were given, product names of vaccines/bacterins, expiration dates of products used, and the date(s) that animals were vaccinated.
8. Weaning and dehorning by April 1 are necessary; accustom bulls to bunk feeding before delivery. Weaning/vaccination instructions will be mailed when requests for pen space are acknowledged.
9. Bulls will be treated for internal and external parasites when they begin the performance test.

GENERAL:

1. If the performance test is canceled for any reason prior to start of the official performance test, each consignor's fees will be refunded in full.
2. Animals will be subject to mouthing at any time. When discrepancy appears to exist between stated age and apparent age, according to the development and configuration of the teeth, the Board reserves the right to take appropriate action. Also, animals may be blood typed at any time. If a discrepancy in parentage or breeding appears to exist, the Board reserves the right to take appropriate action.

IDENTIFICATION:

1. Animals must have a legible, individualized, numeric tattoo, freeze brand or hot brand. Bulls without legible, numeric, permanent identification prior to delivery will be rejected. Owners are strongly encouraged to have a tag in the animal's left ear that is identical to the animal's tattoo number.
2. Animals will be numbered with plastic and RFID eartags when delivered and will be so identified for the performance test.

FACILITIES:

1. Animals will be performance tested at the IBEP Test Station, Feldun-Purdue Ag. Center, 3 miles NW of Bedford, IN.
2. Bulls will be fed and housed in groups of approximately 25 head per lot. Each group will have access to a dirt exercise area of about one-half acre.
3. Animals will be grouped as much as practical by breed and age or weight.

RATION:

1. A total mixed ration (TMR) will be fed with composition approximately as shown below.
2. Silage is corn, wheat, or a blend of the two.
3. Concentrate is a blend of corn grain, corn processing co-products, and a mineral vitamin supplement.
4. Feed consumption will be recorded for each lot.
5. Salt and mineral block provided free-choice.

HEALTH & VETERINARY SERVICE:

1. Veterinary service will be obtained when necessary and those charges will be added to testing fees.
2. A transportation charge will be added for bulls taken to the Purdue Large Animal Clinic for treatment. Every attempt will be made to notify the bull's owner before a bull is transported from the test station.
3. Animals that are sick and/or unsound may be removed from the test; the veterinarian and Station Manager will make this decision. If an animal is removed from the test, the owner will be notified within 48 hours. Animals may not leave the Station without the veterinarian's illness release, death or consent of the Board.

TESTING EXPENSES:

1. All costs except for feed and veterinary/drug expenses will be equally divided on a per-head basis. Feed costs will be pro-rated according to body weight and pounds of gain of each animal within each pen. There will be a uniform health maintenance charge of $20 per head to cover periodic inspections and treatments by a D.V.M., wart vaccine, and miscellaneous health related items. In addition, all drug costs for treated animals will be charged to owners of those animals.
2. Application for reservation of pen space must be received by April 7, 2008 with a non-refundable* entry fee of $200 per head (*See contract for specific conditions.).
3. Delivery fee of $200 per head is due upon delivery (April 29, 2008) of each animal at the Station.
4. An additional $200 per head feed payment is due July 22, 2008. If the total testing fee has not been paid by the end of the performance test, the bull will not be catalogued for sale nor released to the owner, but will be sent to market.
5. Any remaining total testing cost at the end of the test will be billed to the owner(s). Refunds will be made for individual animals whose test expenses were less than total fees received.
6. Consignor will be charged for feed and overhead for animals left at the Station after the specified date for removal.

LIABILITY:

1. Professional veterinary service will be obtained when necessary, but neither the Board of Directors or Officers of the Indiana Beef Evaluation Program nor its designated veterinarians, nor member beef breed associations, nor the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, nor Purdue University can be held liable in case of loss by fire, theft, injury, sickness or death of animals.
2. Insurance is the owner's responsibility for his/her animals while at the Station.

RETURN:

1. The Board reserves the right to request the owner to remove an animal within 7 days of notification for any of these reasons: not meeting entry requirements, lack of identification, health, disposition, invalid information accompanying the animal, chronic illness, or injury.
2. If an animal fails to complete the test because of death, injury, or illness, the testing cost will be pro-rated based on number of days at the Station. Owners will be billed for all expenses for such animals, or will receive a refund if one is due.

PROGRESS REPORTS AND TEST DATA:

1. The owner's name and eartag number(s) of his/her bull(s) will be available at the Test Station.
2. Performance of bulls will be made available to cooperators, breed associations, extension personnel and the public through reports after each testing period.
3. A final test summary will be distributed at the end of the official performance test.
4. All summaries and reports will be made available on the IBEP web site: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/ibep/
5. Feed consumption data will be recorded only on a pen-basis.
6. Performance data at end of test will be: (a) weight at start of test; (b) actual weight and adj. frame score at end of test; (c) average daily gain on test and ratio; (d) weight per day of age at end of test and ratio; (e) adj. scrotal circumference; (f) adj. ribeye area, fat depth at 12th rib, percent intramuscular fat and percent retail product. All carcass merit related items listed in section (F) are obtained using ultrasound by a certified Centralized Ultrasound Processing (CUP) technician.
7. Carcass merit will be determined as: (% Retail Product Ratio + % Intramuscular Fat Ratio ) ÷ 2.
8. Bulls will be indexed within each breed as follows:
    
   
    
   Note: If there are less than six bulls tested within a breed, the overall ADG and WPDA of all bulls on-test will be used to determine ADG and WPDA ratios and Performance Index.

AWARDS:

1. Plaques will be presented to the cooperators whose individual bull, or Get-of-Sire, had the highest overall within-breed Performance Index.
2. A plaque will be presented to the owner(s) of the sale-eligible bull with the highest Sale Index.

BREEDING SOUNDNESS OF BULLS:

1. Bulls which are sale eligible will be examined for breeding soundness. Owners may also request that their non-sale eligible bulls have a breeding soundness exam. Wednesday, September 24 is the deadline for requesting breeding soundness on bulls ineligible for IBEP Auctions.
2. The physical examination will include: (a) palpation of the scrotum and its contents; (b) scrotal circumference; (c) examination of penis and prepuce for injury and/or abnormalities; and (d) rectal examination of internal accessory glands. Bulls with fibropapilloma of the glans penis (warts), persistent penile frenulum (tagged penis) or other reproductive abnormalities which are heritable, or are likely to recur if corrected, will be ineligible for IBEP Auctions.
3. Adjusted 365-day scrotal circumference (SC) will be determined. To be eligible for IBEP Auctions, Simmental bulls must have at least 33 cm adjusted SC; Angus, Gelbvieh, Red Angus and Red Poll bulls must have at least 32 cm adjusted SC. All other breeds must have at least 30.0 cm adjusted SC.
4. The semen evaluation (electro-ejaculate) will include evaluation of sperm motility and % normal sperm. Observations will be rated as either acceptable or unacceptable according to guidelines established by the Society For Theriogenology. If unacceptable, the reason(s) will be reported to the owner(s).
5. Non sale-qualified bulls with gross deficiencies or abnormalities, as detected by this examination for breeding soundness, should not be used for breeding purposes.

SALE OF BULLS: October 18, 2008 at Springville Feeder Auction

1. A sale will be held after the performance test. To qualify, a bull's Performance Index must be in the top 2/3 to 3/4 of his breed group of six (6) or more bulls. The actual percent used will depend on the magnitude of differences in performance indexes among bulls, as well as number and quality of bulls on test. A bull in a breed with fewer than six head must have a Performance Index in the top 2/3 to 3/4 of all bulls in the test. A bull in the lowest 1/4 to 1/3 of his breed group is sale eligible if his Performance Index is at least 100.0 based on the overall average of all bulls tested. Official adjusted 205-day data and registration numbers are required for IBEP auctions. EPDs for Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, and Maternal Milk are required for sale eligibility. Photocopies of official 205-day data summaries, including the registration number, must be in the IBEP office no later than the 63-day weighday (July 22, 2008) or bulls will be declared ineligible for the auction.
2. Owner must notify IBEP office at least 4 weeks prior to the sale if bull will not be sold. Bulls withdrawn less than four weeks of the sale for reasons other than health or injury may be charged a sale fee.
3. All bulls will be inspected by a committee prior to the sale. Any bull that is not healthy, not structurally sound, or that failed the breeding soundness exam will not be allowed to sell. The owner must remove them from the Station by sale day. Bulls not removed during the designated period will be sent to market.
4. All bulls eligible for the Sale will be freeze branded between the end of their performance test and the Sale. Brands will include the official IBEP brand plus year of sale.
5. Individual grooming and special handling of bulls is not permitted.
6. Sale order will be determined by Sale Index (sum of each bull's within-breed quartile ranking for ADG Ratio, WPDA Ratio, Adjusted Scrotal Circumference, % Retail Product, % Intra-Muscular Fat, Birth Weight EPD, Weaning Weight EPD, and Maternal Milk EPD). EPD ranking will be based on the most current National Breed Association information. In case of ties among two or more bulls, Performance Index will determine sale order among bulls with identical Sale Indexes.
7. All announcements or catalog corrections will be made from the "block" by the auctioneer or IBEP-authorized personnel.
8. All bulls will be sold under standard breeding guarantees recognized by respective breed associations.
9. Sale costs will be over and above testing costs and will be based on a percentage of the sale (or floor) price among all bulls catalogued to defray costs of advertising, printing, postage, labor, auctioneer, facilities, insurance, etc.
10. Bulls that fail to sell, and not claimed by the consignor, will be sent to market.
11. Payment will be made to owners of bulls by IBEP after all testing and sale expenses are deducted from the combined testing fees and sale receipts for each bull. Payments will be made within 30 days of the sale.
12. Transfer of the registration certificate for purebred and recorded percentage bulls is between the buyer and seller and is not the responsibility of IBEP; however, if the buyer encounters difficulty in obtaining the certificate, IBEP will assist in any way possible.

IBEP Home Page