Rules for the
Performance Tested Bull Sale


The rules have been set up to assure commercial and purebred buyers that they will have individual performance data on each bull, along with pedigree, for selecting a prospective herd sire. The rules of the sale were developed by the Sale Committee of the Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the Animal Science Department, University of Missouri - Columbia.

Required Performance and Conformation Information
  1. Consignors must be a member of Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association and Missouri Cattlemen's Association.

  2. Bulls for the Fall 1999 sale must have been born no earlier than December 1, 1997 and no later than October 15, 1998. Bulls for the Spring 2000 sale must be born no earlier than May, 1 1998 and no later than March 15, 1999.

  3. Focus "value" on Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) or genetic merit.

    Expected progeny differences(EPD's) provide the best means of comparing genetic merit of animals within the breed. For each trait evaluated, the EPD incorporates the animal's individual and progeny performance with progeny performance information from other relatives. By utilizing national sire evaluation information, the evaluation also utilizes information from related traits and accounts, in part, for differences in the genetic merit of herdmates as well as genetic trends within the breed. Each trait evaluation predicts expected progeny performance relative to a fixed breed average - hence the term "Expected Progeny Difference." The key Word is "difference." The EPD itself does not imply "good" or "bad" performance, only whether the performance of progeny is expected to be above or below that of progeny from average parents. Breeders should, on an individual basis, decide what is best for them by considering what traits are important to their program, their current herd performance, and the degree of change desired.

    Accuracy (ACC) - A measure of certainty regarding the EPD evaluation for a performance trait. Accuracy is reported as a decimal number between zero and one; larger values indicate greater accuracy and more certainty that the EPD will not change significantly as additional progeny information is obtained. Accuracy values of less than .20 are typical for non-parent bulls.

    Birth Weight EPD - The expected difference in average birth weight (lbs.) of progeny. Birth weight reflects prenatal growth potential and may also be used as an indicator of calving ease,.

    Maternal Milk EPD - The expected difference in average weaning weight (lbs.) of daughter's calves which is attributed to milking ability. This evaluation is obtained by subtracting 1/2 of the Weaning Weight EPD (the direct effect on growth) from the Maternal Weaning Weight EPD.

    Weaning Weight EPD - The expected difference in average weaning weight of calves. The evaluation reflects the genetic influence on pre-weaning growth rate.

    Yearling Weight EPD - The expected difference in average yearling weight of progeny. The evaluation reflects genetic influence on both pre-weaning and postweaning growth rate.

  4. All bulls must have EPD's for birth weight, weaning weight, milk, and yearling weight. No bulls will be catalogued otherwise. However, the most current EPD's and accuracy's will be catalogued for all available traits depending upon traits available for each breed. Supplements will be provided sale day reflecting the most current EPD'S. 

             NON-PARENT EPD's for 1998 BORN BULLS
    
                        BW      WW      YW     Milk    
     Angus             2.7     29.0    54.0    13.0
     Polled Hereford   3.7     31.0    52.0     9.0
     Charolais         1.8     12.2    21.6     6.6
     Simmental         3.8     35.0    54.6     9.6
     Gelbvieh          2.0     33.0    59.0    18.0
     Red Angus         0.6     26.0    43.0    11.0
  5. Breeders must submit whole herd performance information to their respective breed association for birth, weaning and yearling weight within the breed association guidelines.


  6. Bulls must have a minimum scrotal circumference of 34 cm by sale day (no adjustment). Bulls not meeting this requirement will not be allowed to sell.


  7. Bulls must be determined to be sound breeders by a licensed veterinarian within 60 days prior to sale or he will not sell. This should be in the form of a signed document by the veterinarian stating the bull has acceptable semen motility and sperm morphology and the bull's reproductive organs are normal as determined by palpation to be a sound breeder. It is acceptable to have the bull tested more than once. The bull must still meet the sale scrotal circumference requirement (See Rule #6 above).


  8. Breeders are encouraged to develop bulls from weaning to yearling time on a ration that will allow average gain of 3.25 lb./d. If you need assistance in developing a test ration, contact your regional livestock specialist.


  9. Bulls must have a minimum adjusted yearling weight of 1,1 00 lbs.


  10. Livestock Specialist shall be present at weaning and yearling weighing and measurement.


  11. Bulls must have acceptable disposition and feet and leg soundness to sell. This will be determined by a pre-designated sale committee.


  12. SALE ORDER CHANGE: The entire breed offering will sell before proceeding to the next breed. All bulls within a breed will be classified as a "Growth Bull" or "Calving Ease Bull." Any bull with a Birth Weight EPD value that qualified for the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program will be classified as a "Calving Ease" bull. All other bulls will be classified as "Growth Bulls." Sale order of Growth bulls will be determined by selling in descending order from the highest Weaning Weight EPD to the lowest. Sale order of the "Calving Ease" bulls will be determined by selling in ascending order from lowest EPD value to the highest. Growth Bulls will sell first, followed by the Calving Ease bulls, within a breed.


  13. Bulls that are in the top 20% of their breed EPD (based upon young animals) for a specific trait will be recognized in the sale catalog.


  14. Breeders must supply registration number at entry time. Each bull must have completed the post-weaning test and weights submitted for all contemporaries to the breed association NO LATER THAN AUGUST 20 FOR FALL SALE. All other available information must be provided to the sale manager by AUGUST 10. However, birth and weaning contemporary group information must be reported to the breed association by entry time. For the spring sale, post-weaning test completed and weights submitted for all contemporaries to the breed association NO LATER THAN JANUARY 20. All other available information provided to the sale manager by JANUARY 10.


  15. Each bull will be checked for horns or scurs, and announcements will be made during the sale.


  16. Bulls that have been dehorned must be healed.


  17. Bulls must be free of active warts, ringworm, mange and pinkeye.


  18. All bulls must be vaccinated against five strains of Leptospirosis within 30 days of sale. All bulls must be tested and found negative for brucellosis (Bangs), and anaplasmosis within 30 days of the sale.


  19. If the bull has been in service prior to the sale, this will be announced from the auction block.


  20. Bulls, to be eligible for the sale, will have to be owned as a cow-calf unit prior to the time the calf is 120 days of age. Any exceptions to this rule, as in the case of partnerships, will be determined by the sale committee.


  21. All semen and health papers, with tattoo and lot number on each bull are to be received one week before sale, by Dr. Dave Hardin, Continuing Education in Veterinary Medicine, Wl23 Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211.


  22. All consignors are responsible for loading out their bulls following the sale. A $25 per bull fee will be charged for noncompliance.


  23. All bulls must be handled with a nose lead.


  24. All bulls must be at the University Livestock Center in Columbia according to a designated schedule mailed to each consignor.


  25. All bulls will be weighed and measured the day prior to the sale.


  26. Buyers from states other than Missouri should be familiar with their own state entry health requirements.


  27. Rule compliance is the responsibility of the consignor. Any violation of rules will result in sale disqualification.


  28. The foregoing revisions have been approved by the sale committee for this sale.


Soundness

A committee of livestock specialists, extension veterinarians and members of the sale committee will rule on soundness of each bull. That ruling will be final.