Axe ’Em, Jacks!
A win-win for students and producers
SFA’s bull and heifer development programs help cattle producers select and manage replacement bulls and heifers by providing facilities, labor and feed. The program is a win-win for everyone involved: Producers have the benefit of housing and feeding their cattle off-site, and students gain valuable hands-on experience as they manage the animals’ nutrition and development.
Heifer Development Program
The Heifer Development Program begins in mid-October and runs through mid-June. Students provide detailed monthly reports on each animal. At the end of the program, producers have the option to enter their heifers into SFA’s breeding program.
Program requirements
The Heifer Development Program is designed for heifers weighing between 400 and 700 pounds. All heifers entered into the program must meet the following requirements:
- weaned and bunk broke for a minimum of two weeks
- have ear tag identification that indicates owner and calf number
- dehorned or tipped
- dewormed and deloused a minimum of 30 days before entry into the program
- free of pinkeye, ringworm and warts
- and vaccinated for the following:
- infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza3, bovine viral diarrhea types I and II and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (modified live with booster)
- seven-way clostridium
- haemophilius somnus
- pastruella H&M
- leptospirosis and vibriosis
- and moraxella bovis (pinkeye)
NOTE: Vaccination for brucellis is recommended, but not required
Additionally, any bull exposure must be disclosed before heifers enter the program. Heifers that do not meet the requirements above will be treated on-site upon entering the program or removed at the owner’s expense.
Bull Development Program
The Bull Development Program runs from mid-January through mid-November. The bulls are developed for 150 days on a grain-based diet and finished on forage with supplementation. At the end of the development program, bulls may be consigned to SFA’s student-run Purple Premium Cattle Sale.
Program requirements
The program is designed bulls born between January 1 to May 31. To be eligible for the program, bulls must meet the following requirements:
- weaned for a minimum of 45 days and bunk broke for a minimum of two weeks
- have ear tag identification or a legible brand or tattoo that indicates owner and bull identification
- minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds on delivery
- polled or dehorned; horn cavities should be healed and free of infection
- dewormed and deloused a minimum of 30 days before entry into the program
- free of pinkeye, ringworm and warts
- and vaccinated for the following:
- infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza3, bovine viral diarrhea types I and II and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (modified live with booster)
- seven-way clostridium
- haemophilius somnus
- pastruella H&M
- leptospirosis and vibriosis
- moraxella bovis (pinkeye)
Bulls originating from out of state must have a certificate of veterinary inspection.
Bulls will not be accepted to the program if they are sick, wild or have have physical defects such as:
- cryptorchidism
- testicular hypoplasia
- or stifled, foundered, “double muscled”.
Additionally, before they enter the program, all bulls will be tested at the time of delivery for persistent bovine virus diarrhea infection. Bulls that test positive for this disease must be removed from the facility immediately.
Reservations and pricing
Reservations in the programs are first-come, first-served and based on availability of space. Cost is based on heifer and bull weight, plus costs for any necessary health and veterinary care.
For more information, contact Dr. Erin Brown at browneg@sfasu.edu.