March 7, 2017

Dear Cattlemen,

Enclosed you will find a document that includes the dates, health requirements and management suggestions along with a nomination form for the 2017-2018 Bull Test. Please feel free to make as many copies of the nomination forms as you need.   We ask that you pay particular attention to the health requirements and vaccination schedule.  Please note that the bulls will be examined closely for warts as they unload.  As you probably know, warts are caused by a virus, are very contagious and can lead to bulls being ineligible for the test and/or sale. All paperwork must be filled out completely before cattle will be unloaded.

This information is available on our website at http://connorsstate.edu/agri/reports/ .  The deadline to submit nominations for the Fall 2017 Test is June 9, 2017.  Feel free to contact Roger Morton or myself if you have any questions. Our mobile numbers are included below.

Roger:        918.463.6304                Todd:        918.463.6279

Best regards,

Todd Trennepohl

700 College Road, Warner, OK 74469, www.connorsstate.edu
BULL TEST ENTRY FORM
I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER THE FOLLOWING BULL IN THE BULL TEST AT CONNORS STATE COLLEGE, WARNER, OK
NOTE: Make copies of this form and complete one for each bull entered in the test. Entries must be received by due date.

Breed________________                Purebred or Percent___________________

Tattoo_________________                Birthweight____ Weaning Wt.___________

Birthdate______________                Weaning Date________________________

Horned, Polled, or Scurred _______        Registration Number __________________

I agree to the rules governing the test and that this application is made with my full knowledge of the rules which are in effect. I understand that Connors State College holds no liability for my bull. Signature_______________________ Date________

Ranch_________________        Social Security Number______________________

Phone_________________

Address______________________________________

E-Mail Address________________________________________

1. History

The Connors State College (CSC) Bull Test was initiated by Agriculture Instructor Robert Hodges in 1961.  The bull sale was a victim of the severe crash in the cattle market in the early 1970s and was discontinued in 1974.  In 1977, Gary Harding was hired to lead the Agriculture Department and restart the bull testing program.  The 1977 test and sale consisted of only 26 bulls.  The second test under Harding’s guidance included 45 bulls but there was an ice storm the day of the sale and the auctioneer, Col. Holland Jester wrecked his car on the way to the sale.  CSC began conducting two tests and sales annually beginning in 1979.  Col. Bruce Brooks of Marietta, OK has sold every sale since.

2. Purpose

The Connors State College Bull Test Station meets the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) definition as a central bull test station as a facility where bulls from different herds are assembled to evaluate performance under uniform conditions.  Specifically, the CSC Bull Test Station functions to:

• Evaluate bulls for post weaning performance
• Educate seedstock producers and commercial cattlemen about the value and utilization of performance records and expected progeny differences (EPDs)
• Provide a source of and market for performance tested bulls
• Provide an opportunity for new breeders to introduce their breeding programs to potential customers

3. Location

The Bull Testing and Sale Facility is located on the campus of Connors State College in Warner, OK.

4. General Description

Both Fall and Spring test are 112 days in length.  The bulls will be fed a complete growing-finishing ration free choice designed to allow for maximum growth, but not intended to over-finish fast gaining bulls.  Course grass hay will also be available to the bulls throughout the test.  The bulls will be weighed every 28 days.

5. Bull Test Capacity

Optimal capacity of the current facilities is 96 bulls; therefore, all bulls must be pre-entered.  The Test Management reserves the right to limit the number of entries to 3 per consignor in the event the number of pre-entries exceeds capacity.  Consideration will be given to breeders who routinely test bulls at Connors state College.

6. Requirements for Entry

The tests are open to all recognized beef breeds and composites.

• Identification

Ear tags and tattoo must be the same as what is on the entry form before bull are unloaded.

Bulls without proper identification upon delivery will be assessed charge $50.00 fee if CSC has to tag or tattoo the bulls.  

• Ages

• Bulls nominated for the Fall 2016 Test should be born in September, October and November of 2015
• Bulls nominated for the Spring 2017 Test should be born in January, February and March 2016.

• Nomination for Entry

Due to space limitations, all bulls must be nominated in advance of each respective test.  Nomination forms should be mailed to Connors State College, ATT: Bull Test Director, 700 College Rd, Warner, OK 74469.  A completed W-9 Form should be included if one is not on file.

• Registration Status

• Breeders are encouraged to register their bulls and obtain EPD information as early as possible.  Bulls without verified registration will be sold as Commercial bulls.
• Bulls that do not have registration paper turned in by the 28 Day weight will be sold as Commercial Bulls

• Quality

• It is highly recommended that breeders select bulls that are structurally sound for consignment.

• Size

• Bulls should weigh at least 650 lbs. at the start of the test

• Health Requirements

• An official health certificate that confirms bulls meet all state and federal health requirements for transporting to the test station is required to unload bulls
• All bulls must be tested and confirmed negative for BVD persistent infection (PI) to be eligible for test.  Bulls without proper verification upon delivery will be assessed a $40 charge, quarantined, tested and confirmed negative before being assigned to a pen.
• Veterinarian confirmation of vaccination program including a list of specific products used.  Bulls should be vaccinated for the following antigens at least three weeks prior to delivery:

• PI3 – Parainfluenza
• BRRSV – Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus
• IBR – Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis
• BVD types 1&2 – Bovine Viral Diarrhea
• Leptospira Interrogans
• Colstridium
• Mannheimia Haemolytica
• Pasteurella Mutocida
• Campylobacter fetus

• Test management reserves the right to refuse any bulls with warts, ringworm and/or mange
• Bulls should be dewormed and treated for grubs and lice prior to delivery
• Horned bulls should be dehorned and healed or have their horns tipped prior to delivery
• It is recommended that hairy bulls entered into the fall test are slickshorn prior to arrival
• All bulls must have a legible tattoo
• Wild and/or unmanageable bulls will be removed from or not accepted for the test

7. General Considerations/Liability

Connors State College and its personnel have no obligation or responsibility to produce casualty insurance on the test bulls.  Owners should acquire insurance prior to delivery to test if they so desire.  Connors State College and it’s personnel assumes no risk or liability or any animal consigned and is not responsible for loss or injury of any bulls due to sickness, death, injury, fire, theft or any other cause.  State and Federal regulations will be followed.

8. Requirements for Sale

All bulls meeting or exceeding the following criteria will be eligible for the sale

• Performance Requirements

• Index – The sum of the 112-Day Average Daily Gain (ADG) ratio and the Weight per Day of Age (WDA) ratio is at least 180 within the appropriate contemporary group.

• Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE)

A qualified veterinarian will be retained to evaluate bulls for reproductive soundness at the end of the test utilizing the guidelines established by the Society for Theriogenology.  Bulls failing BSE will be eliminated for the sale.  Bulls may be rechecked at a later date prior to the sale by the CSC Bull Test Veterinarian at the owners request and expense.  

• Disposition

• Wild or unmanageable bulls will not be sold

9. Costs

• Pen Fee - The pen fee for every bull accepted into the test is $185/hd.  This fee helps defray the cost of operations and maintenance.
• Feed Costs - Bulls will be penned as uniformly as possible.  Total feed will be recorded and each bull will be charged a pro-rated share.
• Veterinary Cost – Special veterinary services and drugs for individual bulls will be charged to the breeder at cost.  Veterinary services required as special precautionary measures for the welfare of all animals will be prorated on a fair and equitable basis.
• Breeding Soundness Exam
• Ultrasound Scan for back fat, rib eye area and intramuscular fat
• Sales Cost – Sales expenses include advertising, auctioneer, ring help, catalog, mailings and sale day labor, etc. will be incurred by all bulls in the sale.  Sales expenses will be prorated per bull based on the number of bulls cataloged for the sale.
• Consigners of bulls not eligible for the sale are responsible for all costs except sales expense.  In case a bull dies or is removed from the test, the owner is responsible for all costs incurred.
• All fees must be paid for before bull can be pick up.

10. Terms and Conditions of the Sale

• Any changes from information of any kind from the sale catalog will be announced from the box, and such announcements shall take precedence.
• Each animal will be sold to the highest bidder.
• The auctioneer in charge will settle any dispute as to bids, and his decision on such matters shall be final.
• Each animal will be at the purchaser’s risk as soon as sold, but it shall be the obligation of the consignor to see that his animals are fed and cared for free of charge to the purchaser until delivery to him or until the expiration of 48 hours following the sale, whichever occurs sooner.
• BREEDING GUARANTEE: All bulls sold are guaranteed by the seller to be breeders if properly cared for. Any bull that settles at least one-third of the healthy cows he breeds will be considered a breeder. The breeding soundness evaluation is not a guarantee of the bull’s fertility or breeding ability; it is an estimation of the bull’s breeding potential as of the date of the breeding soundness evaluation.  Any bull found to be a non-breeder may be returned to the farm of the seller at the buyer’s expense and, if in good condition and complying with the health requirements of the seller’s state, shall entitle the buyer to a satisfactory adjustment.  In the case a bull is claimed to be a non-breeder, the seller shall be entitled to six months following the return of the animal in which to demonstrate that he is a breeder.
• CLAIMS FOR REFUNDS OR ADJUSTMENTS: All claims for adjustment or refund for any reason must be made in writing to the seller within six months of the sale date or within three months after the animal sold reaches the age of 18 months, whichever occurs latter.  The return of the full purchase price will, in any case, be deemed full satisfaction and settlement.
• TERMS OF THE SALE ARE CASH. Settlement is to be made immediately following completion of the sale before movement of the bulls from the facility.  All checks shall be made payable to the Connors State College Bull Sale.
• The above guarantees and terms of sale shall constitute a contract be-tween the buyer and seller of each lot and shall be equally binding upon both. Each sale or resale of an animal constitutes a separate transaction.
• All persons attending this sale do so at their own risk. Neither Connors State College, nor any other person connected with the management of the sale assumes liability, legal or otherwise, for the safety of the building, or for the premises, or for the behavior of the bulls.

11. Important Dates