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The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association bull and heifer evaluation program serves the needs of both the cattle seedstock producers and the Iowa commercial industry. Each year approximately 100 progressive breeders enter more than 400 bulls and 70 heifers into three tests for comparison and bench marking. These superior genetics are then offered to the commercial industry at 3 sales across the state of Iowa.
ICA Test Stations: Bulls and heifers may be inspected at the feedyards throughout the test. Bloomfield bull and open heifers are on test at the Amana Farms test station, Amana, IA. Dunlap and Tama bulls are on test at the Van Meter Feedyard test station, Guthrie Center, IA.
Bull Selection Criteria: Bulls must meet strict selection criteria to be eligible for an ICA sale and be worthy of the ICA ‘Symbol of Excellence’. First, bulls must meet four performance standards:
1. Min. ADG ratio of 90.
2. Min. 1,100 pound adjusted yearling weight.
3. Min. 11.5 in2 ultrasound ribeye area measurement.
4. Min. 32-cm scrotal circumference measurement.
But this is only the beginning. Bulls must pass a breeding soundness exam and are evaluated by a selection committee. Individuals serving on the selection committee do not know the owners of the bulls. They take a very critical look at bulls for structural problems as well as any bulls with poor dispositions. After a bull has met all of the selection criteria, he is catalogued for the ICA "Symbol of Excellence" sale and presented for the customer's evaluation. Only the top two-thirds of bulls (within their respective breeds) receive this honor.
Heifer Selection Criteria: Heifers enrolled in the ICA test are calfhood vaccinated, have had a full reproductive exam, maximum frame score of 8.0, minimum adjusted yearling weight of 730 pounds. Many heifers carry some impressive pedigree line and will be offered with registration papers.
Identification and Test Data: Each bull and heifer carries an Iowa Cattlemen's Association electronic identification tag (EID) which is enrolled in the ICA identification and data management database. The ICA EID program is utilized for the testing program, so each buyer will be supplied with the information that is gathered throughout the testing period.
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