Drop-Off Date(s) and Deadlines:  Estimated time of arrival at the developmental centers will be as early as September through the end of December for late fall of 2007 and spring of 2008 aged heifers.  Heifers born in the late summer and fall of 2008 will be accepted as early as March of 2009.  Each developmental center will set the exact days when heifers will be accepted.  Please contact the specific developmental center listed on the back of this page to find out more details on drop-off days.

Bred Heifer Sale: At the conclusion of the developmental period, consignors will have the option to place heifers in an exclusive bred heifer sale managed by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. Consignors are not required to sell their heifers.

Physical requirements:

Animal Identification: OBHDP heifers will be individually identified.

Blemishes: Heifers with active cases of Pinkeye are not OBHDP eligible.

Growth: Heifers must weigh a minimum of 1.8 pounds per day of age upon arrival.

Implants: It is recommended heifers not be implanted. If heifers are implanted, it is required that only FDA approved products for replacement heifers be used and administered according to label guidelines.

Development Guidelines: Breed Improvement Federation guidelines will be followed when possible throughout the developmental process.

Health requirements: The health requirements and procedures go beyond the regulatory requirements of the State of Ohio. These requirements have been established by the Heifer Development Committee and are mandatory for all delivered heifers.

OCA will provide vaccination and treatment record forms for each heifer nominated. All forms must be completed and delivered with the heifer(s). Your veterinarian must sign the vaccination and treatment record stating that the heifer(s) have been vaccinated and boostered. All shots must be given according to Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.

Any heifer deemed to be sick, unsound, and/or exhibiting physical abnormalities of any kind will be evaluated. The veterinarian and a representative of the Heifer Development Committee will make these decisions. All committee approved decisions are final.

Veterinary service for any heifer will be obtained when necessary and the consignor will be responsible for veterinary service fees, drugs and medication on their heifer(s).

Regardless of state, heifers must be accompanied by:
1.  A certificate of veterinary inspection stating Tuberculosis (TB) and Brucellosis status and showing no visible signs of infectious, contagious, or communicable disease.  Heifers must test negative to TB and Brucellosis within 30 days prior to delivery to the sale.  Heifers from accredited and certified herds do not need to be TB and Brucellosis tested but certification and accreditation numbers must be listed along with qualifying test dates.

2.  A vaccination record, stating the heifer has been vaccinated for IBR-PI3; BVD; Leptospirosis (5 strain); BRSV vaccine; Clostridium chauvoei, septicum, sordellii, novyi, perfringens types C & D, bacterin-toxoid, Mannheimia hemolytica, and Pasteurella multicida all according to manufacturer’s recommendations.***All vaccinations should be given 21 to 60 days prior to sale.***

3.  Testing for BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) is required and Johnes disease is encouraged, but not mandatory.

Prebreeding evaluation: A pre-breeding pelvic evaluation will be done for all heifers. Pelvic area measurements will be taken as well as the reproductive tract will be evaluated.

Reproductive management: Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination will be used. Heifers will be artificially bred during a sixty (60) day breeding season. Heifers will be bred to calve between 22 and 26 months of age. Heifers will have 3 possible attempts to conceive. Consignors will be contacted if the heifers do not conceive during this period.

Sire requirements: All heifers (whether returning to the owner or offered for sale) will be bred to a bull in the top 25% of the breed for birth weight EPD and with an accuracy of .80 or higher. Owner must have bulls approved by the OBHDP committee.

Heifer inspection: The screening committee reserves the right to reject any heifer not meeting recommended criteria.

Heifers meeting requirements as outlined will receive an Ohio Beef Heifer Development Program ear tag. Misrepresentation or false advertisement of OBHDP will result in exclusion from future program participation.

Pregnancy: A confirmatory pregnancy exam will be performed less than 120 days from the breeding date on all heifers prior to release to the owner.

Cost of Development: Cost will be determined by the respective heifer development centers and the OBHDP committee. Costs will include labor, feed, yardage, estrus synchronization, semen & health. Additional costs (due to sickness or other related event) will be charged to the owner of the heifer. Anticipated costs will range from $1.50-$2.00 per head per day depending on the volatility of the feedstuff market.

Careful management and care will be exercised at all times. Veterinary services will be used when necessary at the expense of the owner. However, neither the Ohio Beef Heifer Development Program nor anyone associated with The Ohio State University or the Ohio Cattlemen's Association will assume liability for the cattle in case of loss. These parties have no obligation to procure casualty insurance on heifers enrolled in the program. However, consignors are encouraged to consider casualty insurance on their heifers prior to delivery to the station.

Be sure to check back for additional information about the heifer development program.

Locations of Developmental Centers:

Heifer Development & Breeding Services
John, Diana & Carlos Day
8035 Buchanan Road
Russellville, Ohio, 45168
937-205-5714

Lazy 8 Farm
Dennis Blakeman
1664 Cherry Fork Road
Oak Hill, Ohio, 45656
740-682-7465

JR Farms
John and Mick Ritchie
4904 Hamburg Rd SW
Lancaster, Ohio, 43130
740-969-2518