Tennessee Department of Agriculture

1. Purchase or lease of a bull
2. Purchase of semen and/or payment for technician fees for artificial insemination

Bull Ownership or Lease Requirements

1. Ownership of purchased bulls must be maintained for a minimum of two successive breeding seasons not in the same year.
2. Leased Bulls can be leased for a minimum of 60 days up to one year.
3. Emergency early release of ownership/lease is possible in case of physical or disposition problems, natural disasters, or situations beyond the producer’s control. Early release must be approved by the TDA following investigation of the circumstances necessitating the request.
4. Maximum Lease Amount $800.00 (reimbursement amounts - $400.00 for Master Producer, $280.00 for Standard Producer)

Artificial Insemination

1. AI Technicians utilized by producers receiving grant funds for reimbursement must be affiliated with Artificial Breeding Companies.
2. Producers that have been certified to do AI through an accredited program (for example ABS or Select Sires, etc) can do their own AI work.
3. The cost of accredited AI technicians (or Veterinarian’s fees for AI services) is eligible.
4. Cost of semen, synchronism supplies & other AI supplies are eligible for cost share reimbursement.

Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) or Lifetime Net Merit Requirements

1. Beef: To qualify, a bull must be in the top 50% of his breed for at least two of the following EPD traits: Birth Weight/Calving Ease; Weaning Weight; Yearling Weight; or Maternal Milk (breed averages will be included in approval packet).
2. Dairy Breeds: Semen from AI sires must be from sires in top 20% for Lifetime Net Merit (LNM) for their breed or they must meet the following criteria:
   1. Holstein AI sires - Type & Production Index (TPI) of 1673 or higher
   2. Jersey AI sires - Jersey Performance Index (JPI) 156 or higher
   3. Brown Swiss AI sires - Brown Swiss Progressive Performance Ranking (PPR) of 130 or higher
   4. All other dairy breed AI sires - Must be in the top 20% for LNM or the top 20% for their respective breed index. Semen from bulls of dairy breeds in other countries used for cross breeding should be from bulls in the top 20% for their country's main breed index.
   5. Natural service bulls - Sire must meet the criteria for LNM or the appropriate breed index listed in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, during the year they are used. For natural service bulls, there are no restrictions on the dam. Natural service bulls must also pass a breeding soundness exam to qualify.

Breeding Soundness Evaluation

1. Bulls purchased/leased must pass a Breeding Soundness Evaluation. A Breeding Soundness Evaluation Certificate from a licensed veterinarian must be included with reimbursement request.
2. Must be dated within 90 days of purchase

Electronic Identification (15 digit number)

1. The producer will identify each bull purchased and/or leased with an electronic identification tag & provide the number to the TDA.
2. Tags can be purchased at most local farm supply stores or your local veterinarian.

1. Producer time & labor for AI work will not be reimbursed
2. Embryo transfer
3. Semen Tank (refer to Livestock Equipment Eligible Items)
4. Herd Evaluation