Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Agricultural Development Board Suspends Requirement for Cattle Genetics Improvement Model Program

Today at a monthly Agricultural Development Board meeting, the Board suspended the requirement that “producer applications must be submitted prior to the purchase of a bull” from section C (2) of the Cattle Genetics Improvement Model Program from January 1, 2006 until June 30, 2006. This suspension is only temporary and the policy will resume for applications on July 1, 2006.

This requirement was added to the Cattle Genetics Improvement Model Program on December 16, 2005, and it significantly impacts the effectiveness of the program and drastically changes the way the program is operated. Historically, the Board has not made model program guideline revisions during the year but the suspension for this requirement is needed due to the following reasons:

1.      Retroactivity was allowed in all model programs, including the Cattle Genetics Model Program, until this change was made, and thus many Program Administrators and farmers were not anticipating such a drastic change;

2.      Notice can be given to farmers that the requirements have changed for the 2007 cycle, since many farmers did not know the change was made already purchased a bull for the spring breeding season; and

3.      County funds are not received until April, at the very conclusion of the bull purchasing season, thus it was impossible for the ADB to approve the Cattle Genetics Improvement Programs before bull purchasing season began so that farmers could submit applications prior to the purchase of a bull.  With this suspension Program Administrators and farmers will have ample notice of the change for the last half of 2006, as the requirement will resume July 1, 2006.

For more information on this model program or any other program please contact the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 564-4627 or visit our website at http://agpolicy.ky.gov