Recent changes to Kentucky’s CPH-45 program will enhance its stature as an elite feeder cattle program and add value to the cattle in the program, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said.

“These changes make a great program even better,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This will further increase demand for cattle that go through this program. I commend the CPH-45 Advisory Board for taking these proactive steps.”

In a meeting April 28, the board made the following changes:

• Free choice mineral supplement must be available which contains at least 1,400 parts per million copper (no copper oxide), 26 ppm selenium, 3,000 ppm zinc, 3,000 ppm manganese and 18-25 percent salt on a 4-ounce daily intake. No other salt can be available. The discussion concluded that a proper mineral program improves animal health, which allows vaccinations to be effective.

• Calves must be vaccinated for Manheimia haemolytica (pasteurella), which has been optional in the past

• Heifers are guaranteed open at the time of the sale, and steers are guaranteed not to be bulls. Seller agrees to reimburse buyer $200 for pregnant heifer and intact bulls. All claims must be properly verified by a veterinarian within four months of the sale. These changes shorten the time for verification and increase the reimbursement fee from $100 to $200.

• Males must be castrated and healed. Late castration leads to stags, which are discounted. The committee strongly encourages early castration with a knife.

The CPH-45 (Certified Pre-Conditioned for Health) program requires feeder cattle to go through a strict health regimen. It also requires source and age verification. Cattle raised and sold through the program historically have received $6-$8 per hundredweight more than cattle sold in traditional stockyard sales in Kentucky.

For more information on the CPH-45 program, contact Tim Dietrich, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s beef marketing specialist, at (502) 564-4983 or tim.dietrich@ky.gov, or go to www.cph45.com.