FAQ's

How do I become enrolled and approved in the ITS PVP?

Step1: Review the ITS Kit (this is ITS Source and Age application) and Contract.
Step 2: Complete all required information.
Step 3: Assemble calving records, inventory (head count support records) contract and required pages out of the ITS Kit (the required pages have “Submit this Page” at the bottom).
Step 4: Mail, fax or email all information to ITS

Birth dates must be recorded to verify the month/day/year in which calves were born.
Acceptable records include: Red Book, Calendar (where other events are recorded to show authenticity of records), journal entries, working farm notes, or computerized records. Records must be original.

Individual records are those in which birth dates are recorded for each calf born.
– Calves must have an identifier (such as a tag) to match it up with its date of birth.
– If individual birth dates are recorded, additional head count support is NOT needed.
– Producers are expected to submit complete calving records.
– Individual records must be submitted if calves are born year-around.
Group records are those in which only the first and last calves of the calf crop are recorded.
– In order, to assure validity of group records, we ask producers also record information such as working dates, and any other dates which pertain to the cow herd or your farm.
– If you have multiple calving windows, or you want to divide an extended calving window into multiple calving groups, then you must submit a written procedure detailing how each group is uniquely identified to a first and last calf born within each calving group.

Producers must submit head-count support records as part of the application to help verify the numbers of calves you want to approve.
Acceptable methods include: animal health records, cow inventory records, previous year marketing contracts, pregnancy check records, A.I. records, etc.
If you maintain individual animal calving records, additional head count support is not required.

There are a few different options for tags used and you need to check with your marketing agency before ordering tags.
If ordering tags through SLN, see pricing on their site.

Recent research from Kansas State University indicated that premiums ranged from $1.25 to $2.00 per cwt. for both steers and heifers marketed through a video auction over the last five years studied (2004-2009). Premiums for age and source verification are most often not obvious when marketing feeder cattle but rather are in combination with premiums buyers are willing to pay for cattle which have additional value-adding attributes such as being weaned, preconditioned including a health program with a double round of respiratory vaccination, and marketed in large groups. When retaining ownership on your cattle through the harvesting stage of production the premiums for age and source verification will vary between $10 and $40 per head depending on the month of the year, supply of age verified cattle and individual beef packer to which the cattle are sold.

If ITS receives complete applications, the turn-around can normally be expected to be 14 days to approval. During busy times of the year (November-January) applications may be delayed. It is recommended to submit applications as soon as the last calf of the season is born.

Maintain birth and EID records on marketed cattle for three years after marketing date.
Maintain a certificate of age and source approval for three years
Dependant on program, keep procedures documentation or approval confirmation letter from PVP provider for three years after marketing cattle

An age and source program is a portion of the VIP program incentive requirements. Details for the VIP

As a stocker/background there are additional requirements for your cattle to be age and source verified. Contact the Southeastern Livestock Network to learn more.