Cow Herd Performance Testing

Introduction Help evaluate economically important traits Calving ease Birth weight Weaning weight Calving interval Calf weight:dam weight MPPA Cull cows, select replacement heifers

Records Needed Contemporary groups Managed together Maximum 90 d calving window Individual animal identification Birth weight (optional) and date Weaning weight Measured at 160 to 250 days of age Cow birth date (or estimated age by teeth examination) Hip height of cows and calves Body condition of cows at weaning

Example Analysis – Heifer Calves IDWeaning Age (d) Actual Weight (lb) 205d Adjusted Weight (lb) Adjusted Weight Ratio Frame Score Muscle Score Average HEIFER PERFORMANCE AT WEANING

Example Analysis - Cows Cow IDAge (yr)WeightBCSFrameMPPACalf wt/Cow wt Avg COW PERFORMANCE AT WEANING