The American Hereford Association (AHA) recognizes the importance of performance records in today’s beef industry. By utilizing Whole Herd Total Performance Records (TPR™), Hereford breeders can take advantage of a system flexible enough to meet the needs of any record keeping cattle operation. Overview of Whole Herd TPR The basic concept of beef cattle performance records is to measure genetic differences between animals for traits of economic importance. The AHA has chosen to implement a whole herd reporting system for breeders choosing to maintain performance registry records. Whole Herd TPR is a system of registration and performance tracking whereby every participating breeder updates their cow herd inventory seasonally and is charged for performance data on a per-cow basis as opposed to a per-calf basis. The system is positively endorsed by the Beef Improvement Federation, a North American umbrella organization of beef breed associations, beef producers, researchers and the academic community. With this system, the AHA is able to measure economically relevant beef production traits such as fertility, longevity and reproductive efficiency. Furthermore, the greater volume of data reported from each herd for measured growth and carcass traits enhance the accuracy of Hereford EPDs. Participation Participation in Whole Herd TPR is voluntary, and breeders may choose to maintain pedigree records without recording performance information if they wish. Performance registry breeders are required to maintain an accurate and up-to-date female inventory, listing all females currently in their breeding herd with AHA. Performance registry breeders are required to annually report calving ease and weaning weight information on the produce of every female in the inventory. Additional measures including birth and yearling weights, as well as carcass traits, can be reported but are not required. EPDs will be printed on the certificate. EPDs will only be reported on registered animals. Non-registered animals or genetic material will not be provided EPDs. Members who don’t participate in Whole Herd TPR are considered pedigree breeders, choosing to waive performance recording and production of EPDs on their animals. Gold TPR Breeder The Gold TPR program was established in 2005 to recognize breeders who not only participate in the Whole Herd TPR system but also go above and beyond the basic requirements. To qualify for the prestigious award the breeder must submit their herd inventory prior to the inventory surcharge deadline (Spring — March 1; Fall — September 1) and have a complete report of calving ease and reproductive status on record at AHA for each dam on the inventory. A complete set of birth, weaning and yearling weights is required as well as scrotal measurements for each bull calf with a recorded yearling weight. In addition, Gold TPR Breeders need to report ultrasound data on 25% or more of their calf crop. How to report Whole Herd TPR records Performance records can be submitted using traditional paper forms, the free online registry, MyHerd.org (MyHerd) or with a purchased herd management software. Refer to page 14 for more information on Whole Herd TPR reporting tools.
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