Mimeo AS-323 December 1964
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Lafayette, Indiana
Beef On-Farm Performance Testing-
why and how to keep weaning records
by L. L. Wilson, K. J. Drewry, R. R. Garrigus, K. G. MacDonald and Henry Mayo, Animal Sciences Department
Commercial and purebred beef breeders should continually search for ways to increase profits. Since the profit from any livestock enterprise depends on having high producing animals, breeders should accurately evaluate the production of each animal in the herd. Many commercial and purebred beef breeders use performance testing to help select productive replacement cattle and to cull cows.
Production testing requires several calculations and accurate recording of data. Therefore Indiana cattlemen may want to have their performance records summarized on electronic computers.
The Indiana Cooperative Extension Service will provide free electronic record summarization on a limited basis during 1965. Electronic processing in other states has provided permanent, accurate, standardized production records for herd improvement.
The purpose of this publication is to help Indiana cattlemen enter the weaning Phase of an On-Farm Performance Testing
Program.
Producers may obtain copies of the f°nn "Beef Cattle On-Farm Performance Testing-Weaning Record" from the County Extension Agent (sample attached). This ls a two-part (yellow and pink) form which ^akes a duplicate copy without carbon Paper. Care must be taken in completing these forms to reduce errors in record-data.
STEPS IN COMPLETING THE WEANING RECORDS
After Breeding Season
Fill in Breed, Name, Address and County as it should appear on the official herd record.
Do not write in the farm code or breed
spaces.
Fill in Year t ^	and class
f	Year (5-6)
Class (9) The year in which the calves will be weighed is the figure used. In herds consisting of a combination of purebred, grade or crossbred calves, use the class code which applies to the majority of the calves if all calves are to be indexed on the same basis. If each class is to be indexed separately, then separate weaning forms should be used for each breed or class. Do not fill in weaning date until the calves are weighed.
Cow identification: One of the most direct benefits of performance testing is the identification of high and low producing cows. To find, cull, and replace cows that are not paying their way, apermanent cow numbering system should be used. Cows may be identified by neck chains, ear tattoos, hip or horn brands, or eartags. For commercial herds, brands are usually better because they are permanent and easier to read in the field. There are many good ways to number cows. Two methods are given be-