AS-331
Beef Performance Testing-Questions and Answers
L. A Nelson and K G. MacDonald. Animal Sciences Department. Purdue University
Over the years, performance testing of beef cattle has continued to gain producer acceptance until it is now considered an integral part of beef management. The Cooperative Extension Services or beef improvement associations in many states, including Indiana, offer performance testing programs, as do most of the national breed associations.
This publication attempts to answer some of the more frequently asked questions about performance testing of beef cattle — both on-farm and at a central test station. From the information, we hope that you as an Indiana beef producer will be in a better position to assess the value of this management activity to your enterprise and the type of program that would fit you best. A list of Purdue Extension publications and computer programs dealing with this and related aspects of beef production is given on the last page.
What is performance testing?lt is a simple, accurate method of obtaining systematic records on the production of each animal in the herd. Performance testing offers beef producers a means of measuring differences among animals in heritable economic traits. It’s not a game or contest, but a management tool to be used in improving herd productivity.
Who should performance test? Any beef producer, purebred or commercial, should consider performance testing to help evaluate the individual animals in his or her herd. Of course, one doesn’t have to performance test, but one does have to compete with those who do.
Why performance test? Performance testing provides a basis for comparing cattle handled alike
within a herd or within a test group. Differences among animals in traits of economic value are heritable to a large degree. Thus, systematic measures and use of records in selection will lead to genetic improvement within herds and breeds of cattle, thereby increasing efficiency of production.
What traits are evaluated? Those traits that contribute to both productive efficiency and desirability of product should be measured. Regular reproduction, rapid growth, efficient feed conversion, and carcass type preferred by packers, retailers, and consumers are traits of major economic importance. In most programs they are determined by measuring and recording calving ease, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, carcass quality and yield factors. Other optional data that may be included are: frame size, muscling score, hip height, cow weight and scrotal circumference of yearling bulls.
How can performance test records be used?
Beef performance records are used to increase profits in the following ways:
1.	Raise the average performance of the herd for which affect net income, such as percent calf crop and growth rate to market age.
2.	Provide a complete herd inventory to use in improving management of the herd.
3.	Identify the high-producing cows to keep and the low-producing ones to cull.
4.	Aid in selection of replacement heifers and herd bulls.
5.	Evaluate each sire within the herd.
6.	Provide objective performance data for potential buyers to supplement subjective evaluation by eye.
7.	Help advertise the merits of the herd.