Whole Herd Performance Recording (TPR)
There have been many questions regarding the Whole Herd Performance Recording (TPR). I have received several documents from Ervin Kaatz regarding this new process. I have copied them below and have included the documents to be downloaded for your reference. If you wish to download the files, please click on the heading below and they will download into Microsoft Word. - Thanks, Sandy
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International
PO Box 1257 Kingsville, Texas 78364 361-592-9357 www.santagertrudis.com
October 17, 2008
To: All Active and Junior SGBI members
Subject: Whole Herd TPR Reporting
WHOLE HERD TPRä REPORTING… AN OVERVIEW
The basic concept of beef cattle performance records is to measure genetic differences between animals for traits of economic importance.
SGBI has chosen to implement a Whole Herd TPRä Reporting system for breeders choosing to maintain performance registry records. Whole Herd TPRä Reporting is a system of registration and performance tracking whereby every participating breeder updates his/her cowherd inventory seasonally and is charged for performance data on a per cow 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, SGBI 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 Santa Gertrudis EPDs.
Participation in Whole Herd TPRä is voluntary and breeders may choose to maintain pedigree records without recording performance information if they wish. With this option, known as Pedigree Registry, breeders will not see EPDs or other performance information printed on their registry certificates nor will it otherwise be available after April 1, 2010.
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International recognizes the importance of performance records in today’s beef industry and through Whole Herd Total Performance Records (TPRä) can provide a system flexible enough to meet the needs of the most sophisticated record keeping breeder or those who desire to keep only the basics.
The concept of Whole Herd or Total Herd Reporting has been around for a good many years. The majority of beef breed associations in the U.S. have already adopted the process. Many have chosen to take the approach calling for mandatory THR while some have preferred to allow breeders to choose between a whole herd and traditional registration program.
The breeder that chooses to participate in the THR system will receive complete EPD and performance data back on his cattle. He will pay an additional fee to enroll his herd in the program. That data will also be included in the breed’s genetic evaluations.
The breeder that chooses to participate in the traditional registration process known as Pedigree Registry will pay no additional fees and will receive no performance data or EPDs on his cattle. These cattle will not be included in the breed’s genetic evaluations. This program is designed for the breeder that chooses to not collect and report performance data, but still wishes to register his calves and maintain pedigree records.
While breeders are strongly encouraged to participate in the THR process, it is entirely voluntary and leaves the decision regarding performance reporting up to the individual breeder. It is important for breeders to understand that the most essential part of a meaningful genetic evaluation is the need to receive and include performance data on an entire herd or population versus using only partial or incomplete herd data. Partial data results in lower accuracies and less reliability in the EPD process. In a nutshell, this is the reason for implementing Whole Herd TPR.
Included with this letter is a form for you to complete and return to SGBI. On it you can indicate whether you wish to participate in Whole Herd TPR Reporting or you wish to participate in the Pedigree Registry. Please complete and return this form as soon as possible. Breeders not returning the form by December 1, 2008 will be assumed to have chosen the Pedigree Registry option.
Once SGBI receives your completed form; if you have chosen to participate in TPR, you will receive a herd inventory with breeding age females and herd sires designated as TPR eligible. There will be no extra charge for TPR animals this first year. Younger registered females and bulls will still be listed on your Fair Share inventory. You also will receive a TPR Manual plus you can go to the SGBI website to view or download a copy.
On the TPR inventory, you will be asked to designate each female as either a spring calver or a fall calver. If there are females or bulls on the inventory that are no longer active, they should be removed. Once completed, the TPR inventory should be returned to SGBI promptly.
Thereafter, you will receive updated inventories twice a year – one for spring calvers and one for fall calvers. Each and every breeding age female on inventory will be required to have reported: (1) calving record or cow breeding status and (2) calf weaning weight or disposal code. While these are the only two areas that must be reported, there are several more optional performance data items that breeders are encouraged to submit. As with the required data, optional data must also be reported on all calves in a calving season. This is a part of the Whole Herd concept for data to be meaningful, it must include every animal in the herd.
Whole Herd TPR Reporting may seem complicated at first glance. But basically all that is required is for breeders to (1) know when a cow is going to calve (2) know when she calved or why she didn’t and (3) what her calf weighed at weaning. These are very basic things that every seedstock breeder should know regardless of whether they participate in TPR or not.
Please indicate on the enclosed form whether you intend to participate in Whole Herd TPR Reporting or wish to maintain pedigree records (Pedigree Registry) without recording performance information.
Thank you,
Ervin A. Kaatz, Jr.
Executive Director
This is the Designation Form referenced in the letter above.
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International
Registry Option Designation Form
Please check the appropriate box to indicate which option you would like to use to continue to register cattle at SGBI:
r Whole Herd TPR | r Pedigree Registry |
If your herd is currently comprised of animals which are currently in the ownership of multiple accounts and you would like to have them all associated with a single master account as one herd , then please fill out the information in this section. All fields of information for each account are required The ownership of the animals within each account will not be changed and there is no charge for this activity. The account that is designated as the master account will receive all future TPR herd inventory mailings and general correspondence from the association.
Master Account Number |
Account Name |
Account Owner Signature |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
Account Number | Account Name | Account Owner Signature |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
______________ | _____________________________________ | _____________________________ |
If you would like for the master account identified above to be the debtor account for all of the sub-accounts, please check the appropriate box. rYes rNo
Checking Yes, authorizes all work processed for a sub-account to be billed to the master account.
If you wish for the master account to be the debtor account for only part of the sub-accounts, please identify them by account number here: ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
This is Ervin's Column in the October 2008 edition of the USA.
Whole Herd Total Performance Record (TPR)
The following is the preface in the soon to be implemented Whole Herd TPR Manual.
WHOLE HERD TPRä REPORTING… AN OVERVIEW
The basic concept of beef cattle performance records is to measure genetic differences between animals for traits of economic importance.
SGBI has chosen to implement a Whole Herd TPRä Reporting system for breeders choosing to maintain performance registry records. Whole Herd TPRä Reporting is a system of registration and performance tracking whereby every participating breeder updates his/her cowherd 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, SGBI 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 enhances the accuracy of Santa Gertrudis EPDs.
Participation in Whole Herd TPRä is voluntary and breeders may choose to maintain pedigree records without recording performance information if they wish. With this option, known as Pedigree Registry, breeders will not see EPDs or other performance information printed on their registry certificates nor will it otherwise be available after April 1, 2010.
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International recognizes the importance of performance records in today’s beef industry and through Whole Herd Total Performance Records (TPRä) can provide a system flexible enough to meet the needs of the most sophisticated record keeping breeder or those who desire to keep only the basics.
The concept of Whole Herd or Total Herd Reporting has been around for a good many years. The majority of beef breed associations in the U.S. have already adopted the process. Many have chosen to take the approach calling for mandatory THR while some have preferred to allow breeders to choose between a whole herd and traditional registration program.
The breeder that chooses to participate in the THR system will receive complete EPD and performance data back on his cattle. He will pay an additional fee to enroll his herd in the program. That data will also be included in the breed’s genetic evaluations.
The breeder that chooses to participate in the traditional registration process known as Pedigree Registry will pay no additional fees and will receive no performance data or EPDs on his cattle. These cattle will not be included in the breed’s genetic evaluations. This program is designed for the breeder that chooses to not collect and report performance data, but still wishes to register his calves and maintain pedigree records.
While breeders are strongly encouraged to participate in the THR process, it is entirely voluntary and leaves the decision regarding performance reporting up to the individual breeder. It is important for breeders to understand that the most essential part of a meaningful genetic evaluation is the need to receive and include performance data on an entire herd or population versus using only partial or incomplete herd data. Partial data results in lower accuracies and less reliability in the EPD process. In a nutshell, this is the reason for implementing Whole Herd TPR.
This is Ervin's Column in the Novemer/December 2008 edition of the USA.
EK Column November 08
Whole Herd Total Performance Record (TPR)
My October column carried the same heading as this one does. If you didn’t have the opportunity to read that column, I hope you will do so soon. Your association’s leadership has put a great deal of time and effort in developing programs designed to provide Santa Gertrudis breeders with the tools necessary to compete in a rapidly changing beef industry.
To the individual purebred breeder, I understand that it is sometimes difficult to see how you fit into the big picture. What effect does one small breeder with thirty cows have on the breed, much less the entire beef industry? It is important to remember the average size breeder fits that exact description.
TPR is the next step in moving the Santa Gertrudis breed forward. Will it require some extra effort from breeders? Of course it will – improvement always requires effort. Is it unrealistic? The majority of the beef industry doesn’t think so. I recently came across some comments made by a breeder from another breed that recently adopted the Whole Herd TPR concept.
Lorenzo Lasater is the newly elected President of Beefmaster Breeders United and President of Isa Cattle Co out of San Angelo, Texas. He is the grandson of Tom Lasater, creator of the Beefmaster breed. The Lasater name is well known throughout the entire industry. Their stability is marked by having recently completed their 47th bull sale. His comments:
“Why Does Performance Matter?
• To compete with other breeds, we must demonstrate Beefmasters’ excellence through performance data.
• As seedstock producers, we each have a responsibility to examine the relative
genetic merit of the cattle we raise.
• This is a business, and we will receive more income, both in the near and far terms, for cattle with performance behind them.
• We can only make good breeding decisions if we know where we’ve been and where we hope to go.
Performance in cattle can mean many things; it could be an animal’s ability to gain weight, a cow’s skill at raising a good calf and rebreeding in a 365-day period, or the type of growth traits a semen bull will bring to your herd.
Basically, we are looking for ways to measure the genetic potential of cattle to excel in many different traits, and collecting performance data on our cattle allows us to measure where we’ve
been and plan for where we’d like to go.
The old saying goes, “We cannot change what we cannot measure.” This is absolutely true in cattle breeding.
A Few Common Misconceptions
“I only want to turn in performance data on the good ones.” This actually hurts the good ones. Performance data is about averages and the individual’s ratio or position against that average. You want them to be compared to the entire peer group, which actually makes them
look better.
“What if I don’t have scales?” If you can afford to be in the registered business, you
can afford to buy a set of scales. Partner with a neighbor, find a used set—do whatever you have to. One of the greatest thrills in cattle husbandry is when those calves come in at weaning and you have the opportunity to weigh the calves and see how you did for the year.
“I don’t use performance data in my marketing or selection, why should I participate?” If you are not using performance data in your own operation, you are missing a critically important
selection component. Furthermore, your customers may need to sell cattle with performance behind them. Most importantly, if our breed is to be relevant, we must display performance to
the industry.”
Even though Lasater speaks of another breed, it is one with a similar background and place within the industry as Santa Gertrudis. Some might say that our American Breeds have failed to keep pace with the need for collecting performance data; but that day has passed. The outlook for our type of cattle is the best it has been in a long time. With that opportunity comes the responsibility to provide cattle to the industry with known performance. Our customers deserve it.
This is Ervin's Column in the January 2009 edition of the USA.
EK Column January 09
Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Whole Herd Total Performance Recording (TPR)
1. Why is SGBI implementing TPR? Why not just maintain the current registration system?
TPR is being implemented to improve the accuracy of the breed’s genetic evaluation system. This is the process where performance data submitted by breeders is converted to EPDs for the breed. In order for EPDs to accurately represent the breed, it is essential that the data used in the genetic evaluation come from complete populations or contemporary groups. Under TPR, only data submitted for complete contemporary groups will be recorded in the system and used in the breed’s genetic evaluation.
2. Is TPR mandatory for all SGBI members?
No, TPR is completely voluntary and breeders may choose to maintain pedigree records without recording performance information if they wish.
3. If a breeder chooses not to participate in TPR, what types of registration information will the non-participating breeder receive?
Breeders may choose the option known as Pedigree Registry. Under this option, breeders will not see EPDs or other performance information printed on their registry certificates.
4. What is the implementation date for TPR?
The move to TPR began in the fall of 2008 with the initial request for breeders to choose their option – TPR or Pedigree Registry. Breeders that chose to participate in TPR received an inventory of their breeding age females and were asked to separate those females into calving seasons. Those breeders will then go thru a complete year of TPR on a trial basis at no cost. On April 1, 2010, TPR will go into full effect.
5. What are the initial costs to the breeder who elects to participate in TPR?
There are no costs to the breeder until the beginning of the fiscal year April 1, 2010. At that time, the breeder may choose to continue in TPR or switch to Pedigree Registry.
6. Subsequent to the initial implementation period for TPR, what additional costs will the participating breeder incur?
Beginning with the fiscal year 2010, breeders participating in TPR will pay a fee of $2.50 for each active producing female in their herd, $1.00 for each bred heifer and $1.00 for each herd sire.
7. Will the breeder who chooses not to participate in TPR have to bear any additional fees because SGBI is offering TPR?
No, breeders that choose the Pedigree Registry option will pay no additional fees other than the normal fees associated with membership, registration, and transfer.
8. Will TPR increase the reliability and accuracy of EPDs for the Santa Gertrudis breed?
Yes – this is the primary purpose for implementing TPR.
9. Will more accurate EPD information increase the marketability and profit potential for registered Santa Gertrudis bulls and females?
Yes – but only if breeders utilize the EPD information in their breeding and selection programs.
10. What other breeds offer TPR and what do those breeds charge for TPR?
All major and most minor U.S. breed associations have implemented some form of whole herd performance reporting. It is an essential component of an accurate and reliable performance data program. Breeds have differed on their approach to how their programs are set up and how they are funded. Some breeds require mandatory TPR in order for the breeder to be able to register calves. Others have provided TPR as an optional program. SGBI’s TPR program does not require the breeder to register all calves. Some breeds charge a fee for each producing female and that fee includes a registration and transfer for the calf. Those fees range from $18 to $25 per female regardless of whether the breeder wishes to register the calf or not.
The SGBI Whole Herd Total Performance Records program was designed to provide the breeder with several options. Participation in TPR is totally optional. The fee is minimal. And the breeder can still choose whether he wishes to register a calf or not. Breeders not concerned with reporting performance can still register their calves as before.