Total Performance Reporting
The American Murray Grey Association (AMGA) recognizes the importance of performance records in today’s beef industry. By utilizing Total Performance Reporting Murray Grey 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. AMGA has chosen to offer 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 annually and reports on every calf in the herd. (Breeders can opt to report on only individual cows, but that skews their numbers and does not provide the full measure of value.)
With this system, the AMGA can 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 Murray Grey EPDs.
Participation
Participation in Whole Herd TPR is voluntary and is offered by AMGA as a benefit of membership. 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 AMGA.
Performance registry breeders should 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. EPDs will only be reported on registered animals.
The TPR Annual Cycle –
November – December – Every AMGA member receives a Dam Inventory and Breeding Worksheet. All members are asked to make corrections to their inventory and return it. Participating TPR breeders add the breeding information and submit the completed form.
(For breeders who calve in the fall (August 1 – December 31), AMGA suggests copying the Dam Inventory and submitting breeding information on spring calving cows (January 1 – June 30) and submit breeding information on the fall calving herd after pregnancy check. TPR breeders will receive a Birth Worksheet & Registration Application with their cows and their breeding information on the form.
After Spring Calving – Complete the calving information and return to AMGA. AMGA enters the calf data and a Weaning Worksheet is generated.
Submit Previous Year’s Yearling Weights – TPR breeders submit yearling data.
After Weaning – TPR members submit weaning weights and are sent the Yearling Worksheet
Call AMGA for more information on Total Performance Reporting. |
