Performance testing involves more than simply weighing an animal at certain stages; it requires the evaluation of all economically important traits, from conception to marketing. This is according to Thokozani Ndonga, senior research technician at the Agricultural Research Council, Irene.
The National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme of the Agricultural Research Council provides for performance testing of beef cattle in the following phases:
• Reproduction and herd testing (Phase A) This phase forms the basis of performance testing. It evaluates the most economically important traits in the production process, namely fertility, calving ease, maternal ability, pre-weaning growth, and cow efficiency.
• On-farm post-weaning testing (Phase B): In this phase, the post-weaning growth rate of young heifers, bulls and oxen is evaluated under normal conditions by measuring their 12- and 18-month weights.
• Central performance tests (Phase C): Here, young bulls are tested immediately after weaning at a central testing centre under intensive (feedlot) conditions. Individual feed intake is recorded to evaluate feed conversion efficiency.
• On-farm performance tests (Phase D): This is a controlled, on-farm test that evaluates young bulls after weaning. The bulls can be tested, according to the breeder’s choice, either under intensive (feedlot), semiintensive (such as on pasture) or extensive (on veld) conditions.
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