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.
BENEFITS
This story is from the July 19, 2019 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 19, 2019 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
