Data Collection

At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of data. While data quality is critical, quantity of data collected can sometimes overcome the limitations on data quality that inherently occur in farm and ranch operations. Along with weights and scores for economically relevant traits and their indicator traits, accurate identification of animals, parents, contemporary groups, and other important details (e.g., age) are essential.

Data quality can be impacted by several clearly identified factors. While completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and conformity are all essential, consistency is often the least understood and most overlooked consideration for quality data. Collecting, recording, manipulating and processing data using consistent procedures at both the farm and association levels is essential to maintaining quality data.

Beef cattle identification system

In order to keep all data collected associated with an individual animal an effective beef cattle identification system is essential. [beef_cattle_identification_system Standards have been developed] for identification methods that ensure unique and accurate identification of animals during the transmission and processing of data. Because of the number of animals processed in National Cattle Evaluations programs (NCE) is routinely in the millions, it is not practical to routinely use registration number information for on-farm data collection. Standards for ear tagging and on-farm electronic identification have also been implemented. In addition, recording of animal identification is closely associated with the collection of genomic information.

Whole Herd Reporting

Historically, many beef breed genetic evaluations were based on progeny weaned and/or registered and did not require that data be recorded from females that failed to reproduce or whose progeny were not registered.  By contrast, inventory based Whole Herd Reporting (WHR) requires collection of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd.

Data to be recorded on individual cows

Breeding dates. Record dates of artificial insemination services or of observed natural matings. For pasture matings, record natural service exposure dates (start and end of breeding season).

Pregnancy status. Prior to determining a breeding herd inventory for the coming year, cows should be pregnancy tested by trained personnel.

Calving date. Each calf’s birth date is also its dam’s date of calving. As a trait of the cow, this date may be used to calculate gestation length, days to rebreeding, and calving interval.

Calving difficulty or ease. Record with the following scores:

1 – No difficulty, no assistance 2 – Minor difficulty, some assistance 3 – Major difficulty, usually mechanical assistance 4 – Caesarian section or other surgery 5 – Abnormal presentation

From these data, expected progeny differences for calving ease-direct and calving ease-maternal can be calculated. Scores of 5 should be excluded from such evaluations, because abnormal presentations do not appear to be heritable either as a trait of the calf or of the dam.

Disposal codes: Birth to weaning.

1 – Stillborn/full term 2 – Died at birth - defect 3 – Died at birth - other 4 – Born alive, died before weaning - disease 5 – Born alive, died before weaning - other

Disposal codes: Weaning to two years of age.

10 – Died after weaning – disease 11 – Died after weaning – other 12 – Culled – feet and legs 13 – Culled – performance 14 – Culled – temperament 15 – Sold exposed – open 16 – Sold exposed – pregnant

Disposal codes: Mature cows and bulls.