About BIF

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) was formed on February 1, 1968, to standardize beef cattle performance programs and evaluation methodologies and to create greater awareness, acceptance, and usage of beef cattle performance concepts.  

The purposes of the BIF as expressed in its by-laws are:

Uniformity – To work for establishment of accurate and uniform procedures for measuring, recording and assessing data concerning the performance of beef cattle which may be used by participant organizations.

Development – To assist member organizations and/or their affiliates in developing their individual beef improvement and quality management programs consistent with the needs of their members and the common goals of such generally accepted record keeping programs.

Cooperation – To develop cooperation among all segments of the beef industry in the compilation and utilization of performance records to improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production.

Education – To encourage the Federation’s member organizations to develop educational programs emphasizing the use and interpretation of performance data and quality management programs in improving the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production.

Confidence – To develop the increased confidence of the beef industry in the economic potential available from performance measurement and assessment.

The BIF is comprised of member organizations that include:

Provincial, state, national and international organizations that are actively conducting performance programs in beef cattle.

Organizations and public agencies that are not actively conducting performance programs but have a principal interest in beef cattle.

Individuals who make a contribution to the Federation in the amount of $50 or more in any given year.

The primary publication of the BIF is Guidelines For Uniform Beef Improvement Programs. The Guidelines are published primarily to assist member organizations in the development and operation of performance programs for their members. The objectives of this publication are to outline standard procedures for measuring, recording and using beef cattle performance data and to facilitate greater uniformity in terminology and methodology in the beef industry. BIF shows no preference for, or discrimination against, any breed of cattle or industry organization.

The first edition of Guidelines was published in 1970 and revised in 1972, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2010. Committees established by the BIF Board of Directors develop recommendations based on scientific research results and industry experience. Through the years Guidelines has evolved as new information has become available.

The Guidelines contain standard procedures based on research and industry experience. This publication is a valuable tool for use in designing and conducting beef cattle performance programs. Procedures outlined in this publication are used widely in the beef industry. Member organizations are encouraged to use these standard procedures in all cases where they are appropriate. Use of these standards by an organization makes communication with members of other organizations and other industry segments easier and more accurate. Improving the accuracy of measuring, recording, evaluating and communicating should be the goal of any performance program.

The Guidelines contains recommended procedures. The BIF does not mandate or dictate that any organization follow all or any of these recommendations. There are situations where individual organizations can develop procedures that are more suitable for their members. It is not the intent of the BIF to recommend one standard program for all segments of the industry or to discourage the development of improved procedures when new information .

The BIF holds an Annual Meeting and Research Symposium, bringing together industry professionals, producers and researchers to discuss current issues facing the beef industry. Many of the issues covered lead to new research projects that benefit the beef industry as a whole.

It also holds periodic Genetic Prediction Workshops