Teelwaardes - Hereford

The
Advantage
Hereford
by Russell Clark
A Comparison of SA Cattle breeds with regard to Reproductive Efficiency and Production Potential taking Cow Mass into account using the latest
official ARC data for 2009/2010.
*1 *2 *3 *4 *5 *6 *7 *8 *9 *10 *11 *12 *13 *14 *15 *16
Breed Last ICP Mating Calving Gestation Ave Birth 205 d ADA Middle of Age (days) Mass (kg) Calving Cow Mass Cows/ Kg Weaner per Value Diff/
50000 kg 50000kg weaned 50000kg
Days Date Date Days Mass kg Mass kg kg Calving 01-May 01-May % Wean cow mass cow mass at R18/kg Cow Mass
SA Hereford 395 01-Nov-09 09-Sep-10 282 36,1 212 0,858 24-Oct-10 189 198 92,4 533 94 17 187 R 309 364,69 R 39 170,69
Sussex 413 01-Nov-09 28-Sep-10 283 36,9 228 0,932 12-Nov-10 170 195 88,4 582 86 14 834 R 267 009,84 -R 3 184,17
Beefmaster 411 01-Nov-09 04-Oct-10 291 33,5 230 0,959 18-Nov-10 164 191 88,8 502 100 16 868 R 303 627,10 R 33 433,09
Bonsmara 413 01-Nov-09 06-Oct-10 291 35,6 217 0,885 20-Nov-10 162 179 88,4 508 98 15 566 R 280 190,82 R 9 996,82
SA Angus 429 01-Nov-09 11-Oct-10 280 35,0 230 0,951 25-Nov-10 157 184 85,1 537 93 14 603 R 262 861,41 -R 7 332,60
Charolais 431 01-Nov-09 23-Oct-10 290 40,9 227 0,908 07-Dec-10 145 173 84,7 611 82 11 957 R 215 221,58 -R 54 972,42
SA National Ave 422 01-Nov-09 11-Oct-10 287 34,7 216 0,884 25-Nov-10 157 174 86,5 500 100 15 011 R 270 194,00 R 0,00
Nguni 423 01-Nov-09 16-Oct-10 291 25,7 156 0,636 30-Nov-10 152 122 86,3 364 137 14 497 R 260 954,70 -R 9 239,31
As the various breeds compete for a share of the market it is interesting to see to what
extent the differences reflected in the official data supplied by the ARC in their annual
report impacts on the efficiency with which the different breeds produce and their
potential to give returns. With the cost of land rising steadily it is surely time to look
very carefully at how this valuable resource is utilised and what improvements can
be made. A study of the investment in land and cattle (weaner operation) needed to
run one cow calf unit together with all the followers i.e. cow and calves, replacement
heifers and bulls amounts to a value in excess of R45 000 per cow unit.
one way to reduce this figure would be to reduce the numbers of followers by mating
earlier but this will only make sense if reproduction efficiency is maintained in the
process. This in many parts of the country will require strategic supplementation and
top management in normal years and additional fodder reserves during drought years.
Apart from mating earlier which may not be feasible on many farms it is possible to
make significant improvements in profitability by concentrating on key areas. As can
be seen in the table above these key areas have nothing much to do with farming with a
breed that has loads of milk or growth. In other words it has nothing to do with a breeds
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Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

potential to wean a heavy calf but everything to do with calving earlier and as close
to the start of the calving season as possible. Yes, commercially cross breeding can be
used to improve reproductive efficiency but the key areas of focus stay exactly the same
– if you want to make more out of your beef cattle that is!!
The Herefords have come out on top simply because of their outstanding fertility despite
not being the heaviest British breed which suggests that performance tested Herefords
in South Africa are by no means being pampered to achieve the lowest inter-calving
period of all the breeds mentioned. This accolade for Hereford breeders by no means
suggests that further improvement is not possible but at least it makes us take a fresh
look at what we are trying to achieve and select for in order to make our beef operations
even more efficient. Gestation period is included because while it does vary even
within breeds it still has an impact by getting the calves on the ground sooner and
allows these cows more time to recover. The gestation periods used are not official
figures but are estimated figures from various articles on the subject.
In order to follow the reasoning in the table above it is necessary to look at how each
column has been calculated to reach the final outcome. The columns have been
numerically marked and are explained as follows:
1) Last ICP in Days. This is data from the ARC report indicating the average number of
days since the last calf was born for all cows in the breed which at that stage had
had two calves or more. This figure is influenced by many factors but over many
thousands of records it is a reliable indication of a breeds ability to calve sooner
and therefore earlier in the next breeding season.
2) Column 2 indicates that in this hypothetical example all cows were mated on the
same day in order to make a fair comparison. In practise animals with a higher ICP
would tend to calve later and have even younger calves.
3) Column 3 the start of calving date is achieved by adding the ICP in column 1 to the
date in column 2 and then adjusting for the average gestation period in column 4.
A three month calving season is assumed and for simplicity a further assumption
is made that calf births are spread evenly over the full 3 month period. In practise
herds with a lower ICP calve much earlier.
4) The gain per day is calculated by subtracting the average birth mass in column 5
from the average 205 day mass in column 6 then divided by 205 days to give the
ADA in column 7 which is the average daily gain per day of age.
5) To calculate the age of the calves on 1 May the middle of calving (column 8) is
assumed to be 45 days after the start of calving date (column 2) and the number of
days to 1 May is then the age of the calves (column 9)
6) The formula for calculating the mass of the calves on 1 May is the calf’s age in days
(column 9) multiplied by the ADA in kg (column 7) plus birth mass (column 5).
7) The calving % that can be expected is calculated by dividing 365 days (the
theoretical norm) by the last ICP and multiplying by 100
8) In Column 12 the cow mass at weaning of each breed is recorded. To bring cow
efficiency into the equation the number of cows of each breed per 50000 kg cow live
mass (column 13) is divided by the average cow mass at wean.
9) The kilograms of weaner calf per 50 000 kg cow mass (column 14) is the calf mass
on 1 May (column 10) multiplied by the number of cows per 50 000kg cow mass
(column 13) multiplied by the calving % (column 11).
10) Column 15 is the value weaned which are the kilogrammes of weaner calf per 50
000kg cow mass multiplied by R18/kg weaner mass to express the differences in
monetary terms.
11) Column 16 simply compares the breed’s comparative advantage when the national
average is used as the benchmark.
Sources: National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme – Annual Report –
2009/2010
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 83

Teelwaardes
VRAE & ANTWOORDE
Helena Theron, LNR-Diereproduksie Instituut, Irene
Inleiding
Die meeste ekonomies belangrike eienskappe van
vleisbeeste word beïnvloed deur beide die omgewing en
die dier se genetika. Deur diere in dieselfde omgewing
(kontemporêre groep) te vergelyk, en ook stambome
in ag te neem, is dit moontlik om diere se genetika
in die vorm van teelwaardes te bepaal. Alle diere se
teelwaardes word nie op ewe veel inligting bepaal is
nie - byvoorbeeld die teelwaardes van ’n KI-bul met
500 nageslag word op baie meer inligting bereken as ’n
pasgebore kalfie s’n. Hier volg ’n paar interessante vrae
wat telers aan ons gestel het. Dit gee ook insae in die
werking van BLUP.
Hoe word teelwaardes geaffekteer as kalwers nie
presies ewe oud is wanneer hulle geweeg word nie?
Die beginsel van teelwaarde beraming berus eenvoudig
gestel daarop dat as ‘n groepie kalfies aan presies
dieselfde omgewingstoestande blootgestel was, kan
verskille wat voorkom, toegeskryf word aan genetiese
verskille tussen diere. Die speengewigte van ’n groep
kalwers is egter nie direk met mekaar vergelykbaar nie
- bulkalwers weeg bv. gewoonlik meer as verskalwers,
sommige kalwers is ouer as ander, en die eerste kalf
van ’n koei weeg ook gewoonlik minder as haar later
kalwers. om dus die ‘rou’ speengewigte van ’n groep
kalwers met mekaar te vergelyk, sal nie regverdig wees
nie. Die speengewigte word dus wetenskaplik aangepas
vir bogenoemde effekte. Die gekorrigeerde afwyking
vanaf sy groepgemiddeld is die waarde wat grootliks
elke kalfie se teelwaarde sal bepaal. Vir teelwaarde
beraming word alle moontlike familielede se prestasie
ook in ag geneem. om die vraag te antwoord, is dit dus
verkieslik dat die kalwers almal op dieselfde dag geweeg
word, omdat die omgewingseffek dan dieselfde is op
al die kalwers. omdat die kalwers se geboortedatums
bekend is, kan die nodige ouderdomsaanpassings
gedoen word.
Hoekom verander teelwaardes?
Teelwaardes word beraam op grond van beskikbare
inligting betreffende prestasie van die dier en sy
verwantes. Soos wat meer inligting bykom (bv.
nageslag wat gemeet word), kan ‘n dier se teelwaarde
verander omdat dit meer akkuraat word. ‘n Jong dier,
of ‘n dier waarvan die teelwaarde slegs op grond van
stamboominligting beraam is, se teelwaardes het ‘n
groter waarskynlikheid om te verander tussen BLUP
analises. Teelwaardes van diere met baie metings op
verwantes, se teelwaardes bly egter oor die algemeen
stabiel. Dit is onmoontlik dat ’n dier se teelwaardes
presies identies bly vir al sy eienskappe tussen analises.
Teelwaardes skuif altyd effens, hoofsaaklik weens die
feit dat die data meer word (meer diere in die ras word
gebore en gemeet). Met elke BLUP analise word daar
meer diere bygelas en die ou diere word nie uitgegooi
nie. Met ’n ouer bul word daar dikwels ook kleinkinders
en agterkleinkinders gemeet, wat ook ‘n bydrae tot sy
teelwaarde maak.
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 85

omdat teelwaardes NooIT presies dieselfde is tussen
twee analises nie, is die vraag eintlik: wanneer is ’n
teelwaarde essensieël dieselfde en wanneer verskil dit?
As mens die nageslag van twee bulle met speendirek
teelwaardes van bv. +8 en +9 met mekaar sou
vergelyk, sal die verskil in hulle kalwers se speengewigte
baie min wees, en dit kan selfs moontlik kan wees
dat die bul met die +8 teelwaarde, in enkele jare
gemiddeld swaarder kalwers sal gee as die bul met die
+9 teelwaarde. In daardie spesifieke jaar mag hulle
teelwaardes selfs omruil. Essensieël is hierdie twee bulle
se genetiese meriete nie veel verskillend van mekaar
nie. Sou ons egter hierdie twee bulle vergelyk met ‘n
bul met ’n teelwaarde van bv -3kg, sal daar ‘n duidelike
verskil wees in die gemiddeldes van hulle nageslagte
in dieselfde omgewing. Hierdie bul se kalwers sal
gemiddeld heelwat minder weeg as die twee voorbeeld
bulle se kalwers.
Die verandering in teelwaardes moet ook in perspektief
geplaas word: ’n verandering van 2kg in ‘n 18
maande teelwaarde is nie so dramaties nie, omdat
18 maande teelwaardes varieër tussen -7 en +48kg.
Daarenteen sal ’n verandering van 2 kg in ’n geboorte
teelwaarde baie dramaties wees, omdat geboorte direk
teelwaardes varieër tussen -1 en 4kg. (Die verspreiding
van teelwaardes is in die persentiel tabel in die
kuddeprofiel).
Daar kan egter ook wetenskaplik beraam word of ’n
teelwaarde verandering binne perke is of nie, veral
as die teelwaarde reeds ’n hoë akkuraatheid het.
Verandering is wyer vir diere met laer akkuraathede, en
verskil van eienskap tot eienskap.
Kan ’n jong dier se teelwaardes vertrou word?
’n Dier ontvang helfte van sy gene van die een ouer
en die ander helfte van die ander ouer. omdat die
gemiddelde waarde van die gene wat hy van sy ouers
af kry, met die grootste waarskynlikheid gemiddeld sal
wees, kan ons beraam dat ’n jong dier tussen sy ouers
sal wees. As dit egter altyd waar sal wees, is daar geen
manier waarop genetiese vordering moontlik sal wees
nie - jy sal nooit beter kry as wat reeds bestaan nie.
Dit is egter moontlik dat ’n dier toevallig van beide
ouers hulle beste (of swakste) gene kry. Hierdie diere se
teelwaarde beramings sal uit die aard van die saak nie
korrek wees voordat die dier self gemeet word nie, en
sodra hy gemeet word, sal sy teelwaarde baie beter (of
baie swakker) word. Hierdie gevalle is egter nie volop
nie, die grootste waarskynlikheid is nog steeds dat ’n
dier tussen sy ouers sal wees.
om dus ’n jong bul te gebruik, het ’n mate van risiko
daaraan verbonde, veral as hy nie self vir die eienskap
gemeet is nie, of as hy nog nie nageslag het nie. (As een
of beide sy ouers ook nie veel inligting het nie, raak die
risiko natuurlik nog groter). Wees dus bedag daarop
dat ’n jong bul se teelwaardes wel soms heelwat kan
verbeter of verswak, en daar is geen manier waarop
enigiemand dit vooraf kan weet nie. Dit is dus nie wys
om ’n jong bul op groot skaal in jou kudde te gebruik
nie, al is hy belowend.
Lyk ’n dier altyd soos sy teelwaardes aandui?
Teelwaardes word beraam op grond van die prestasie
metings wat deur telers gemeet word. oor die algemeen
kan teelwaardes wel die fisiese eienskappe van die
dier weerspieël – ’n bul teel byvoorbeeld swaar
kalwers, daarom is sy teelwaardes hoog, ens. Telers
en raadgewers met ’n geoefende oog kan ook soms
redelik maklik sien hoe die dier se teelwaardes is, veral
as nageslag betrokke is. Fisiese eienskappe en prestasie
weerspieël egter nié die teelwaardes wanneer die
omgewing gemanipuleer word nie, bv. wanneer geneties
swak diere baie goed gevoer word, of wanneer geneties
sterk diere nie genoeg kos kry om hulle potensiaal te
bereik nie. onthou ook dat teelwaardes ’n aanduiding is
van hoe die dier teel, nie noodwendig hoe hy fisies daar
uitsien nie.
Ras- en kuddegemiddeldes
Ek boer in ’n strawwe omgewing, en die gemiddelde
geboortegewig vir die diere in my kudde vir die afgelope
5 jaar is 30kg, terwyl die rasgemiddelde geboortegewig
36kg is. Volgens my kuddeprofiel is die gemiddelde EBV
van my diere egter hoër as die ras gemiddeld. Kan dit
wees?
Die laer geboortegewigte word veroorsaak deurdat
die kudde in ‘n strawwer omgewing is as wat die ras
gemiddeld ondervind. Geneties is hierdie kudde egter
bo-gemiddeld vir geboorte direk. Sou ‘n ‘gemiddelde’
dier na jou omgewing gebring word, sal die
geboortegewig laer wees as jou diere, terwyl jou diere
die genetiese vermoë het om bogemiddeld in ander
kuddes te presteer.
Seleksie vir aanpassing
Sal ‘n dier met hoë teelwaardes ten opsigte van groei
onder enige omstandighede beter groei as ‘n dier met
laer teelwaardes? of moet ek diere met lae teelwaardes
vir groei selekteer omdat my omgewing straf is?
Die genetika van aanpassing is ’n baie interessante
onderwerp. Gestel ons het ’n ekstensiewe omgewing
en ’n groepie speenkalwers wat moet oorleef in die
winter. Sommige van die kalfies verloor gewig (dit
wil sê weeg minder op jaaroud as op speen), terwyl
daar ander kalfies uit dieselfde groep is wat gewig
optel. Die groepie wat gewig verloor, is nie aangepas
nie - in effek is hulle groei gene ‘afgeskakel’ as ’n
oorlewingsmeganisme. Die groepie wat gewig optel,
is aangepas - hulle kon oorleef, en het nog genoeg
energie oorgehad om te groei ook. Hulle prestasie
sal dan ook so in die BLUP analise ingaan - die swak
aangepaste kalfies sal ondergemiddeld presteer en
die beter aangepaste kalfies sal bogemiddeld presteer.
Daarteenoor groei al die kalfies wat in ’n goeie
omgewing was goed, maar hulle ‘aanpassingsgene’ word
glad nie getoets nie. Dit sal dus nie noodwendig beteken
dat ’n dier wat goed groei onder goeie omstandighede,
ook sal goed groei onder swak omstandighede nie. Dit
is dus ’n goeie voorbeeld van waar seleksiedoelwitte
sal verskil. Die teler onder ekstensiewe omstandighede
behoort diere uit te soek wat aangepas is. Die ideale dier
sal bv. goed aangepas wees en goed groei, maar nie ’n
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Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

grootraam tipe dier wees nie,
omdat onderhoudsbehoeftes
dan te hoog is. op die
ander ekstreem is die
teler onder intensiewe
omstandighede wat kan
selekteer vir maksimum groei
en grootraamdiere (en dus ’n
groter karkas). Daar is dus nie
een bul wat goed sal wees
vir alle omstandighede nie.
Elke teler behoort dus self te
besluit watter tipe dier geskik
is vir sy omstandighede.
Prakties gesproke, sal die
kalfie wat swak groei onder
goeie of swak omstandighede
nooit ’n goeie keuse wees
onder enige omstandighede
nie. Die kalfie wat goed groei
in goeie omstandighede sal
egter nie noodwendig goed
groei in swak omstandighede
nie, omdat hy dalk nie
aangepas is nie. Die teler wat
in ekstreme omstandighede
boer, sal dus wys wees om sy
diere aan te koop uit ander
ekstreme omstandighede,
maar weereens die diere
wat groei ten spyte van swak
omstandighede, omdat dit sal
dui op aanpassing tot die tipe
omgewing.
Ten slotte
Teelwaardes word beraam
uit die metings van diere in
prestasie toetsing. Hoe meer
metings daar is op die dier
en sy verwantes, d.w.s. hoe
meer inligting beskikbaar
is, hoe beter kan die dier se
teelwaardes voorspel word.
Die gebruik van teelwaardes
by die teling van vleisbeeste
het ’n onontbeerlike
hulpmiddel geword.
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 89

AJV
Moorreesburg Augustus 2010
Deur Lizette Vermaak
Hierdie jaar was dit die Wes-Kaap Hereford Klub
se beurt om die Algemene Jaarvergadering van die
genootskap aantebied en het hulle sowaar uitgehaal
en gewys. Die verrigtinge het afgeskop met ‘n
Raadsvergadering te Moorreesburg Gholf Klub waarna
die res van die lede by ons aangesluit het namiddag
vir die Algemene Jaarvergadering. Hier het ons onder
leiding van Jimmy van der Spuy van Adderley Boerdery
sake van belang bespreek en verslag vanaf die raadslede
ontvang rondom hul werksaamhede in 2010. ook is
die nuwe raadslede bekend gemaak en verwelkom.
ons bedank dan ook Trevenen en
Hesphia Barry vir
hul onbaatsugtige
bydrae aan die
Herefords die jare
wat Trevenen op die
raad gedien het. ook
vir hul reuse bydrae
met die opskerping
van die grondwet.
Ure en dae se harde
werk en sweet het
hierin gegaan. ons
sal jul ewig dankbaar
wees daarvoor. PJ
Budler van Bonhaven
Beef Cattle neem dan
nou ook Trevenen se plek in op
die raad. Die volgende raadslede is herverkies:
Dr Carl Scholtz, Bertus Mong en Russell Clark.
Na afloop van die Algemene Jaarvergadering is ons op
die hande gedra by die asemrowende venue Ladolsavita
van Wilinda Hanekom in Moorreesburg.Hier is ons
bederf met die heerlikste ete en is ons lede vereer vir
hul hardewerk met toekennings vir onder andere die
beste TKP, Voeromset vir ‘n Fase C bulgroep,ens. ons
is ook vermaak deur Fanie Veldskoen oftewel Erick
Venter. Voorwaar ‘n musikant wat iets vir almal gebied
het – veral die senior lede het hul gate uit geniet. Na
afloop van al die verrigtinge is daar heerlik gesellig
saam gekuier – met goeie wyn en nog beter geselskap
– ‘n kuier soos net die Kapenaars kan.
Die volgende dag het ons vroegoggend geluister
na Ernst Janovsky hoof ekonoom van Absa, wat vir
ons verduidelik het hoe sake in die ekonomie staan
en wat boere te doen staan om te verseker dat hulle
winsgewend bly. Hierna het ons per bus vertrek na
osdam Privaat Voerkraal – voorwaar ‘n belewenis.
Hier het ons eerstehands ervaar hoe dinge in ‘n
voerkraal gebeur, vandat die diere op die
plaas aankom totdat hulle
geslag word. Dit is ook
hier waar die Kaap se
weer homself gestant
gedoen het aangesien
ons al 4 seisoene in
een dag beleef het. Van
hier het ons vertrek
na die Boesmanland
Plaaskombuis by
Langebaan. Weereens
is ons hier verras
met die hartelikheid
van die Kaap. Die
Boesmanland
Plaaskombuis het
‘n heerlike buffet van
enige kossoort onder die son bedien,
van bredies en seekos tot tradisionele boerekos en
tuisgebakte brood en dit alles terwyl jy kan hoor hoe
breek die branders. Hierdie is voorwaar ‘n plek om te
besoek as u ooit naby Langebaan is.
ons opregte dank aan Philip de Waal en sy klublede
vir al die reëlings en moeite met die Algemene
Jaarvergadering en die verrigtinge wat daarmee
saamgegaan het. Julle het voorwaar ‘n hoë standard
gestel vir die KwaZulu Natal klub wat hierdie jaar aan
die beurt kom.
ons kan met heelwat goeie herinneringe terugdink aan
die Algemene Jaarvergadering te Moorreesburg.
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Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

Telers word vereer
Toekennings:
Kategorie Plek Stoetnaam Eienaar TKP
0-10 kalwings 1ste Klipgat Herefords Madri Blom 367
11 - 30 5de Wilkloof Willie Groenewald 375
5de Sanniesguns Lust Petrus & Carlette van Eeden 375
4de Nagenoeg Gerhard Botha 370
4de Kabul Danie & Johan Kriek 370
3de Hopedale Alan Harvey & Sons 365
3de Riccor Corrie de Vos 365
2de Vicedale Köster Familie 362
2de Kliprivier Albertus van der Merwe 362
1ste Syferpan Lawrence Moorcroft 353
1ste Miquiline Louws Boerdery Trust 353
31 - 60 5de GBH Herefords Howard Long 380
4de PP Mong Trust Bertus Mong 378
3de Griffin Herefords Graham Griffin 373
2de Heelbo Boerdery Charlotte Schuite 370
1ste Rospa Piet Rossouw 369
61 - 90 5de Waldecke Ewald Köhne 394
4de Mooifontein Anneri otto 388
3de Locheim Herefords Willem & Philip de Waal 387
2de KRM Russell & Ed Clark 362
1ste Platdoorn Wessel Wessels 353
91 + 1ste VIP Herefords Johan Scholtz 381
1ste Zuikerkop Dr Carl Scholtz 381
Beste Fase C kudde (VOV):2010
Zuikerkop Herefords
Gem. VoV: 5.10 oor 3 bulle
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 91

The Value of Central (Phase C)
and On-Farm (Phase D)
Performance Tests
Leslie Bergh
ARC-Animal Production Institute, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062 South Africa
Tel. +27 (0) 12 672 9145, Mobile +27 (0) 82 801 2026, E-mail: leslie@arc.agric.za
PHASES OF THE SCHEME
The National Beef Recording
and Improvement Scheme (the
Scheme) of the Agricultural
Research Council (ARC) of South
Africa makes provision for testing
of beef cattle in various phases,
namely:
• Reproduction and Herd
Testing (Phase A): This phase
is the basis of the Scheme
and also by far the most
important phase as it is the
phase where the economically
most important traits in
the production process are
evaluated. These traits include
reproduction (fertility), ease
of calving, pre-wean growth
and cow efficiency. Phase
A is the only phase of the
Scheme which is mandatory to
participate in from the ARC’s
side. However, most breeders’
societies compel their breeders
also to participate in Phase B.
• on-farm post wean testing
(Phase B): In this phase the
post weaning growth-rate of
young heifers, bulls and oxen
is evaluated under normal
farm conditions through their
weights at 12 - and 18 months
of age.
• Central performance
tests (Phase C): In this
phase, bullocks are tested
immediately after weaning
under intensive (feedlot)
conditions at a central testing
station under standarised
conditions.
• on-farm performance tests
(Phase D): In this phase,
bullocks are tested after
weaning on the farm in an
ARC-monitored test.
INTENSIVE OR ON THE VELD?
Although there are still
disagreements about the role of
intensive and extensive post wean
performance tests, most scientists
believe that it is ideal for animals
to be tested under the same
conditions under which they are
to produce offspring. Some people
will now immediately say that the
answer is very simple: Bulls must
be tested under field conditions
because cattle in South Africa
produce on natural pasture. But is
the answer really that simple?
In South Africa almost all
weaners are produced on natural
pasture (veld). In contrast, about
75% of all beef produced in
South Africa comes from feedlots.
This means that most weaners
are grown and rounded off for
marketing in feedlots. When one
also considers that the arrival
weight of calves are approximately
doubled during the feeding
period in a feedlot, it is clear that
feedlots play a huge role in the
provision of high quality beef to
the South African consumer. For
the foreseeable future this situation
is likely to remain the case, as SA
does not have sufficient capacity
to produce enough beef for the
market from natural pasture. The
reason for this is simply that the
national cow herd will have to
be drastically reduced to make
room for the production of young
animals post weaning on the veld.
This will inevitably have the result
that much less weaners will be
produced.
Despite the abovementioned,
there is a growing awareness,
especially among sophisticated
consumers, about the benefits
of veld-produced beef – mainly
because of health and ethical
considerations. It is expected
that this market will continue to
grow in the foreseeable future,
especially if such beef is available
at competitive prices. It is,
however, with the information
now available to us, very unlikely
that this trend would mean a
massive swing away from feedlotproduced
beef to veld-produced
beef. Therefore we can with
reasonable certainty predict that
feedlots will in the future remain
a very important link in the beef
chain. In future, bulls’ daughters
will therefore still be required to
produce and reproduce on natural
veld and their calves, at least until
weaning, also. But after weaning
the same calves should be able to
adapt to feedlot conditions and
grow fast and efficient to the point
of marketing. on this basis, we are
of the opinion that there is a place
for both intensive and on-veld
testing of bullocks post wean.
To further put Phase C
and Phase D intensive tests in
perspective, one should remember
that these phases are only a
small portion of the total testing
of bulls, since they are kept and
tested under extensive conditions
up to weaning and also after the
completion of a Phase C or D
tests. Heifers are kept and tested
under extensive conditions both
pre-wean and post-wean and the
same goes for cows during their
production life. The evaluation of
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Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

adaptability traits under extensive
conditions thus receive enough
attention in the Scheme.
PHASE C TESTS
Test Procedure
As mentioned above, bullocks
in Phase C are tested immediately
after weaning under intensive
(feedlot) conditions at a central
testing station. Phase C1 tests are
conducted at four ARC Phase C
centres (Irene, Vryburg, Glen and
Cedara) and Phase C2 tests at one
of the many private Phase C test
centres, overseen by the ARC.
As no minimum number of bulls
per breed per test is required in
Phase C1 and C2 tests, meaningful
evaluations within a particular
test is not necessarily possible,
especially where there is only one
or a few bulls in a particular test.
In order to overcome this problem,
all Phase C tests are standardised
in terms of nutrition, management,
test length as well as arrival weight
and age of the bulls. This makes it
possible to evaluate bulls across
tests. ADG (Average Daily Gain)
and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio)
indices are therefore calculated on
the cumulative rolling average of
all bulls of that breed which have
been tested over the past 10 years
at that particular Phase C center,
regardless of how many bulls there
was in a particular test.
For all Phase C tests a
standard feed mixture, which was
specifically formulated for Phase
C, is used. All bulls should be
between 151 and 250 days old at
the beginning of the adaptation
period. The bulls should also
be within certain weight limits
determined by breed. The test
lasts 84 days after an adaptation
period of 28 days. Each bull’s feed
intake is individually measured
during the test so that the bull’s
efficiency of feed conversion (kg of
feed needed for one kg in weight
gained) can be calculated.
Unlike Phase C1 and C2
tests where the is no minimum
number of bulls required, at least
10 bull calves of the same breed
which do not vary more than 100
days in age and which fall within
certain weight limits per breed,
are required for Phase C3 tests.
Because a minimum number
of bulls per breed per test are
required, meaningful evaluations
can be done within a particular
test and therefore performance
indices are calculated within a
Phase C3 test.
The importance of feed
efficiency
Production efficiency is a
function of inputs and outputs.
In a beef production system
the biological efficiency are
determined by the amount of
nutrients used to produce one
unit (kilogram) of edible beef.
Feed intake and feed conversion
efficiency is thus an important
component of production costs.
In extensive production systems
it is practically impossible and/
or very expensive to measure feed
intake directly. Phase C is the
only phase where feed intake (as
a measure of biological inputs) is
directly measured on individual
animals and feed conversion ratio
(FCR) subsequently evaluated.
The direct measurement of feed
intake and calculation of FCR
is the most accurate method to
estimate breeding values for feed
conversion efficiency. Breeding
values estimated for FCR which
is based only on the correlation
between FCR and other traits, such
as ADG, is inaccurate.
The value of Phase C tests
Besides the purchase price
of calves, feed cost is the biggest
cost in a feedlot. FCR is thus a
very important trait determining
the profitability of a feedlot. By far
the most important value of Phase
C tests is that it is the only phase
in the Scheme where FCR can be
evaluated.
Because Phase C tests are
carried out under standardised
conditions, it is the only stage
where a bull’s actual performance
can be compared to bulls from
different herds of the same breed
and also between different years.
Regarding the breeding value of
animals, BLUP methodology of
course now makes it possible to
determine the genetic merit of
animals across herds and years
without the need to test them
under standardised conditions.
Although all genetic
evaluations in the Scheme is
only within breed context, Phase
C results makes it possible to
compare breeds in respect of the
performance traits evaluated in
Phase C tests.
other benefits of Phase C is
similar to the benefits of Phase D -
see below.
PHASE D TESTS
Different types of Phase D tests
As mentioned before, calves
can be finished after weaning
for the market under different
production systems and breeding
objectives may vary accordingly.
Therefore, the Scheme makes
provision in Phase D tests for the
testing of bullocks according to
the producer’s choice, namely
under intensive-(feedlot), semiintensive
(e.g. on planted pasture)
or extensive (natural pasture)
conditions. The ARC is thus
not prescriptive regarding the
system under which these tests
should be performed in order
to accommodate for the needs,
circumstances and goals which
may vary from breeder to breeder.
For a Phase D test at least
10 bull calves of the same breed
which do not vary more than
100 days in age, are required. In
order to limit pre-test effects to the
minimum, it is preferable to start
a Phase D test as soon as possible
after the bulls are weaned, i.e.
about 7-8 months of age.
To evaluate post wean growth
rate accurately, it is important
that a certain growth rate (ADG)
and total weight gain is achieved.
Intensive tests last, depending on
the feeding level and subsequent
growth rate, 84 to 112 days after
an adaptation period of at least 21
days. Semi-intensive tests usually
last 112 to 140 days. The main
benefit of intensive tests is that
the bulls’ adaptability, growth
ability and, indirectly, efficiency
of growth under feedlot conditions
are evaluated.
With extensive tests, the tests
usually only start at the beginning
of the next rainy season after the
calves were weaned and the bull
calves are about 12 months old.
The maximum age at which a
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 93

ull can start a Phase D test, is
425 days (14 months). Extensive
tests can run up to a maximum
period of 270 days (nine months).
Usually these tests are done
during the summer growing
season of the veld, when the bulls
are in a growth phase. The main
advantage of veld tests, except
for the fact that this could be
cheaper than intensive tests, is that
the adaptability (including tick
resistance) and growth potential
of bulls are evaluated under veld
conditions. The main potential
drawback of veld tests is that the
growth rate is largely determined
by rainfall and that it can be erratic
and very low. As a minimum
growth rate (see below) is required,
this could mean that there is
always a risk that a test may be
canceled if the growth rate is not
adequate, especially if feeding is
not an option to sustain a certain
growth rate.
Phase D tests with bulls of the
same owner is called Phase D1
tests. Where two or more owners’
bulls are tested together it is called
a Phase D2 test. The requirements,
including the maximum
permissible weight variation
between the bulls, for Phase D2
are stricter than for Phase D1 tests.
It is important to take note
that veld bull tests done under
the auspices of Veld Bull SA only
qualify as an official Phase D test
of the ARC if the club applied for
the test to be done as an official
Phase D test and provided that
the test and all animals in the test
adhere to the applicable Phase
D requirements. The test should
also be ended and validated by
an ARC officer. Please note that
only official Phase D test data
is recorded and processed on
the INTERGIS and printed in the
official INTERGIS/Stud Book sale
catalogs. This means that data only
processed by Veld Bull SA (in other
words not as an official Phase D
test recognised by the ARC), has
no official status.
The value of Phase D tests
Phase D testing offers many
advantages over Phase B testing.
Although Phase D is essentially a
growth test, it offers the breeder
the opportunity to evaluate many
more traits. This data is then
available to both the breeder and
bull buyers.
• All Phase D tests are planned
and executed under the
supervision of a technician
approved by the ARC
Animal Production Institute,
which verify that the test is
performed according to the
stipulated guidelines and rules
applicable to Phase D tests of
the Scheme.
• The ARC technician is
personally present at the
end of the test to weigh
the bulls and record other
measurements. This ensures
inter alia that the test and
all relevant traits evaluated,
meet the scientific principles
of performance testing. In
addition to this, the validation
of the test by an independent
institution gives additional
credibility to the results of
Phase D tests.
• A minimum of 10 bulls per
test is required to ensure that
a meaningful evaluation is
possible. Most breeders use
breeding seasons and all the
bull calves that are weaned
(except perhaps the very
weakest) are usually tested
together. This ensures that
contemporary groups are
usually much larger than
the minimum of 10 bullocks
which, of course, ensures a
more meaningful comparison
of the bulls.
• A minimum average growth
rate and minimum total weight
gain is required during the
testing period to ensure that
growth rate can be evaluated
effectively. A minimum ADG
of 500 - 550g per day and a
minimum total weight gain of
110 - 120kg is, for example,
required for medium frame
breeds.
• The bulls in a Phase D test are
weighed regularly during the
test to monitor their growth
rate and for early identification
of potential problems.
• The scrotum circumference of
the bulls is measured at end of
the test by the ARC technician
present. This ensures that
this important fertility trait
are evaluated in all Phase D
tested bulls. Furthermore, the
testicles are also examined
for any abnormalities, such as
hypoplasia, swellings or other
injuries.
• Shoulder height (or hip
height, depending on the
breed) and body length of
the bulls are also measured
by the technician (optional)
at the end of the test.
These measurements give
information on the frame type
of the bull.
• Real Time Ultrasound (RTU)
scanning of the bulls is also
done (optional) at the end
of the test. Subcutaneous
fat thickness, intramuscular
fat deposition (marbling)
and eye muscle area are
the traits that are measured.
These measurements are used
to calculate traits such as
estimated slaughter percentage
and red meat yield. only RTU
measurements of accredited
technicians are accepted, as
these measurements require
specialised technical skills and
equipment.
• Pelvic measurements (pelvic
opening height and width) of
the bulls can also be measured
(optional) at the end of the
test by a veterinarian or other
accredited person. These
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Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

measurements are used to
select bulls that will breed
heifers with a sufficiently
large pelvic opening for easy
calving.
• In extensive (field) Phase D
tests the number of ticks on
each bull (counted in certain
areas on the animal) can
be recorded or scored on a
regular basis during the test.
These tick counts or scores are
processed at the end of the test
in an index indicating which
of the animals are more tick
resistant. With dips which are
becoming more expensive and
ticks becoming more resistant
to dips, this is a trait that
should enjoy more attention.
(By the way, breeders can
do tick counts or scoring
themselves on animals tested
in Phase B).
• The growth test data, body
measurements, etcetera of
bulls tested in Phase C and
D tests are included in the
BLUP analysis that the ARC
provides for the applicable
breed (if, of course, sufficient
data are available) and in this
way these bulls get reliable
breeding values for the traits
evaluated in Phase C and D
tests. This means that both
breeders and bull buyers
have reliable breeding values
at their disposal to use for
selecting their animals.
CONCLUSION
Depending on an individual
breeder or breed’s specific
circumstances, needs and breeding
objectives, Phase C and D growth
tests provide several options for the
testing of bullocks after weaning.
The main benefit of Phase C
and D tests is that it is done under
direct supervision and control
of an independent body, namely
the ARC, and consequently the
performance test data from these
phases are highly regarded in
the industry in terms of accuracy,
reliability and credibility. Phase
C has the added advantage that
FCR, economically speaking a very
important trait, is evaluated.
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal 95

Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal
97

2011 SA Hereford
Nasionale Kampioenskappe
VERTOONVENSTER VAN DIE BESTE HEREFORDS IN SUID-AFRIKA!
Een maal elke drie jaar kry Herefordtelers
die geleentheid om die resultate van hul
fyn beplande teelbeleid aan die res van
die land en mede telers ten toon te stel.
Dit is wanneer die Nasionale Hereford
Kampioenskappe aangebied word en geen
teler kan bekostig om hierdie geleentheid
te mis nie.
Die 2011 SA Hereford Nasionale Kampioenskappe sal
vanaf die 31ste Mei tot die 2de Junie tydens die Royal
Skou in Pietermaritzburg aangebied word. Die laaste
maal dat die Royal Skou die gasheer was vir ’n Hereford
Nasionale Kampioenskap was bykans 25 jaar gelede.
Dit is dus geen wonder dat KZN Hereford Klub lede
baie opgewonde is oor die geleentheid om hul Hereford
kollegas hier in KwaZulu Natal te verwelkom nie!
Die Pietermaritzburg Agricultural Society het reeds in
1851 tot stand gekom en het ook hul eerste skou daardie
jaar gehou! Behalwe tydens die Anglo Boere oorlog
vanaf 1899 – 1902 en die Bambatha Rebellie is die Skou
nog elke jaar gehou.
Dit is as gevolg van die omvang van die skou dat die
Genootskap in 1904 met die goedkeuring van Koning
Edward VII sy “Royal” status verkry het en die eerste
Royal Skou het in 1905 plaasgevind. Alhoewel Suid-
Afrika reeds in 1960 ’n Republiek geword het, het die
“Royal” sy naam en status behou en is die Royal vandag
sekerlik die oudste, maar ook sekerlik een van die
grootste Landbouskoue in Suid-Afrika.
Die 2010 Royal Skou is deur 136 000 mense besoek –
6000 meer as in 2009. Daar was bykans 1000 beeste
op Skou en bykans 500 skape. Die Karkas Kompetisie
is sekerlik die grootste Rooivleis geleentheid op die
Rooivleis Kalender en hier het Herefords hulle oor die
jare deeglik laat geld.
Herefords is nog al die jare ’n integrale deel van die
Royal en alle Hereford Genootskap lede, vriende en
belangstellendes word hartlik uitgenooi om vanjaar die
Nasionale Kampioenskappe tydens die Royal Skou by te
woon.
Die hoogtepunt van die aktiwiteite is die bekendmaking
van die Goue Beker Wenner op Donderdag Aand,
2 Junie. Hierdie Spoggeleentheid wat saamval met ’n
ete is werklik iets om te onthou – en al ons Hereford
vertoners is reeds deur die Royal Skougenootskap
uitgenooi na die geleentheid. Sal dit nie wonderlik wees
as ’n Herefordteler die Goue Beker omhoog kan hou
nie!
Moet dus nie wag nie- kry jou diere gereed, politoer die
halters en maak seker jy is by die Royal!
2008 Vryburg
Nasionale Kampioenskappe
98 Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal

Herefords
wil weer koning kraai in Karkaskompetisie!
Deur George Nefdt
vir die slagos kompetisie en die karkaskompetisie. Die
KZN Herefordtelers glo dat dit belangrik is om nie net
die Skou te ondertseun nie, maar ook die kommersiële
gedeelte soos die slagos en karkaskompetisie!
Herefordtelers word uitgenooi om self of van hul
Bulkopers aan te moedig om aan hierdie kompetisies
deel te neem. Herefords het hulle reeds oor en oor as
die wenras bewys – hier is ‘n geleentheid om te bewys
dat hulle ook die karkaskonings is. Herefords het dit
reeds gedoen kom ons wys hulle weer ‘n keer.
Belangstellendes kan Lizette Vermaak kontak om meer
inligting te kry ten opsigte van inskrywings.
Herefordtelers en Besoekers aan die 2011 Nasionale
Kampioenskappe en Algemene Jaarvergadering gaan
ook die geleentheid kry om die Slagos Kompetisie
en die Karkaskompetisie te beleef as deel van ons
program. ‘n Suiwer Herefordkarkas, vertoon deur
Cedara Landboukollege hou nog immers die rekord vir
die Karkas met die hoogste telling ooit by enige Royal
Skou – dit gaan nie maklik wees om ‘n 99.97% te klop
nie. Hierdie karkas was dan ook die 2009 wenner van
die SAMIC Nasionale Karkaskompetisie!
Die Jaarlikse Karkaskompetisie wat tydens die Royal
Skou aangebied word is sekerlik die mees bekende of
beroemde karkaskompetisie in Suid-Afrika. Dit is nie
net as gevolg van die hoë pryse wat behaal word nie,
maar ook die kwaliteit karkasse wat ingeskryf word.
Herefords het hulle die afgelope paar jaar deeglik in
hierdie kompetisie laat geld! Cedara Landboukollege
is gereelde deelnemers aan hierdie kompetisie
met hulle Hereford inskrywings, maar gedurende
2008 het die KZN Herefordklub egter besluit om
ook Klubinskrywings te doen tydens die 2009
Kompetisie. Die 22 osse wat sou deelneem is deur
Piet Louwrens by verskeie lede gekies en al die osse
vir die Klubinskrywing is deur Ewald Köhne voorberei.
Soos reeds genoem was die wenkarkas hierdie jaar ‘n
inskrywing van Cedara, maar die KZN Herefordklub
se inskrywings was in die derde plek en Hereford en
Herefordkruiskarkasse het 6 uit die top tien karkasse
uitgemaak.
Verlede jaar het daar nog meer Herefords deelgeneem
en vanjaar is die KZN Herefordklub en Cedara en
hopelik nog ander Herefordtelers reeds besig om hulle
diere nie net vir die skou voor te berei nie, maar ook
Hereford Joernaal 2011 Journal
99

Contact Information
University of Florida
North Florida Research and Education Center – Marianna
Marianna, FL, 32446
Tel: 850-394-9124 (ext 106)
Fax: 850-482-9917 • e-mail: gclamb@ufl.edu
website: http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/contact/GCliffLamb.shtml
G. Cliff Lamb
Dr. Cliff Lamb is currently the Assistant
Director and Professor at the University
of Florida, Florida North Research and
Education Center in Marianna, Florida. He
was born in Zimbabwe and went to primary school
in Zimbabwe and South Africa where he matriculated
from Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg. In 1989
he initiated his studies abroad and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree at Middle Tennessee
State University in 1992. He received his Master of
Science (M.S.) degree in 1996 and Doctor of Philosohy
(Ph.D.) in 1998 at Kansas State University. In 1998,
after completing graduate school, Dr Lamb became a
Beef Specialist/Assistant Professor at the University of
Minnesota. He was promoted to Associate Professor in
2003. In 2008, Dr. Lamb moved to the University of
Florida where he was promoted to Professor in 2009.
As Assistant Director of the North Florida Research and
Education Center he oversees one of the largest beef
cattle feed efficiency facilities in the world. In addition,
he is responsible for the management of a 1,500 acre
beef research facility that consists of a 300 head beef
cow/calf herd and crops such as maize, peanuts, and
cotton. Dr. Lamb also has a research program that
focuses on applied reproductive physiology in beef
cattle emphasizing efficient management systems for
replacement heifers and postpartum cows. He is author
of more than 60 refereed journal articles, 2 chapters in
texts, and more than 100 presentations and articles in
other scientific and popular press. He also has received
more than $6 million in grant funding and was recently
awarded the American Society of Animal Science
“Outstanding Early Career Achievement Award”. Over
the years Dr. Lamb has judged numerous local, state,
and national cattle shows throughout the United States,
including the World Beef Expo. He is married to Margo
Lynn Lamb, and they have three children.
For additional information feel free to access his
professional website (http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/contact/
GCliffLamb.shtml)
Kevin
KP Miles
Miles
| 045 943 3034 | Table Hill | Dordrecht
Judges
I
was born in Queenstown and matriculated at
Kingswood College in Grahamstown. I started
farming in the Cathcart area in 1972 with my late
father after attending Cedara Agricultural College
in Natal. We first registered as Hereford breeders
in 1960 under the name Kevlynn Herefords. The herd
was started with the purchase of females from Coert
Erasmus from Tarkastad and a horned bull from the
Syferpan Stud in Queenstown. I currently farm a mixed
farming operation comprising the Hereford Stud, an
Angus Stud, an American Saddle Horse Stud and Dohne
Merino sheep in the Dordrecht area, having moved from
Cathcart in 1984.
I became a senior cattle judge in the early 1980’s and
have since judged numerous shows around the country
including the Hereford and Angus Nationals. I served
on the Hereford Council for 8 years from the mid 1980’s
to early 1990’s. I have toured the United States of
America and Canada on three occasions in the search
for new genetics.
Kevlynn Herefords have never been show orientated but
participated in numerous phase ‘C’ growth tests in the
earlier years. Our animals did well in these tests and
this is proved by the fact that we took five bulls to the
performance test class at the Pretoria Show in 4 years.
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