Explaining the numbers

By measuring and recording performance on our cattle, we are able to 'performance test' them. This is a way for us to measure their heritable differences, and use the results to select animals that we expect will transmit their superior performance to their offspring. Genetically superior individuals are easier to identify when you compare them with animals that are managed similarly (in Herd) vs trying to account for all of the environmental influences and compare between herds (Breed Association EPDS).

There is a wide variation of environmental differences when you compare cattle across various herds. Factors like location, management, health and nutrition all vary so widely that the performance tests on the animals require many different management groups to even become useful. By using the Index system, we are comparing 'apples to apples'. You are looking at the numbers produced all within our herd, and if the animal is ranked within the highest percentiles, it means that against all of it's peers, it has excelled.

The Herdtrax Maternal Index (HMI) is designed to show which cows can consistently wean the fastest growing, oldest calves at weaning. It combines the weights of the calves at their 205 day weights, and the calf's age at weaning. This way the index is favourable to older calves, (promoting fertility and first service conception in the cows) and calves that weigh more.

The Herdtrax Terminal Index (HTI) is designed to show which cows are able to consistently produce calves with desirable carcass traits. It combines the carcass weights vs age of animal, with the ribeye area vs carcass weight, adding in the marbing grade. Using these three main carcass perameters, the index can successfully provide a ranking.

The Cow Production Value (CPV) calculates the total lbs of all progeny a cow has weaned in her life, (according to age) down to a Pounds Produced Per Day of Life basis. This can be used as an economic indicator on your cows; using your costs to keep a cow per day, you can then divide the pounds she produces on an average day by that number, and see exactly what that cow profits in a day, a year, and her life.

The Herdtrax All Purpose Index (HAPI) is the index that meant to compare cows (in herd) based on their ability to be strong maternally and terminally. It combines both the HMI Index and the HTI Index (as explained above) and also accounts for both direct and secondary replacements that are retained in the herd. Then using this number, the cows can be sorted into a bell curve which effieciently displays where all of the cattle in your herd are currently performing. A HAPI of 100.0 is used as standard, falling right on the 50% Percentile. Any cow with a HAPI of less than 100, is currently performing in the bottom half of your herd. We use this system to cull out the bottom end of the HAPI Index, and also to breed the bottom cows terminally. The top end of your bell curve (Those cows with HAPI over 100) Are then ranked into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Elite. The categories are not even; a much larger number of cows will rank bronze than silver, and more silvers than gold, and so on up to Platinum and Elite. For perspective, in our herd of 600 females, we currently are running 33 Gold Cows, 10 Platinum cows, and only 5 Elite Cows.

We have found great value in working with Waylon Wise and CCHMS (Cow Calf Health & Management Solutions). They have designed the indexing system able to be somewhat customized to each operation. For example, an operation that is currently trying to increase their weaning weights might put a higher emphasis on the weaning weight portion of the Index, whereas an operation which is trying to emphasize cows calving in the first cycle might put a higher emphasis on their cows' calving interval. This enables us to focus on certain traits and select for them, to make progress quicker. Some producers will pick carcasses, some will pick maternal traits.