Updated 26 July, 2010

The Merial-Ancare Hereford Benchmark programme has a truly commercial focus; recognising elite Hereford animals that display excellence in fertility and longevity - both profit generating traits of significant importance to all beef breeders.

The Benchmark programme continues into its 15th year, with the generous and ongoing support of Merial-Ancare NZ. This year there is one new Platinum Benchmark dam from the Nithdale herd of Orari Gorge Station. There are six new Gold Benchmark dams recognised from herds belonging to Beanbah, Martin Farming, Flagstaff, Koanui Polled Herefords, Nithdale Herefords and Okawa Herefords. Congratulations to you all on this exceptional achievement.

With the use of Benchmark information, commercial cattlemen can select proven superior Hereford genetics to use within their beef breeding operations. The programme recognises cows that have the ability to produce a live calf unassisted, on time each year and rear that calf to an average or above average weaning weight. This is what makes a commercial cow herd viable and gives the commercial beef farmer confidence in registered Hereford breeding programmes.

In 2010, $ value Selection Indexes have again been incorporated into the Benchmark qualifying criteria. This is criteria which must be met before an animal is credited with Benchmark status. The inclusion of the Export/Maternal and Hereford Prime/ Maternal Selection Indexes (animals must be in the top 20% of both Indexes) reinforces the purpose of the Benchmark programme, to identify those superior, high performing cattle.

Through the internet based Hereford animal enquiry facility on the NZ Hereford Association website, beef breeders can search online for Benchmark animals, their EBV’s, pedigrees and owners contact details.

By entering the desired benchmark status as a selection criteria parameter within the enquiry facility, comprehensive information regarding Merial-Ancare Hereford Benchmark animals can be found.

The 2009 Benchmark animal qualifying criteria is as follows:

Benchmark Dams

1. First calf before 3 years, one month of age
2. Average calving interval of 391 for first three calves, 382 for first
four calves, 378 for first five calves and 375 for first six calves.
3. Maternal value in top 10% of Trans-Tasman Hereford analysis.
4. Calves must be reared by own dam, have a 200 day weight entered
and dam must have a registered calf born no more than two years
prior to current grouprun cutoff.
5. Calving Ease direct in top 85% of Trans-Tasman Hereford analysis.
6. In the top 20% of Trans-Tasman Hereford analysis for Export /
Maternal & Hereford Prime / Maternal Selection Indexes.

Silver Benchmark Dams

1. First calf before 2 years and 2 months
2. Other criteria as for Benchmark Dams

Gold Benchmark Dams

1. Seven or more calves with calving interval averaging no more than
373 days

Other criteria as for Benchmark Dams

Platinum Dams

The dam of three Benchmark dams. Can be any combination of gold, silver or standard.

Benchmark Sires
Sires having produced 3 or more Benchmark Dams

Benchmark Dam Breeders
Breeders of five or more Benchmark Dams