Page 149 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2018

The Hereford Year

23 YEARS

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM

NZ HEREFORD • BENCH M A RK AWARDS •
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM• HEREFORD

BENCHMARK AWARDS 2018

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE WITHIN THE HEREFORD
BREED BY IDENTIFYING SUPERIOR AND FUNCTIONAL,
HIGH PERFORMING FEMALES AND THEIR SIRES.

THE BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM 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 THE BEEF INDUSTRY.

THE NZ HEREFORD BENCHMARK PROGRAMME has now The 2018 Benchmark animal qualifying criteria is as follows:
reached its twenty third year This highly regarded programme has BENCHMARK DAMS
been supported since its inception with generous sponsorship 1. First calf before 3 years, one month of age
from Boehringer Ingelheim. The NZ Hereford Association 2. Average calving interval of 391 for first three calves, 382 for first
acknowledges this long standing partnership with Boehringer four calves, 378 for first five calves and 375 for first six calves.
Ingelheim (previously known as Merial Ancare). 3. Maternal value in top 10% of Trans-Tasman Hereford analysis.
New Gold Benchmark status is awarded to Craigmore Ida 4. Calves must be reared by own dam, have a 200 day weight
08075 bred by Craigmore Holdings and sired by Koanui Rocket entered and dam must have a registered calf born no more
0219 and Monymusk Alberta 050019 bred by Monymusk Farms than two years prior to current grouprun cutoff.
and sired by Monymusk Typhoon 03 0041. Monymusk adds 5. Calving Ease direct in top 85% of Trans-Tasman Hereford
another dam to their gold benchmark collection, however she analysis.
will be the first on the gold bench mark list sired by Monymusk 6. In the top 20% of Trans-Tasman Hereford analysis for Export/
Typhoon. Congratulations to David and his team at Craigmore Maternal & Hereford Prime/Maternal Selection Indexes.
holdings for having a dam listed this year in the Gold status along
with so many new dams listed in the Silver benchmark list. SILVER BENCHMARK DAMS
With the use of Benchmark information, commercial 1. First calf before 2 years and 2 months
cattlemen can select proven superior Hereford genetics to 2. Other criteria as for Benchmark Dams
use within their beef breeding operations. The programme
recognises cows that have the ability to produce a live calf GOLD BENCHMARK DAMS
unassisted, on time each year and rear that calf to an average 1. Seven or more calves with calving interval averaging no
or above average weaning weight. This is what makes a more than 373 days
commercial cow herd viable and gives the commercial beef 2. Other criteria as for Benchmark Dams
farmer confidence in registered Hereford breeding programmes.
Profit driven ($ value) Selection Indexes have once again PLATINUM DAMS
been incorporated into the Benchmark qualifying criteria. This The dam of three Benchmark dams. Can be any combination of
criteria must be met before an animal is credited with Benchmark gold, silver or standard.
status. The inclusion of the Export/Maternal and Hereford
Prime/Maternal Selection Indexes (animals must be in the top BENCHMARK SIRES
20% of both Indexes) reinforces the purpose of the Benchmark Sires having produced three or more Benchmark Dams
programme, to identify those superior, high performing cattle.
Through the internet based Hereford animal enquiry facility on BENCHMARK DAM BREEDERS
the NZ Hereford Association website www.herefords.co.nz, beef Breeders of five or more Benchmark Dams
breeders can search online for Benchmark animals, their EBVs,
pedigrees and owner’s contact details. By simply entering the Please note due to the current Benchmark dam EBVs and calving
desired benchmark status as a selection parameter within the records taken from the January EBV group run some young cows
with calves already registered for 2017 will be awarded this year,
enquiry facility, comprehensive information regarding Boehringer while others without 2017 calves registered by January will not be
Ingelheim Hereford Benchmark animals can be found. recognised until next year.
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