A comparison between Phase C and Phase D growth tests

Melville Ferreira and Freek Botes, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council's Animal Production Insititute in Armoedsvlakte, explain why performance testing is important for herd progress.

- Melville Ferreira and Freek Botes

Why should I do performance testing? The answer to this question is simply that you need to measure to know if you are making progress or going backwards. If you do not measure, you cannot know how your animals are performing in terms of their efficiency. Your bull has by far the greatest impact on the genetic progress of your herd; at any one time your breeding bull makes up to 50% of the genetics of your herd. By doing Phase C or D tests, you will be able to determine if you are achieving your breeding objectives, in particular when it comes to how feed efficient your animals are and also their growth traits in terms of daily gain.

Due to a continuous rise in the population that is associated with an increased demand for protein, sustainable beef production is also becoming more important to ensure the demand is met over the long term. Together with the rise in the population, the natural resources are also under pressure and beef producers need to produce the proverbial "more from less".

In South Africa, livestock production contributes substantially to food security. The livestock sector is also a major role player in the conservation of biodiversity through a variety of well-adapted indigenous and nonindigenous breeds, as well as rare game species.

The South African beef industry is challenged by globalisation, increasing volumes and competition, strong industrialisation of the value chain, shortage of skilled staff and pressures to meet changing customer needs.