Total Herd Enrollment (THE)
Getting the most valuable and versatile genetic prediction tools
requires a commitment to capture data.
THE is the gateway to accessing the most advanced systems of data analysis presently available, International Genetic Solutions (IGS). This provides more accurate selection tools that allow for head-to-head comparisons and maximum profitability of your dams — regardless of breed.
Are your cows performing at the level you expect?
Do you know how each of your cows influences the calf crop?
THE can provide the answers you need.
Purpose
Total Herd Enrollment
- THE BENEFITS
- Enrollment and Calf Data Timeline
- Breakdown of THE Payment Options:
- THE FAQs
- Removal Codes
- Non-Compliance Instructions
- Tips and Tricks of the Trade
THE Benefits
- Develop and Improve Female Records — A reproductive record on every cow, every year develops and improves maternal EPD, such as Stayability and Heifer Pregnancy. It also enables an accurate calving interval to be calculated.
- Receive More Informative EPD — Submitting data on the entire cow herd creates complete contemporary groups, which leads to more informative EPD, adjusted measurements, and herd reports. This allows the cream of the crop to really shine. Submitting data for only a portion of the cow herd causes the contemporary group to be biased, ultimately leading to less informative data, ratios, and EPD.
- Contribute to Genetic Improvement — All submitted data, association-wide, is processed through the genetic evaluation weekly, allowing you to make breeding and replacement decisions with the most up-to-date and accurate information available.
- Largest Multi-Breed Genetic Evaluation — All breeds utilize the same EPD base, eliminating the need to recalculate EPD by breed when comparing.
- Reduced-Cost or Free Registration — Registration fees for members enrolled in THE cost less and may even be free depending on the enrollment option.
- Performance Advocate Recognition — Breeders who submit data for 90% of their entire calf crop contemporary group for 8 of the 14 traits qualify as a Dedicated Performance Advocate. Those who submit data for 90% of their calf crop for 10 of the 14 traits qualify as Driven Performance Advocates.. Those who meet this designation are highlighted in the Late Fall SimTalk and online.
- Free Online Data Reporting — THE members can report data 24/7 according to their individual needs. Customizable reports help bring real-world value to the data you’ve collected.
Enrollment and Data Timeline
Breakdown of THE Payment Options:
Option A (TR)
This option fits herds where the majority of the calf crop is registered(>45%) and EPD are utilized in selection decisions.
- Every dam enrolled on inventory for $15.00/dam/year
- Calves born in enrollment year and meeting all registration requirements are registered for FREE
- Performance-based EPD returned on all calves, regardless of whether they are registered or reported
Option B (SR)
This option fits herds where less than 45% of the calf crop is registered and EPD are NOT utilized in selection decisions.
- Every dam enrolled on inventory for FREE
- Age-dependent calf registration fees
- Under 10 months of age = $30.00
- 10 to 15 months of age = $40.00
- Over 15 months of age = $50.00
- Performance-based EPD returned on registered calves only
Option C (LR)
This option fits herds where EPD are utilized in selection decisions, but registration papers are not necessary on the calves. If you start registering more than 5% of the calf crop each year, take a look at Option A: it might suit your operation better.
- Every dam enrolled on inventory for $7.50/dam/year
- Age-dependent calf registration fees
- Under 10 months of age = $30.00
- 10 to 15 months of age = $40.00
- Over 15 months of age = $50.00
- Performance-based EPD returned on all calves, regardless of whether they are registered or reported
Option D (CM)
This option fits herds where commercial producers are interested in receiving EPD on their replacement heifers. Commercial producers must also be willing and able to collect and submit individual data, along with identifying a sire for each calf through parental validation, single sire pasture exposures, or AI records.
- Every dam is enrolled on inventory for a *$500 whole-herd fee/year. If your annual service fee is already paid, the whole-herd fee/year is *$390.00
*If your herd is new to the database, other fees could apply, call to discuss your options
- Age-dependent calf registration fees
- Under 10 months of age = $42.00
- 10 to 15 months of age = $52.00
- Over 15 months of age = $62.00
- Performance-based EPD returned on heifers, regardless if they are registered or reported. There will also be average group EPD reported on the steers. NO EPD will be displayed on bull calves.
Cost Saving Options
It is necessary to evaluate your individual herd goals to select the option that best suits your operation’s needs.
See also: Breakdown of THE payment options
THE Enrollment and Removal Codes
What is Non-Compliance?
Non-compliance occurs when a member falls behind on the Total Herd Enrollment (THE) program requirements. THE requires that each dam in a member’s herd be enrolled and have a calf reported to her each year. If the dam did not calve, you may use a productivity code to explain why she did not calve. To help members stay current with their data, there are two deadlines by which this data must be submitted.
Spring Herds (Calving between January 1 and June 30): February 15 of the following year Fall Herds (Calving between July 1 and December 31): August 15 of the following year If any dam does not have a calf or productivity code by the above deadlines, the account will be considered in “Non-Compliance” and placed on hold. No transactions will be processed until all dams have either had their calf or a productivity code reported to them.