Performance Advocate Program

What is the Performance Advocate Program?

The Performance Advocate Program recognizes Simmental breeders who maintain a commitment to data reporting. This program is designed to recognize members who are dedicated to the data-reporting that fuels ASA’s genetic evaluation in 14 high-priority traits. To qualify for the Performance Advocate Program, the herd must be enrolled in Total Herd Enrollment (THE), which provides complete contemporary group data.

What are the requirements?

A Driven Performance Advocate submits records on at least 10 of the 14 traits for 90% of the contemporary group. 
A Dedicated Performance Advocate submits records on at least 8 of the 14 traits for 90% of the contemporary group. 

The 14 qualifying traits and their data reporting requirements specific to the Performance Advocate Program are:
Calving ease score from 1 to 4 reported for the calving event. Scores 5 to 7 are optional to further describe the calving event. 

Birth weight record collected on calves within 24 hours of birth. 

Udder score collected on cows within 24 hours of calving. Udder scores should be reported as a two-digit number. The first number being the Udder Suspension score (1–9) and the second being the Teat Size score (1–9). An udder score must be taken within the last five years to qualify. 

Birth group genomic test completed on 90% of the birth group. Any genomic test completed through ASA will qualify; however, the 100K genomic panel is recommended. The Calf Crop Genomics (CCG) program is available to reduce costs associated with this requirement. 

Weaning weight collected from 160 to 250 days of age. 

Docility score measured using 1 to 6 scale. Recommended that animals are scored at the time of weaning weight measurement.

Yearling weight collected from 330 to 440 days of age. Yearling data submitted less than 60 days from weaning date will not be accepted. 

Yearling hip height measured from the ground to the hooks as the animal is standing on a flat and even surface. Recommended that animals are measured at the time of yearling weight measurement. 

Ultrasound or carcass records. Ultrasound scan data must be collected by an accredited Ultrasound Guidelines Committee (UGC) technician. Scans are accepted on bulls and heifers between 270 and 500 days of age for %IMF, fat thickness and ribeye area. Harvest carcass records also qualify in this trait category, but members only receive one credit per animal. 

Foot and leg scores submitted using the 1 to 9 scoring rubric for claw shape, hoof angle, and rear leg side view. Animals that have at least one of the three foot and leg traits reported will qualify in this trait category. Scores should be submitted on yearling age animals, and scoring date must be reported. 

Mature cow weight submitted before age six (ideally two years of age) and again at age six. In other words, if a cow is under six and has a mature weight record, she will qualify. If she is six or older, she will need a second weight submitted. There is a one-year grace period: if a dam is six and had a weight taken at five she will still qualify, but she would need a weight submitted before the end of the next calving year.

Mature cow body condition or mature cow hip height collected at the same time as mature weight measurement. Body condition scores (BCS) are reported on a 1 to 9 scale. Hip height is measured from the ground to the hooks. Members that submit records for either mature cow BCS or mature cow hip height will qualify. Members only receive one credit per animal in this category.

Cow herd genomics completed on 90% of the active cows in the herd. Any genomic test completed through ASA will qualify; however, the 100K genomic panel is recommended. The Cow Herd DNA Roundup (CHR) genomics program is available to reduce costs associated with this requirement. 

Feed intake records reported from a feed intake trial using a feed intake system that measures individual intake. Animals should have a proper warm-up period prior to the trial ranging from seven to 21 days. The feed intake test must be a minimum of 42 days and records should be submitted as measure of dry matter intake. Animal weights must accompany the feed intake records. 

Data must be submitted by June 30 for the prior fall and spring calving seasons to be listed as a Performance Advocate in the Late Fall SimTalk magazine. 

How will I be recognized?

Breeders who meet this designation are highlighted in the Late Fall SimTalk and online each year. Performance Advocates may be selected to have their breeding program featured in the Late Fall SimTalk.