Strengths/Weaknesses Scoring Tool
NCBA-Pfizer’s Cattlemen’s College “Genetics for Cowboys”

Production data is collected in cow-calf enterprises for analysis and in making informed decisions. Enterprises should collect data in the reproduction, production and carcass (product) areas and then benchmark them to determine strengths and weaknesses.  Size up the enterprise using the following scoring tool.  At the bottom list the “Big 3” items that this enterprise needs to concentrate on during the next 2-4 years?
DIRECTIONS
Score each trait mentioned on a scale from 1 through 3.  Score a 1 for traits Below Average, a 2 for traits fitting within the Average Range and 3 for traits Above the Average.  List the herd averages in the gray column for future reference.
			   			   Score		         		Performance Benchmarks
	                                                                                               
Trait	1 =Below Avg.
2 = Avg.
3 = Above Avg.	Herd
Ave.	Below
Average	Average
Range	Above
Average	
Reproduction
   Percent diagnosed pregnant (60-75 day breeding or less)			Less than 87 %	87-93 %	Greater than
93%	
   Calf crop (or weaning) % per cow exposed			Less than 80 %	80-86 %	Greater than
86 %	
   Percent calves born 1st 42 days			Less than
75 %	75-86 %	Greater than
86 %	
   Percent calves born 1st 63 days			Less than 87 %	87-94 %	Greater than 94 %	
   Percent calving difficulty, 1st calf heifers			Greater than
25 %	11-25 %	Less than
10 %	
   Percent calving difficulty, mature cows			Greater than
10 %	5-10 %	Less than
 5 %	
 Production
   Average weaning weight (200-220 days, no creep)			Less than
475 lb.	475-550 lb.	Greater than 550 lb.	
   ADG on retained calves, backgrounded			Less than
1.5 lb.	1.5-2.0 lb.	Greater than 2.0 lb.	
   ADG on retained calves, finished			Less than
2.6 lb.	2.6-3.0 lb.	Greater than 3.0 lb.	
   F/G on retained calves, finished			Greater than
8.0 lb.	7.0-8.0 lb.	Less than 7.0 lb.	
Product (Carcass)
   Percent Low Choice & above			Less than
50 %	50-65 %	Greater than 65 %	
   Percent Select			Greater than
50%	35-50 %	Less than
35 %	
   Percent Defects (Standards, dark cutter, stag, etc.)			Greater than
6 %	2-6 %	Less than
 2 %	
   Percent Yield Grade 1’s & 2’s			Less than
55 %	55-60 %	Greater than 60 %	
   Percent Yield Grade 3’s			Greater than
40 %	30-40 %	Less than
30 %	
   Percent Yield Grade 4’s & 5’s			Greater than
7 %	3-6 %	Less than
3 %	
   Percent Carcasses < 600 lb.			Greater than
10 %	5-10 %	Less than
5 %	
   Percent Carcasses 600-900 lb.			Less than
80 %	80-85 %	Greater than 90 %	
   Percent Carcasses > 900 lb.			Greater than
10 %	5-10 %	Less than
5 %	

What are the “Big 3” items that this herd should concentrate on during the next 2-4 years?

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2. ___________________________________________________
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