The early 1930’s marked the beginning of research which led to the use of objective measurements for evaluating beef cattle. Within a few years, this work led to the determination that there were a number of economically important traits which could be measured objectively. Most of these traits were shown to be sufficiently high in heritability to provide a sound basis for selection. Thus, the foundation for performance testing had been laid.

Performance testing and selection based on comparative records has undergone thorough evaluation by researchers, organizations, and producers and has proven to be useful and important in improving economics in beef production. The result has been a steady increase in the use of objective measurements as a basis for beef cattle improvement. The economic value of performance selection now has broad acceptance within the beef cattle industry.

As an indication of the emphasis being placed on performance testing and evaluation in the United States, some 60 organizations, both state and national, now provide beef cattle improvement programs for both seedstock and commercial producers. On February 1, 1968, these and other organizations formed the Beef Improvement Federation (HIF) as a cooperative means to standardize programs and methodology and to improve and extend the use of performance testing.

The purposes of the BIF are:

1.   Uniformity. To work for establishment of accurate and uniform procedures for measuring and recording data, which may be used by participating organizations, concerning the performance of beef cattle.

2.   Development. To assist member organizations and/or their affiliates in developing their individual programs consistent with the needs of their members and the common goal of their recordkeeping programs.

3.   Cooperation. To develop cooperation among all segments of the beef industry in compilation and utilization of performance records to improve efficiency in the production of beef.

4.   Education. To encourage members to develop educational programs emphasizing the use and interpretation of performance data in improving the efficiency of beef production.

5.   Confidence. To develop increased confidence of the beef industry in the economic potential of performance testing.

Member organizations include:

• State Beef Cattle Improvement Associations or similar organizations sponsoring state beef cattle improvement programs in 30 or more States in the United States.

• National breed registry associations for 15 or more breeds of cattle in the U.S. and Canada. These major associations record performance as well as genealogy and most are involved in national sire evaluation programs for their respective breeds.

• Other national organizations with direct involvement with beef improvement such as National Cattlemen’s Association, National Association of Animal Breeders, and artificial insemination and embryo transfer organizations.

Associate memberships are available to organizations, firms, public agencies, or individuals interested in beef cattle performance programs.

Ex-officio member organizations are Agriculture Canada and the Extension Service and the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This publication has been developed from reports of committees established by the BIF board of directors and is published primarily for use by member organizations in operating performance programs for their members. The purpose is to extend the usefulness of beef cattle performance testing.

The guidelines in this publication are a revision of the Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs first recommended by BIF in 1970 and revised in 1972, 1976, 1981 and 1986. These guidelines originated from the 1965 report of the former U.S. Beef Records Committee. Like the previous guidelines, this publication is the result of a cooperative effort of Extension, research, and industry. The guidelines in this publication will be reviewed periodically and updated as indicated by research, experience, and industry economies. They are printed in sections which will allow updating of any section without necessarily updating and printing the entire publication.

The BIF intends to show no preference for or discrimination against any individual breed of cattle or organization.