HEREFORD BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF URUGUAY

The choice of a country. More than 65% of the national herd is Hereford.

On August 2nd of 1946, the Hereford Breeders Association of Uruguay was founded, being the main objective to promote and improve the breed. Actually more than 500 breeders are associated, working focused on the same objectives: keeping and improving the breed, making the business more profitable.

SERVICES TO MEMBERS

EPDs Program

Since 1962, more than one hundred breeders have integrated the largest and most reliable regional performance database. Since 1993, EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences) have been available for breeders. This program is based on an agreement with the National Research Agriculture Institute (INIA) and the University of Georgia, USA. Actually, EPDs for birth weight, weaning weight, 15 and 18 month weights, maternal milk, scrotal circumference, backfat and ribeye area are available. Actually more than 130 breeders participate in this program.

"Kiyú" Bulls Testing Center

Since 1976, more than two thousand bulls coming from seedstockers all around the country have been evaluated on grazing. During the proof the bulls are evaluated for weight, daily gain, conformation, and EPDs. Other measures taken are pigmentation, temperament, reproductive aptitude. Every year 70 to 90 bulls from more than 40 breeders all around the country are evaluated. Finally the bulls are ranked to be sold based on an index that consider 1/3 testing performance, 1/3 phenotype, 1/3 EPDs.

MH Selection

Since 1949 the Hereford Improvement Program has allowed the pedigree and commercial seed stock breeders monitoring the breed standards accomplishment by their herds. The H fire brand is burned by the Society Inspectors on those animals that achieved the Hereford standards. More than 15 thousand males and females coming from 200 seed stockers are evaluated every year.

Hereford Meat

The Uruguayan beef is tasty and healthy. It is produced by grazing Herefords, with no additives or contaminants, in a natural and environmental friendly process. The high quality of the meat allows Uruguay to export most of the production to many countries all around the world, exporting more than 75% of the total production to more than 50 countries.

Shows and Virtual Cattle Sales

In 1999 the Hereford Breeders Association of Uruguay did the first virtual Sale in the country, and later on many others institutions and companies has followed this experience being actually a successful way to sell male and females.

The association promotes many cattle shows around the country, where breeders can show their animals and exchange experiences with other breeders, technicians and people in the beef cattle business. Nineteen cattle show all around the country take place every year, in which animals are evaluated by phenotype and EPDs.

Institutional Agreements

The association has based its development working together with research institutions, extension services, industry and private companies. This allowed the institution to be an active agent in the country beef cattle sector.

Meetings, Courses and Field days

The association organizes and promotes meetings, seminars, work shops and field days around the country, on breeding and beef farming issues.

Youth Activities

The youth participation in Hereford activities is a priority for the association. The future Hereford breeders need to have the opportunity of exchanging experiences with "old breeders" and at the same time with the new technologies available. The association organizes "Hereford Youth Judging" in shows, seminars and field days, gathering more than 500 teenagers every year.

Hereford Publications

Every year a "Hereford Annual Report" is published, in which the breeders can get information about the breed, the association, and other related issues. In the annual report a Sires Summary with the genealogy and EPDs is published.

The association also publishes technical articles and general information in beef farming magazines and reports.