The IBBA Total Herd Reporting (THR) system is designed to improve the collection of performance information and the development of genetic selection tools. Complete reporting of all animals in the contemporary group provides for more accurate and reliable EPD calculations.

Under THR, IBBA Global Members pay a single, annual assessment on each female of 'assessment age'. THR also requires the reporting of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd.

Payment of the annual assessment and properly reported production information for each cow entitles the Global Member to performance measures (adjusted weights, performance ratios, etc.) and Expected Progeny Differences. The IBBA offers no registration or transfer services to Global Members.

1. Fee Structure and Registration Regulations
1. Assessment age is defined as females at least 18 months of age on the appropriate Inventory Date: Spring Herd Inventory Date is March 1; Fall Herd Inventory Date is September 1.
2. Payment of the annual assessment makes that animal 'active' for the following 12 months. EPDs will only be provided on progeny of females that are 'active' during the birth year of the progeny.
3. Cattle of assessment age that are reactivated during the 12 months following the Inventory Date will be charged the full annual assessment.
4. Embryo Transfer (ET) calves born to the same donor dam during the twelve month period are charged equivalent fees. If the annual assessment on the donor dam has been paid, the first calf recorded by the dam’s owner, whether natural or ET, is covered.
5. In the case of a multiple birth (twins, triplets, etc.) no additional assessment beyond the cow's annual assessment will be incurred on the dam.
2. Reporting Requirements
1. During each 12-month period one of the following must be received for each 'active' female on inventory:
• A calf record with all required information, including weaning data or a pre-weaning disposal code for the calf.
• A disposal code for the female indicating that she is dead or has otherwise been culled from 'active' inventory.
• A reason code for the cow's failure to produce a calf (open, embryo transfer program, moved to the next calving season, etc.).
2. Assessment age females will be deactivated and removed from the breeder's inventory unless one of the above items is reported each year. A Reactivation Fee will be required for reinstatement. If a female is removed (either by a breeder designated disposal code, or by the IBBA for failure to meet reporting requirements) from a member's inventory and subsequently reappears in a later year, the Reactivation Fee plus the current year annual assessment will be required to reinstate the cow. Cattle may also be deactivated by the Association if a member's account becomes delinquent. The per head Reactivation Fee will be charged on each deactivated animal that is reactivated.
3. If the calf dies before weaning, the breeder is required to provide the appropriate calf disposal code plus sire information, calf sex, birth date, mating, color, and horn status code.
3. Breeding Herd Inventory and THR Schedule
1. Spring Herd Inventory is defined as females calving January 1st - June 30th. The Spring Herd Inventory Date is March 1 of each year. Fall Herd Inventory is defined as females calving July 1st - December 31st. The Fall Herd Inventory Date is September 1 of each year.
2. At least thirty (30) days prior to each Inventory Date each breeder will be notified of the need to update the inventory.
3. Each breeder will identify by the use of disposal codes those animals to be removed from inventory, and add new animals of breeding age not found on the inventory (e.g., new purchases, leased animals, etc.). These adjustments must be completed online prior to the Inventory Date.
4. IMPORTANT: On the Inventory Date for the appropriate herd, breeders will be invoiced for the THR fee on all animals shown on inventory in that herd. No credit will be issued for animals disposed of after the Inventory Date, and a Reactivation Fee will be required on all previously removed animals that are returned to inventory after the Inventory Date.
5. If assessments are not paid within 60 days of the date of the invoice, no further services will be provided by IBBA until the account is paid in full.
6. A member may have both spring-calving and fall-calving herds. An animal may be moved from one herd to another only once in any 18 month period by designating the move as a Reason Code (moved to Next Calving Season) on the inventory report.
7. Having animals move back and forth between Spring and Fall inventories is a problem for members who calve in winter and/or summer. For herds affected by this problem, the system allows a 45 day window of opportunity for those animals that calve 45 days prior to or 45 days after their respective Spring and Fall inventories. Females calving within these windows will remain in the herd designated by the breeder.

For more information on becoming an IBBA Global Member, contact:
Jeff Diles
Director of IBBA Commercial Programs
jeff_diles@int-brangus.org