Since You Asked

Heather Lange

director of customer service, registrations & DNA

Why are Annual WHR Assessments a Requirement for WHR Breeders?

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are starting to change, there is a chill in the air, and WHR assessments should be on everyone’s to-do list! When November hits, I like to do a little refresher on how to get these done- and if you’re a firsttimer, welcome! Assessments are easy to complete and make registrations and transfers throughout the year a breeze.

Before we get into the how-to, let’s go over the “why”. Assessments are a requirement of any WHR breeder to complete to register a calf in the current year. Assessments are only done on the females in the herd- not the males. Basically, it is a tool to clean up your inventory. Whatever is left active gets paid for, and that payment covers the cost of that female’s calf from the year to be registered and transferred.

There are a few things to remember when assessing: • Virgin heifers are exempt. You only need to pay for a female’s assessment for the year that she will be calving for the first time (and then every year after that, that she remains active). If you have virgin heifers on your list, give them a code 51. • Any females listed in your herd that are not registered Shorthorn (or Shorthorn Plus) are exempt if they are not bred Shorthorn for the year. Examples of these cows would be foundation cows (FN), or any cows that have been enrolled from any other breed. You can give these cows a code 50 to hold them over until next year’s assessment. • Donor cows who are gone, but you still have eggs on. Give these females a code 52, as they are exempt as well. Now, the other side of that coin is if you have a donor that is still around. If she is still active and can have natural calves, leave her as active and pay her assessment. • Partnership cows only need to be paid for once. They will show up in all owners’ assessments until one party pays for her. • Assessed cows receive one free registration of her calf from the same calendar year as long as said calf is registered before it turns one year of age, and one free transfer of said calf as long as the transfer is completed within 60 days from the date of sale.

If 2021 assessment is paid between these dates November 1, 2020 - January 9, 2021 January 10, 2021 - February 28, 2021 March 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

• ET calves will always result in a registration fee, but they are cheaper to register when the recipient dam is assessed. This means you have the option to put any commercial cows in as foundation cows and assess them like you would your Shorthorn females. Resulting ET calves cost $20 to register and also get a free transfer. (Note: these foundation cows can then be marked ‘exempt’ in following years’ assessments, as noted in the first bullet point) If you do not assess the recipient dam, the ET calf will cost $40 to register and $20 to transfer (when registered under 12 months of age, transferred within 60 days from date of sale).

Take a look at the next page for instructions on completing your 2021 WHR Assessments through the Digital Beef site.

As always, please contact the ASA

2021 WHR ASSESSMENT FEE SCHEDULE

office if you have any questions. = Pay this amount per head $16 $20 $25