Angus, Hereford and Simmental bull breeders are being encouraged to nominate sires for use in an innovative beef programme.
The Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme is seeking bulls for the next mating season on Pāmu’s Kepler farm near Te Anau and Lochinver Station near Taupō.
Dr Jason Archer, genetics specialist at Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) and INZB science lead, said the Beef Progeny Test (BPT) allows breeds to be compared as well as bulls.
“It enables BLNZ genetics to evaluate good bulls on the same level playing field while demonstrating the differences and similarities between the breeds as well as the benefits of hybrid vigour.
“The BPT plays a key role in strengthening New Zealand’s beef industry for the benefit of all farmers.”
Breeders of bulls selected for use in the BPT will be provided with detailed information about the performance of their bull’s progeny including processing data (in the case of steers).
The latest test builds on data gathered from the previous BPT, carried out between 2014-2020 on several large-scale commercial cattle operations throughout the country, Archer said.
Lochinver Station joined the programme as a progeny test host farm last year, and in January this year around 600 Angus cows were artificially inseminated using Angus, Hereford and Simmental bulls.
Becoming a progeny test site for the INZB programme provides benefits for the farm business and the wider industry.
“We’re a progressive farm with a strong focus on beef production and so we are pleased and proud to be a part of something that will help build a stronger beef industry in New Zealand,” said Steve Smith, business manager at Lochinver Station, a 9500ha sheep and cattle farm on the Rangitaiki Plains near Taupō.
“We get provided with data on the growth, fertility and carcase traits. That will help us on farm to identify how we could introduce different breeds of bulls and create hybrid vigour to produce more efficient cattle.”
Lochinver’s inclusion in the programme allowed Simmental genetics to be included in the BPT for the first time. While Simmentals are typically used as a terminal sire in New Zealand, Archer said the breed is commonly used in maternal crossbred cows in other parts of the world.
Bull owners can nominate their bulls through the online nomination form. Nominations close August 25.
