Page 120 - NZ Hereford Magazine 2023

Informing New Zealand

Beef Programme

Beef Progeny Test calves at Kepler Farm.

Words and photos: B+LNZ Genetics Lochinver in January.
The second cohort of calves
The seven-year Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme were born last spring and
is at full throttle as it enters its halfway mark. measurements carried out at
The programme, which is led by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Kepler Farm at pre-calving/post-winter, calf marking, mating,
Genetics, is well under way to develop a beef genetic pregnancy scanning and weaning. In 2023, the AI-sired heifers
evaluation system that includes traits that are important to from the first cohort will calve to naturally-mated bulls and the
New Zealand’s beef farmers. To determine what these traits steers will be processed for carcass and meat quality data.
will be, the team sought input from an industry advisory The next round of bull nominations for both the Beef
group (IAG) and had AbacusBio conduct an international Progeny Test and the Dairy Beef Progeny Test opens in June
review of traits in beef genetic evaluations and survey beef and breeders are encouraged to nominate their bulls into one
farmers on their trait priorities. or both of these tests.
A total of 720 beef farmers – breeders and finishers –
responded to the survey, and results showed priority traits Commercial farmers included
were fertility, functionality (including feet, udder, docility, Last year, 10 commercial beef farmers were selected to take
temperament), calving ease, feed efficiency, growth and weight part in the INZB programme as a pilot. B+LNZ Genetics will be
traits (including carcass), and body condition score (BCS). looking for another 10 this year.
Of these, feed efficiency/intake, mature cow BCS, fertility The commercial farms are an important part of the
and cow functionality traits align with the traits identified as programme and will contribute to the accuracy of breeding
a priority for further development within the programme by values of stud bulls. Commercial farmers will provide accurate
AbacusBio’s independent trait assessment and the IAG. pedigree recording, assess performance of their stud bulls
These results will help direct what traits will be carried on farm, ensure accurate information for heifer replacement
forward in the INZB programme and will influence the future selection, and have the option to work with their bull breeders to
of New Zealand’s beef industry. make more rapid genetic progress. Farmers will also be able to
benchmark their herd against others involved in the programme.
Second site selected in Beef Progeny Test B+LNZ Genetics works alongside these farmers to develop
Last year, Lochinver Station near Taupo joined Pãmu’s Kepler operational plans for data recording. These plans are farm-
Farm in Southland as hosts of the across-breed Beef Progeny specific and include information such as current recording
Test (BPT), which is a critical part of the INZB programme. practices, whether they would like to use AI as part of the
The addition of Lochinver has enabled Simmental genetics programme, level of interest in DNA sampling and genotyping,
to be included in the test alongside Hereford and Angus what traits they would like to record as part of the programme,
genetics. Kepler Farm will continue focusing on testing and what assistance and/or training is required.
Hereford and Angus genetics. Hereford stud breeders are encouraged to talk to any of
Forty-two bulls were nominated for the 2022/23 breeding their commercial clients they believe would be willing to
programme and 19 were selected – seven Hereford, seven participate in and benefit from inclusion in the programme.
Angus, and five Simmental. Interested commercial farmers need to submit an expression
Artificial insemination took place at Kepler in December and of interest and go through an appropriate selection process.

118 HEREFORD MAGAZINE Year 2023