You are invited to a “Day in the Yards” at Tullimba, NSW on June 8th at 11 am. The Te Mania Angus Northern Spring Sale bulls are currently part of a research programme for Net Feed Intake (NFI). The sale bulls will be auctioned in Walgett NSW on August 9th, so it is a great chance to preview them before the sale.
Each bull will also be weighed and assessed for structure on the day, by independent assessor Jim Green of Green’s Livestock Services, Yamba, NSW. It will be an interactive day, with discussions about the relevance of the NFI data and structural assessment and how they can be applied to increase efficiency in beef herds.
Net Feed Intake (NFI) is a measure of feed efficiency in beef cattle, calculated as the amount of feed consumed by an animal after adjusting for each animal’s growth rate and body weight. This research tests genetic variation, which in turn identifies which genetics are more efficient in terms of NFI.
Te Mania Angus endeavours to collect as much NFI information as possible. Despite the high cost of testing, building the genetic selection of NFI into our genetic parameters provides information which enables beef producers to select more efficient and profitable bloodlines.
Structural assessments are a vital part of the breeding program at Te Mania Angus – with every bull independently assessed as a yearling, and every female assessed annually for the first three years of her breeding life, and periodically after that for research purposes.
Use of objective structure assessments, in conjunction with performance recording (EBVs) gives us a greater picture of how that animal will perform.
Issues with structure can affect bull and cow longevity. The Beef Class Structural Assessment System measures claw set, front and rear foot angle, rear legs, and for females – teats and udders as well. Leg and feet structure in particular are highly heritable, therefore identifying structural issues within your animals allows you to improve your herd through assessment and selection. Good cattle structure has a direct impact on producer profitability.
Te Mania Angus collects and records information based on unbiased, factual data, and relates it back to the animal and its genetics. Analysis of this information identifies which pedigrees have desirable structure, and is published in all our sale catalogues.
All welcome. A casual lunch will be provided. For catering purposes please RSVP to [email protected] by June 3rd
11am-2pm, Wednesday, June 8th, 2016
Tullimba is located 40kms south west of Armidale, NSW
