At Te Mania Angus, we believe that performance starts long before a bull walks into a sale ring. That’s why for almost 30 years we’ve been ultrasound scanning our herd — a practice that helps us identify high-performance cattle and pass on the benefits to commercial producers who rely on leading Angus breeding programs.
Feedlots and premium beef programs pay more for cattle that deliver consistent results. By investing in bulls with proven carcase traits — such as high marbling and strong growth — you position yourself to be a price maker, not a price taker. Every scan provides us with valuable insights that strengthen the genetic profile of our herd and, in turn, help our clients secure better prices for their progeny and improve the success of their Angus breeding operations.
Each year, all our yearlings are scanned for:
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Eye Muscle Area (EMA) – indicating muscling and yield potential
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Rib & Rump Fat – vital for finishing ability and market suitability
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Intramuscular Fat (IMF%) – a key driver of marbling and eating quality
Ultrasound scanning is completely non-invasive and allows us to assess the carcase merit of every animal while alive. The data is then fed into Breedplan, where it’s analysed to identify the most outstanding performers — insights that are central to modern, profitable Angus breeding.
These high-performance animals are the foundation of the genetics we offer — giving our clients the opportunity to meet premium market specifications and improve profitability.
Alongside scanning, we also take 400-day weights and scrotal circumference measurements of our bulls. By measuring fertility traits at this stage, we increase selection pressure and continue to build a herd that’s highly fertile as well as highly profitable.
At the 400-day production stage, 1,009 bulls were scanned across our Merrang and Brolga properties with Liam Cardile from LRC Livestock Services, alongside our Merrang Farm Manager, Edward Gubbins. Each bull has seven phenotypes recorded and submitted to Breedplan:
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400-day weight
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Hip height
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Scrotal size
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Intramuscular fat (IMF)
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P8 rump fat
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Rib fat
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Eye Muscle Area (EMA)
On top of this, multiple subjective data points are also collected to assist with classing the bulls on type and soundness. Each animal is processed with the data read out and entered directly into Sapien Technology’s KoolCollect software, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
And the work doesn’t stop here — next week we’re heading to Bay of Islands to scan 855 spring heifers, continuing the process that underpins the performance-driven Angus genetics Te Mania is known for.
Te Mania Angus – Focused on Breeding Better Beef
Want to learn more about how our practices can strengthen your Angus breeding program? Connect with us today to explore how our genetics can support your herd’s profitability and long-term success.
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