Knox and Sarah Jane Paton from “Ardonachie” at Macarthur focus on the “commercially relevant” traits to continue to improve their Angus cattle.
The Patons have been Te Mania Angus clients for eight years and now run 600 Angus breeders on their 1300ha property.
They aim to turn off half their steer weaners at 330-350kg and the rest at 400-450kg. Last year their Te Mania-blood steers averaged $1237 a head, sold through saleyards and on AuctionsPlus.
Mr Paton said they use Te Mania bulls due to the “depth and transparency of information on the commercially relevant traits”.
When buying bulls Mr Paton uses Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to help make his decision and said he wants a medium birth weight, high 400-day and 600-day weight, intramuscular fat and eye muscle area, as well as other performance indicators like rib and rump fat.
The Patons also put a strong emphasis on looking after their female herd, ensuring the heifers average more than 400kg before joining.
Read the full story from the Stock and Land here.
