BREED PROGRAM
Angus Females |
Breed Program and Genetics
Since 1926 Booroomooka angus has had a strong commitment to identify females that have the traits to increase profitability. These cattle are multiplied, resulting in a superior herd with depth of breeding and consistency.
To make progress we must continue to produce structurally sound fertile cattle. Without this there is no point in giving credit to ‘cattle with great numbers’. Our breeding decisions are based on structurally sound fertile cattle that have the genetic potential to increase profitability.
Below are some of the genetic changes Booroomooka has made in comparison with the genetic changes in performance recorded angus cattle in Australia.
MATERNAL
Since 1926 Booroomooka angus has had a strong commitment to identify females that have the traits to increase profitability. These cattle are multiplied, resulting in a superior herd with depth of breeding and consistency.
MILK
Differences in calf growth are influenced by a combination of the genetic potential for growth and the genetic differences in maternal ability of their dams. The differences in maternal ability can be attributed to variation in milk production of the dams. The the optimum level of milk production potential in beef cows is dependent upon the environment . However in some production systems (eg: weaner production) with good nutritional availability, low milking ability cows will be costly to your beef production system.
FERTILITY
Increased scrotal circumference at 400 days of age is associated with increased semen production in bulls, and earlier age at puberty of bull and heifer progeny. Bulls with larger scrotal size ebvs tend to have daughters with shorter days to calving interval.
CALVING EASE
Increased calving ease reduces labour costs and improves subsequent re-breeding performance of heifers.
To select for calving ease we weigh every herd book registered calf and report to breedplan if there is any calving difficulty . Birth weight ebv’s are used in selection decisions.
BIRTH WEIGHT
Lower birth weight ebv’s are favored for calving ease however they are often associated with lower growth potential.
By weighing all calves at birth, 200 days and 400 days we are finding angus genetics with moderate birth weight and above average growth. The only way we can find animals that “bend the growth curve” is by collecting accurate birth weight data from large numbers of calves in valid contemporary groups.
GOOD GROWTH
In most situations an optimum growth point will be reached where less emphasis should be placed on further increases in growth. Growth should be optimised not maximised as it is a cost trait. However in general, low growth will mean lower profitability.
HIGH MARBLING
Marbling, is no passing fad. Marbling is the major contributor to increasing eating satisfaction. Increased satisfaction will the increase demand for beef. Research by AGBU, MRC, CRC has shown that IMF% and actual marble score are reasonably correlated and selection on IMF% will improve marbling. To improve accuracy, the IMF% EBV calculated at Breedplan also includes abattoir data, overseas EPD data as well as ultrasound.
EMA
Increase in eye muscle area has a positive relationship with retail beef yield. The challenge is to identify cattle that increase eye muscle area without reducing quality
Net Feed Intake (NFI): refers to the variation in feed intake which remains after the requirements for maintenance and growth are accounted for. Because an efficient animal is one which eats less feed compared to it’s body size and growth rate, efficient animals have a negative NFI while inefficient animals have a positive NFI. Booroomoka Angus Stud test for NFI through progeny testing and IGF-1.