Use Breedplan, feedback
From the July 2007 edition of Agriculture Today.
Darren Price, one of 13 producers showcased in NSW DPI’s new cattle breeding project, Better Breeding – Beefing up your Business, believes selection for genetic improvement is critical when targeting the store weaner market with a straight bred Angus herd.
Mr Price manages “Carwoola”, a 1920 hectare property just south of Canberra. “We run 450 spring calving cows on winter rainfall improved country, selling store weaners to backgrounders who themselves sell on feeder steers,” he said.
“Because our steers are backgrounded then finished in the feedlot, we make it our business to seek market feedback on how they perform on grain, a reflection on how our breeding herd is performing.
“Feedback is an absolute. Everything we do today with our breeding herd takes so long to come through. If we change one thing today it might take three or four years before we have the effect through the herd.”
For this reason, Mr Price said the choice of tools he used to select his cattle was critical. “We put a lot of focus on Breedplan,” he said.
“We select for birth weight, 600 day weight, scrotal size, eye muscle area and marbling.
“Within budget we try to pick bulls that are 10 to 15 per cent above breed average – that way we know we are moving ahead.”
As Breedplan does not estimate production for all economic traits, Mr Price knows the importance of judging the bull visually; but he is aware that the way the animal looks is not only a result of genetics but environment and the nutrition it has received.
“We are also conscious of the importance of structure, and are sensible in balancing visual aspects with performance information,” he said.
“We are aware that we give away some extra production by not crossbreeding, so our selection decisions are paramount. Breedplan allows us that accuracy.
“Our objective is to concentrate on a breed and do the best we can with that breed.”
Contact Brian Cumming, Albury, 02 6041 6500.
