Producers revenue from correct choice choices with Angus HeiferSELECT

AS autumn bull gross sales are in full swing, the time is correct for cattle breeders to show their consideration to the genetics of their feminine herd to make sure the precise cows are chosen for becoming a member of.

Neogen Australasia’s genomic gross sales supervisor Hannah Bourke mentioned analysis confirmed it price between $1800 and $2500 to lift a heifer to becoming a member of age, making the query of which to affix and which to cull a serious monetary resolution for a breeding enterprise.

For stud and industrial Angus breeders, answering that query is made simpler with the Angus HeiferSELECT DNA take a look at, a low-cost genomic choice software supported by Neogen that helps inform the number of substitute females with 87.5pc Angus content material or higher.

Developed by Angus Australia with CSIRO, Angus HeiferSELECT has been designed to be used by industrial members of Angus Australia to establish genetically superior females, permitting producers to ramp up genetic progress inside their herds.

“Early entry to correct and goal genomic info means breeders can establish the very best worth substitute females earlier than investing money and time,” Ms Bourke mentioned.

“This info additionally opens up market alternatives – for instance, with an entire image of a herds efficiency traits, producers can capitalise on market costs for substitute females, or market their heifers primarily based on genetic attributes for development or marbling.”

Angus HeiferSELECT gives 4 pillars of knowledge:

• Angus BreedCHECK for figuring out breed composition, specializing in Angus content material
• Genetic predictions for 13 commercially vital traits overlaying maternal, development, feed consumption, carcase, and resilience traits
• Three general values (choice indexes) for cow-calf worth, feedlot-carcase worth, and whole breeding worth, and
• DNA sire verification.

Following a tour of Neogen’s new amenities at Bundamba in November final yr, Angus Australia chief govt officer Scott Wright mentioned the presence of a neighborhood genomic laboratory was a significant factor within the sturdy relationship between the 2 organisations which dates again to the Nineties.

“Neogen is a key companion in Angus Australia’s genetics analysis actions and it has delivered priceless Angus-specific DNA exams within the type of the AngusGS and the HeiferSelect exams,” Mr Wright mentioned.

“Entry to genomic info means breeders could make extra knowledgeable choices, and when mixed with visible assessments, it can lead to speedy enhancements to a herd throughout a spread of traits from calving ease to calves with quicker development charges.”

The brand new Neogen amenities at Bundamba embody custom-built laboratories which gives for native processing of DNA samples for quicker supply of take a look at outcomes.

“With autumn bull gross sales simply across the nook, the Neogen staff is able to course of samples to make sure breeders have the knowledge at hand that they want come sale day,” Ms Bourke mentioned.

The brand new facility additionally gives speedy diagnostic meals security exams for foodborne micro organism, mycotoxins, meals allergens, and hygiene indicators.