Good genes top good looks
The best looking bull might not be the best animal for commercial farmers and looking at its paper work on breeding values will pay off.
About 15 farmers and stock agents learned the merits of good genetics at a Beef +Lamb New Zealand Genetics workshop at stud farm Ngaputahi Angus, run by northern Manawatu farmers Forbes and Angus Cameron.
Forbes Cameron said their angus stud had a no tolerance policy for animals that failed to cut their standards.
‘‘We look at temperament. If a bull isn’t quiet, we dump him. And if a cow won’t let us near her calf in the few days after it is born, she goes too.’’
He said they could not tell what was under the skin, just by looking at a bull.
‘‘Yes a bull has to be structurally sound. But many people in New Zealand go by the look of a bull. However they should look at what they need in genes, before choosing a bull.’’
The Camerons know a thing or two about providing tender cattle and sheep. They are previous winners and finalists in the Steak of Origin contest, which finds the most tender and tastiest steak in New Zealand and are also winners of the ‘Glammies’, the most tender and tastiest lamb contest.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics North Island extension officer, Max Tweedie said commercial farmers should look at their breeding objectives and buy a bull accordingly.
He said estimated breeding values (EBV) showed traits such as the gestation length, birth weight, growth rates, intramuscular fat and eye muscle area.
Tweedie said there were upwards of 20 traits which bulls were rated on based on what they would pass on to their offspring.
’’Look at the EBVS. They are the measurable traits a bull will pass on. Looking at an animal in the flesh will only tell you one part of the picture.’’
He said EBVS would tell a farmer about the performance of the bull, its siblings and its parents.
‘‘For most farmers it is a combination of EBVS and the animal. They look at both things.’’
A Beef + Lamb New Zealand ’Better Beef Breeding’ resource pack recommended that farmers choose a bull breeder who focused on breeding objectives they wanted for their farm.
Tweedie said farmers might want weight gain, easy calving or added fertility for their herds.
‘‘We recommend you choose a breeder that is going to take you where you want to go. Think about where are they trending and what are they recording. And stick with them to get that genetic gain.’’
‘‘[A beef cow] must get in-calf, raise and wean a calf, get back in calf, maintain her condition and be a good converter of often rough feed, she has to have longevity, quietness, and not be too big [so she would not pug the ground and take more feed for maintenance].’’
Most cows managed to fill this criteria, but there was room for improvement.
Bulls provided most of the genetic gain in a herd because they were put across multiple cows, Tweedie said.
Farmers said the value of a cattle beast was in its loin area, but most people chose bulls to buy that were big in the backside.
Tweedie said some companies had begun paying for meat quality and not just for carcass weight and yield.
‘‘Things like meat and fat colour, eye muscle area, the age of an animal based on bone ossification and marbling. Some already pay a premium based on that. I think it’ll come and all companies will do it.’’
The Camerons brought in 12 rising two-year-old angus bulls for farmers to rate.