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Angus Elite Progeny Test Program - Trangie

This program is conducted in western NSW using the NSW Agriculture breeding herd at Trangie Research Station. This herd of 400 cows is fully recorded and is the only herd in the world to be fully tested for feed efficiency using Net Feed Intake. The fully recorded female herd gives extra accuracy in evaluating potential elite sires.

Bulls selected were nominated by breeders and selected to give a wide cross section of current Angus genetics. The Angus Progeny Test aims to identify high performing Australian bred bulls for domestic and export use.

Summary and Final Report

2002 Calf Drop

The first thirteen bulls used in this program were joined in October, 2001 with calves born from July to September, 2002. Four hundred cows were joined using AI and natural joining. Steer calves were weaned in March 2003 and grown out before feedlot finishing and carcase assessment. Full details on calves including birth, weaning and yearling weights, feedlot performance and feed efficiency, carcase measurements, heifer fertility and structural soundness have now been recorded. The first progeny test data, covering birth weight and calving ease on 380 calves, was included in the Angus Group Breedplan analysis run in December 2002. All calves were DNA tested for paternity before being included in the analysis.

Steers were feedlot finished for 150 days before slaughter in May 2004. Heifers were grown out and joined in October 2003 before calving in July 2004. A selection of the heifers will join the Trangie herd and continued Breedplan information will be collected over their lives.

Full details are available on bulls included in the first joining round, click here.

2003 Calf Drop

Another group of 13 bulls was selected for joining in 2002. As with the 2001 group, bulls were selected on merit using the CAAB $Index to include a range of blood lines and background. Three bulls were used naturally and the other 10 bulls were AI joined. During the drought conditions experienced before and during joining, the cows were fed well by NSW Agriculture staff to make sure they were in suitable condition for joining. These calves were weaned in April 2004 and after feed efficiency testing were slaughtered in May 2005. Angus Australia appreciates the careful record keeping and attention to detail of the Trangie staff.

The joined heifers of this calf group calved in July 2005 and will enter the Trangie herd with female fertility and maternal performance continuing to be recorded.

Full details of the bulls selected in the second joining round can be obtained by clicking here.

2004 Calf Drop

Twelve more exciting bulls were selected in 2003 from across the continent. Bulls from SA, WA, Victoria and NSW included 10 AI bulls and two natural service bulls. Calves were born in 2004, weaned in April 2005 and are currently being grown out before feedlot entry in November. They will be the final slaughter group of steers with slaughter due in May 2006. Records on their calving and growth to weaning have been analysed and included in revised EBVs on the bulls involved.

Full details of the bulls selected in the third joining round can be obtained by clicking here.