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Nominations of bulls for 2006 YSP

Preparations are underway for the second round of the Young Sire Program following a successful first year of operation. Although the program remains essentially the same a few refinements will be implemented as a result of our 2005 experiences.

One important change involves a broadening of the base from which the bulls are drawn to include bulls from the 2003 drop as well as the 2004 drop. We have made this decision, in part, because many spring born bulls are not scanned by December when we need to make our selections. We are also asking bull owners to nominate bulls they consider worthy of consideration.

Thus if you have a bull, either a “Y” or “Z”, you consider to be a worthy candidate for the Young Sire Program and are interested  in putting him forward for further consideration please nominate him by contacting  Bob Guest. 

While the bull will need to be of high genetic merit (say in top 10 or 20% of the B3 or Supermarket $index) other factors, such as an outcross pedigree, structural soundness, muscle expression, sire appeal etc. will be considered during the selection process.

We will still undertake a database search to identify ‘Z’ bulls that appear to have the most potential and will be advising breeders accordingly. Whilst this selection will be based on genetic merit, as measured by Breed Object $indexes calculated from the June 2005 Breedplan analysis, we are also concerned with the need to maintain a diversity of bloodlines.

In order to make the short list the bulls will need to be scanned along with their contemporaries in time for the data to be analysed in the December Breedplan run.

The bulls finally selected will get plenty of exposure and will initially be mated to at least 150 cows and hence will also need to be of a type that appeals to many “astute judges”. 

The YSP management committee will review the short list in December, after the Breedplan analysis, to decide on the bulls to be inspected. It is anticipated that Bob Dent, accompanied by a stud or commercial breeder from your state, will conduct these inspections in early January.

Could you please give consideration to putting a bull or bulls forward (with preferences noted eg. Breeder pick 1, 2, 3) for the 2006 YSP, and advising Bob Guest of your decision by 1^st November?

You are reminded that to enter a bull in the YSP you will be required to pay $1000 bull participation fee and supply 250 straws of licensed semen to AA. You will also be required to arrange for, and meet the cost of, semen collection and be ready to send your bull to a licensed centre in January 2006. DNA parent verification and red gene testing will also need to be conducted at your expense prior to any semen collection. 

NB. The 2005 round of the Young Sire Program resulted in semen being collected from 7 bulls and around 1500 females inseminated. We will need 12 or 13 bulls in 2006 to meet the needs of the 45 herds currently interested in the program.

Further details on the Young Sire Program, including a list of participating test herds, can be found on the Angus Australia website at www.angusaustralia.com.au/BA_YSP.htm

Please direct your replies to Bob Guest, by email bob.guest@bigpond.com or phone or fax  02 49450989