Final opportunity to participate in Cohort 10 of the ASBP

Angus bull breeders have until August 5^th to nominate your next super sire for Cohort 10 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, a project that over the last 10 years has built a highly effective reference population of genotypes and phenotypes on contemporary Angus cattle.

This joining program will take place in September to November of 2019.

Nominations will close on Monday August 5^th 2019

To compete step 1 of the nomination process CLICK HERE.

40 Angus bulls are expected to be selected for the 2019 joining team with the aim to join each bull to at least 50 Angus cows by fixed time AI. The bull selection criteria will be based on genetic diversity, breeding values/indexes and their relationship to sires already used in previous Cohorts of the ASBP. Preference will also be given to early nominations.

Benefits of Bulls Entering the ASBP

• Close genetic linkage to the ASBP reference population ensures research outcomes, particularly in the genomics area, will have high relevance to your herd.
• Be involved in cutting edge Angus research in areas such as genomics, eating quality image technology and testing for immune competence.
• High density DNA profiles will be stored for current use (e.g. sire verifications, single-step TACE analysis) and future research.
• Receive high accuracy EBVs, particularly for hard to measure traits such as net feed intake, abattoir carcase data and female reproduction.
• Receive progeny average values and sire ranking from within the ASBP, including traits such as MSA Index and MSA Marble Score.

Involvement in Australia’s largest beef cattle progeny test program including large contemporary groups.

Key Steps

• Step 1 – Nominate bull(s) via the online form before Monday August 5^th, 2019. To nominate please CLICK HERE. Preference will be given to early nominations.
• Step 2 – Breeders of successful nominations will be contacted (by mid-August 2019), provided with a Bull Owners agreement for signing, Veterinary and Health Declaration form and semen requested.
• Step 3 – Bull owners organise semen (120 straws) to be delivered to Agri-Gene, Wangaratta, VIC before September 6^th, 2019. All semen will undergo independent quality checks at this stage.

 Other considerations:

Bulls entering the program must be:

• Genetic Condition free (AM, NH, CA and DD).
• BVDV (aka Pestivirus) free by diagnostic test.
• Campylobacter (aka Vibriosis) and Leptospirosis free through vaccination (i.e. double vaccination plus annual booster), or laboratory diagnostic test via EMAI.

Entry Fee

All bulls that enter the ASBP joining program will attract an entry fee of $2500 (plus GST) for Australian Bred Bulls and $4000 (plus GST) for overseas bred bulls.

Contact

If you have any questions in relation to the nomination process or the ASBP in general please contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au