The benefits of bulls entering the ASBP:
- Involvement in Australia’s largest beef cattle progeny test program including large contemporary groups.
- 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.
- High density DNA profiles will be stored for current use (e.g. sire verifications, genomic predictions) and future research.
- Closer genetic linkage to the ASBP ensures research outcomes, particularly in the genomics area, will have more relevance to your herd.
Each year approximately 40 bulls are selected 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.
Key Steps:
- Step 1 – Nominate bull(s) via the online form by early August.
- Step 2 – Breeders of successful nominations will be contacted (by mid-August), provided with a Bull Owners agreement for signing, Veterinary and Health Declaration form and semen requested.
- Step 3 – Bull owners organise semen (100 straws) to be delivered to Agri-Gene, Wangaratta, VIC in early September. 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, General Manager Genetic Improvement M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au
