The Stock Agents Toolkit for pre-game discussion and planning Jake Phillips, Extension Manager
The Stock Agent’s Toolkit has been designed for stock agents across Australia and New Zealand as a clear, simple, and effective place to learn to interpret and understand the evolving amount of information available when considering purchasing registered Angus bulls. Stock Agents play a critical role in the transaction of information and decision making between the seedstock producer and the commercial breeder, with this in mind a series of eight short videos and summarised written content has been developed. The video content supplements the traditional written content by allowing a variety of learning styles to take advantage of the content. The Stock Agents Toolkit includes key components such as: · The role genetics plays in my client’s herd? · Interpreting and understanding the information in Angus sale catalogues · What tools are available to identify the right genetics for my client? · DNA – Parent Verification, Genomics and Genetic Conditions · What do you need to do before starting to look at bulls? · How do I find bulls to suit my client’s needs? · Why is focusing on genetics a worthwhile exercise? · Selecting your next Angus bull
Each of the eight modules were born out of discussion with leading stock agents in the industry, helping to identify the key areas where agents and clients could conduct some pre-game (prior to sire purchasing) discussions and planning to ensure the sires being evaluated met the client’s breeding objective and were going to contribute the most amount of genetic gain in the traits of importance first. Although the Stock Agents toolkit is designed for stock agents, the messages and content also relate to many seedstock and commercial Angus breeders and the benefits of using the content as a discussion point in planning for the upcoming breeding season will be long lasting for the supply chain. If your Stock Agency would like more information on the Stock Agents toolkit please contact Jake Phillips on 0401261217 jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au and visit the Angus Education Centre to review the module https:// www.angusaustralia.com.au/education/
THE STOCK AGENTS TOOLKIT:
What role does genetics play in your clients herd?
The performance of a bull is largely influenced by the genetics and the environment. The way a bull presents on sale day is often a reflection of the environment it has been raised in up until that point. Utilising breeding decision tools will give a more accurate indication of the animals true breeding value, tools such as EBVs should be considered to assist in making informed decisions regarding sire selection.
Angus Sale Catalogues
With more and more information on animals’ and their breeding values becoming available it is important to be able to understand and interpret the information that is presented in a sale catalogue.
Tools Available For Making Genetic Decisions
Estimated Breeding Values are a tool to predict an animal’s true breeding value which is defined as its genetic merit for each trait.
Visit the Angus Education Centre to review the module
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