GENETICS
Breeding programme
Next generation beef programme launched
L
ast year, B+LNZ Genetics launched a future-focused beef programme designed to generate more income for beef producers and the economy while protecting the environment. Building on previous work by B+LNZ Genetics such as the Beef Progeny Test and Trans-Tasman Maternal Cow Project, this programme is the industry’s response to increasing demand for high quality food produced with a lower environmental footprint. B+LNZ Genetics’ general manager Dan Brier says with the right science and tools, farmers will be able to produce great tasting meat with a good environmental story while maintaining and improving
their production efficiencies. “Our meat companies are already moving in this direction, with several introducing quality grading systems and working under the Taste Pure Nature initiative to target the ‘conscious foodie’ consumer.” According to Brier, modelling has shown that through this programme, farmers can increase the beef industry’s income by $460 million while improving the environmental and social outcomes for their farms and communities. AbacusBio consultant Jason Archer will be providing the science lead on the programme while Matias Kinzurik from B+LNZ Genetics will be the overall manager. Anna Boyd is genetics operations specialist-beef and she will be at the coal-
face of the programme, overseeing all the on-farm work and data collection. Anna will also be the contact for stud and commercial beef breeders and will be driving the associated extension work.
Four focus areas The programme incorporates four areas of work which start with the development of NZ specific breeding objectives. Dan says these will be focused on this country’s pasture-based system where cows play a dual role of supporting sheep production while producing a high-quality product. A data measurement and collection system will be developed to collect phenotypic and genotypic data. A new
WE COVER ALL ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTION On Centre and on farm semen collection Bull fertility evaluations and fresh collections for AI AI and ET services Import/Export of semen/embryos Pre-export isolation
Galloways are well known for their hardiness, great converters, easy calving with low weight calves and naturally polled.
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CONTACT US: 06 376 4955 office@tararuabreedingcentre.co.nz www.tararuabreedingcentre.co.nz Cattle, sheep and goat reproductive specialists Tararua Breeding Centre Part of Totally Vets Ltd
Country-Wide Beef
May 2021