Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Wairarapa Midweek
17
2018 WAIRARAPA
BULL
Tips on buying better bulls There’s more to bull selection than looks. When buying a bull, it’s critical you know its genetic merit. After three years of using that bull over your herd, it can make up more than 80 per cent of the genetics in your herd.
SALES
Buying the wrong bull can cost you for many years, in terms of reduction in progeny growth rates or carcass composition. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet when buying a bull. Buying the best bull is determined by what you are trying to achieve in your herd. Do you want to increase weaning weights or eye muscle area or even just get better temperament in your herd? You will know what your objectives are. Once you’ve identified which traits you are selecting for, it’s important to know how heritable those particular traits are. You may find that you select heavily for a trait, but it does not get passed on to progeny as fast as you thought. Also take the time to understand which traits compromise others. You may select for one trait, which has a detrimental effect on another. You can select bulls, based on the traits you are looking for and then narrow down your list, before heading off to the sale. On the day, you can check the physical characteristics of the bulls you identified and their temperament. Having found the perfect bull, good feeding of the progeny will ensure you make the most of their genetic potential.
Central Wairarapa Angus Bull Walk
Everyone is welcome to the Central Wairarapa Angus Bull Walk to be held on Thursday, May 17. You will be able to view a large number of very good quality Angus bulls at:
TAPIRI R & J McLachlan and R & L Thorneycro� between - 9.00-9.30am TE WHANGA R & R Borthwick & J Coffey 9.55-10.25am DANDALOO A & T Thomson 10.40-11.10am
Important questions to ask your bull breeder prior to buying a bull 1 What are the breeding objectives for the herd? 2. Is the breeder recording with a recognised performance recording service provider (e.g. Breedplan, CSU)? 3 Can the breeder provide evidence that the genetic progress is being made in the traits in which you are interested i.e. by showing you a favourable genetic trends table? 4 What is the average genetic merit of the breeders’ herd in relation to the breed average? 5 Can the breeder supply you with percentile band information, enabling you to rank his bulls? 6 Can the breeder supply you with $ indexes (EBVs for Profit) which rank bulls according to their profitability in different production systems? 7 From where does the breeder source the herd sires and what are their EBVs/Indexes? 8 What are the breeders’ main criteria for sire selection? 9 Does the breeder mate yearlings- heifers and/or bulls? 10 What proportion of bulls are sold in relation to the number born? Source: Beef & Lamb New Zealand www.beeflambnz.com
PINEBANK W & A Falloon 11.25-11.55am
GLANWORTH J,L,S & F Fouhy 3.05-3.35pm
LIGHT LUNCH Gladstone Inn 12.05-12.35pm
TOTARANUI D Reynolds & T Jackson 3.45-4.15pm
KAYJAY N,J,R & S Kjestrup 1.10-1.40pm
If intending having lunch at Gladstone Inn: Please phone Joan 06 372 2838 or email centralwaiangus@xtra.co.nz
OREGON K & G Higgins 1.50-2.20pm
WE’VE MADE BULLS MORE ATTRACTIVE. As the country’s leading rural insurer, FMG is making bulls look more appealing on sale day. With 14 days free Premier Bull Cover, they’ll be automatically insured from the fall of the hammer, including their transit to the farm. And you can keep that cover going for the remaining 12 months for just 6.5% of the purchase price, for bulls up to the value of $25,000. So don’t miss this chance to buy bulls covered by FMG. Check out the list of exclusive bull sales where you can get this mighty attractive offer, and find out more details, at fmg.co.nz/bulls Please note this is only a summary of FMG products and services and is subject to our specific product documentation. For full details, refer to the relevant policy wordings at fmg.co.nz
We’re here for the good of the country. FMG0688WMQP_A