Genetics

Beef Central’s exclusive national bull sales summaries

Search our lists below to see bull sales coming up around Australia, and to get the results of recently completed stud and herd bull sales around the country.

The information is a valuable resource to help bull buyers make decisions about upcoming purchases and to stay abreast of latest bull price levels.

Both lists are fully searchable by breed, time-frame, region and specific stud prefix.

Australia’s highest selling bulls and females – click here to find out the record prices paid for each breed

Weekly genetics review: Do we need to rethink frame scores?

This week’s genetics review looks at the value of frame scores, which were developed in the 1970s. The thinking from the US and potentially looking at our own data is that frame scores are no longer accurate predictors for modern cattle, and that people who rely on them may not be achieving the right outcome. Does industry need to revisit this concept?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 19/03/2024

New Angus research breeding values focus on shear force, MSA marbling

Two new Research Breeding Values (RBVs) are available for Angus cattle evaluation, both for eating quality traits – MSA Marbling Score and Shear Force tenderness measurement…Read More

Beef Central, 19/03/2024

Weekly genetics review: Are there alternatives to predicting birth weight in extensive production systems?

Collecting data, particularly around birth weights, has challenged many producers – especially in more extensively managed herds, where these challenges are magnified by distance, time, and the scale of operation. But are there alternatives to traditional birthweight collection?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 12/03/2024

NCC Brahman stud herd changes hands in major pre-auction dispersal deal

In one of the largest seedstock herd transactions in recent history, prominent Central Queensland Brahman bull breeder Brett Nobbs has sold his NCC Grey Brahman herd to Proserpine region commercial and stud Brahman breeders, Ray and Leah Vella…Read More

Beef Central, 12/03/2024

Weekly genetics review: What does your calving pattern tell you?

This weeks column focusses on knowing your calving distribution and the insights it offers for strategic and tactical herd planning. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 05/03/2024

Weekly genetics review: Where are we heading with structural soundness?

In the three years he has been writing his weekly column for Beef Central, structural soundness is the subject of most of the feedback received by genetics editor Al Rayner, as well as the most suggested subject for columns. “In general, the trend of the feedback and discussions I’ve had with beef producers and bull breeders reflects a feeling that structure is actually becoming worse in a number of breeds,” he writes this week. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 27/02/2024

Geelong conference to focus on the future of cattle breeding

New genetic and artificial breeding research, and ideas that will shape the future of cattle breeding in Australia will be showcased at a conference being held in Geelong, Victoria next month…Read More

Beef Central, 26/02/2024

Weekly genetics review: It’s not just heritability – think about variation within traits

Heritability is a commonly raised subject among producers seeking to improve their selection decisions. Often the term is used by people without truly understanding what it is describing, or how it is determined. Without this basic understanding, making decisions that are more effective in improving the performance of cattle in a herd becomes more difficult. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 20/02/2024

Final Beef 2024 stud numbers swell to 2024 head

Stud cattle entries for May’s Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton closed yesterday, with an enormous 2024 nominations from breeders in all mainland Australian states, representing 29 breeds…Read More

Beef Central, 20/02/2024

Weekly genetics review: Progression requires some hard questions

Moving a herd towards a defined breeding goal is no small undertaking, and having a clear understanding of a herd’s profit drivers is a key first step..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 13/02/2024

Genetic Innovation in the Outback: the BreedNorth WA Project

THE BreedNorth project in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia is working towards improving the understanding and application of modern genetic evaluation tools in this remote pastoral region…Read More

Beef Central, 13/02/2024

Weekly genetics review: Longevity & Stayability – is there a difference?

The term, Stayability is a commonly re-occurring theme to emerge every bull selling season. Much of the impetus for these discussions is driven by consultants and advisors who look to encourage producers to consider the cost of a bull and its potential working life. However, working life of a bull and stayability are actually two different things…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 06/02/2024

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