These searchable lists are a valuable nationwide resource for both upcoming and recently completed stud and herd bull sales information. This presentation is designed to assist bull buyers making decisions about upcoming purchases, and industry stakeholders interested in recent sales results. Both lists are fully searchable by breed, time-frame, region and specific stud prefix.
Click here to access beef breed record bull and female prices
As the 2019 bull selling season draws to a close, there are some key trends that have emerged from what has been a challenging year for all producers across the country. Despite the continued reduction in cow numbers, this year’s spring bull selling season was not as tough as many producers first feared. Strong sales with high clearances occurred across most breeds in NSW and Victoria, while in the north demand for bulls remained as strong as previous years, with total clearances at major sales…Read More
Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, November 7, 2019
Throughout this year’s drought, one emerging trend has been the topic of mature cow size. There are a number of causes for this trend to develop. Firstly the on-going impact of poor to desperate seasons across Australia has focussed many producers on the nutritional challenges in maintaining larger cows. At the same time, the increased selection of bulls for growth and carcase weight has seen industry question the size of cattle being produced, reports genetics editor Alastair Rayner…Read More
The new Hereford breeding Indexes due for release this month are a big departure on previous indexes, with a focus on production environment and breeding program as the primary drivers and not just finishing system. This is probably the first of the new direction for breeding indexes and reflects an effort to provide producers with greater opportunities to choose bulls that actually help produce cattle for their country, reports genetics editor Alastair Rayner…Read More
Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 22, 2019
Results from prominent recent Queensland bull sales have further highlighted the impact that In-Vitro Fertilisation artificial breeding techniques are having on sale bull values, by greatly expanding access to elite maternal genetics…Read More
Jon Condon, October 22, 2019
As producers continue to reshape their drought strategies, the term ‘core breeder group’ is a common one. Many producers refer to their core breeders, however the definition of these animals is much harder to establish, writes genetics editor Alastair Rayner, in this weeks genetics review…Read More
Guest Author, October 17, 2019
Be clear on what drives profit in your business and match your bull selection to those profit drivers. That’s the message from MLA genetics program manager Hamish Chandler, who says this should underpin how every producer uses genetic selection tools such as EBVs and indexes.
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Changing a beef herd, or moving it towards a specific goal is not a quick process. The rate of genetic gain within a herd can be determined by well-proven equations, genetics editor Alastair Rayner reports this week. How quickly new genetics enter a herd and how much selection pressure is placed on existing breeders is the one of the greatest variables when discussing genetic improvement, he says. ..Read More
Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 9, 2019
With the World Angus Forum now just under two years away, planning and organising is well underway for the two-week event being held across eastern Australia from late April to early May 2021. ..Read More
Beef Central, October 8, 2019
Recent US research suggests the importance of udder shape may be over-stated, resulting in unnecessary culling of otherwise productive females. In the Australian breeding context, the results of the study are probably worth considering, genetics editor Alastair Rayner suggests…Read More
Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 1, 2019
Prominent cattle vets Drs Sandi Jephcott (Qld) and David Peterson (NSW) weigh-up the pros and cons of manual preg testing and ultrasound. Is one necessarily better than the other?..Read More
Dr Sandi Jephcott and Dr David Peterson, March 14, 2019
Selection is a process for all breeding herds. But without a clear focus on the profit drivers – more kilograms of beef per hectare – producers may be overlooking cows that are less profitable in a herd. This makes improvement slower and can impact selection of bulls as there is less chance to really drive the traits that a herd needs, says genetics editor Alastair Rayner..Read More
genetics editor Alastair Rayner, September 25, 2019
NT DPI&R’s Whitney Dollemore summarises bull selection and how to set breeding objectives for extensive northern Australian beef herds, for the mating year ahead…..Read More
Beef Central, September 25, 2019