ANGUS Australia has launched a new genetic selection tool called SteerSelect, providing lotfeeders and beef producers with confidence in determining the genetic potential of their Angus steers, allowing for more informed decisions across the beef supply chain.
Timed to coincide with the start of the BeefEx feedlot industry conference in Brisbane this morning, the launch of the SteerSelect product delivers genomic-based genetic predictions for Angus steers covering the key trait areas of growth, feedlot performance, carcase attributes, and resilience.
The product, developed on trials based on longfed and midfed programs, has been developed for Angus steers that are F3 Angus (87.5pc) or higher.
Angus SteerSelect has been specifically developed to cater to Australian and New Zealand beef production systems, using extensive research and data gathered through Angus Australia’s reference population, which now includes more than 300,000 genotyped animals. This ensured that the tool provides the most accurate genetic predictions for Angus steers, AA said in a statement.
Angus Australia chief executive Scott Wright said the launch of SteerSelect added to the portfolio of Angus genetics-focused tools for Angus breeders and Angus beef supply chains.
The product was the culmination of five years of collaboration between Angus Australia and CSIRO.
“Importantly, it leverages the genotype and phenotype reference population data curated by Angus Australia, including the rich dataset from the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program,” Mr Wright said.
Angus Australia’s general manager of genetic improvement, Christian Duff, told Beef Central it was likely that both lotfeeders and cattle breeders would invest in the selection tool, allowing breeders to market their steers with particular attributes.
Angus SteerSelect complemented the genetic selection tools already available to industry, particularly Angus HeiferSelect, which has been in use since 2017, he said.
“Angus SteerSelect provides genetic predictions across nine key traits important for Angus steer production. This is coupled with an overall Angus Steer Value, which encapsulates the overall genetic worth of each feeder steer,” Mr Duff said.
The new tool also offered sire verification (where possible) and genomic breed composition to further enhance its value for producers.
The product can be accessed directly from Angus Australia or via collaborating genetics service providers Zoetis Animal Genetics or Neogen Australasia.
Angus SteerSelect was developed and validated in the commercial environment, enabling greater precision in sorting and/or marketing of Angus steers into lines suitable for the different paths within the beef supply chain, the AA statement said.
Identifying each animal’s genetic potential
Rangers Valley’s livestock procurement manager William Schmidt said his company was excited about the possibility of being able to individually select commercial progeny for specific feeding programs.
“By identifying individual animal’s genetic potential, we hope to reduce our production cost of feeding cattle that are not suited to our longfed programs,” he said.
Webinar
A webinar introducing Angus SteerSelect will be held from 1pm on Thursday October 31 AEDT.
The webinar will discuss the background behind the creation of the product, the technical information stakeholders need to be aware of and the ordering process. To register, click here.
- Angus Australia will showcase the new Angus SteerSelect product on its trade site at the ALFA BeefEx Conference today and tomorrow.
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