The third and final planned joining in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP) will be held this spring.  Nominations for bulls to be included in the AI program for the five co-operating herds are now being sought.

The ASBP tests progeny of a wide range of bulls over a large number of traits from daughter fertility, progeny growth and the carcase characteristics and feed efficiency of their progeny.  It is the largest progeny test in Australia and this is the last chance to nominate a bull for the final planned joining this spring.

You can nominate a bull you have retained for use in your herd or one that you have purchased to use in your herd.  The data generated in the ASBP progeny test will increase the accuracy of the EBVs of bulls nominated and their progeny.  Progeny generated in the program will be tested across a wide range of traits including feed efficiency and carcase value. 

The 2012 joining is the one last planned for the progeny testing program.  It gives you a chance to test how good your bull is against some of the best young bulls in the Angus breed.

Bulls nominated need to supply 100 straws of good quality semen delivered by 1 September to Nationwide AB in Victoria.  A nomination fee of $2500 (plus GST) applies for Australian bulls.

• Further information can be obtained from Angus Australia or Bob Dent at bdent4@bigpond.com or 0457 457 141.