QHerdMASTER bl 12 Q Congratulations Southern Africa News/2003 (Southern Afric… · without the sponsorship from Pick 'n Pay. Their big sponsorship is much appreciated. FNB, Beyer

I am delighted to learn that in justover two years the BREEDPLANInternational system has captured46% of South Africa's beef recordingmarket with Brahman, Simmentaler,Simbra, Braford, Brangus andLimousin now serviced. The nationalcommitment of Namibia toBREEDPLAN is also veryencouraging. Congratulations to allthe breed society councillors andexecutive offices who sought out atruly international solution to therecording needs of Southern Africa.

BREEDPLAN continues to enjoyspectacular growth. In total 42 beefbreeds use BREEDPLAN. Theseaccounts are spread over 12 differentcountries. In fact, BREEDPLAN isthe endorsed national recordingsystem in six of those countries.

For many breeds, BREEDPLAN isused in a number of countries asshown below:

To date, thirteen breeds participate inthe international genetic evaluationservice provided by BREEDPLAN.

This has some fairly obviousadvantages. The wider the genepool under evaluation, the greaterthe opportunity of finding elite geneticmaterial to propagate, to accelerategenetic improvement internationally.Corporate pig and poultry producershave being doing this for years andits time for beef to catch up.

BREEDPLAN is more than anadvanced genetic evaluation system- it is also a genetic informationsystem with extraordinary outreach.By around mid 2004, I am confidentthat the Internet Solutionscomponent of BREEDPLAN willattract in excess of 1 million enquiriesper month. That's a very good reason for beef cattle breeders worldwide to use theservice - as indeed is the case for our

clients in Southern Africa.

South Africa is following a classicalpattern of adoption of BREEDPLAN.The "early adopters" are alreadycommitted and their experience willbe monitored by the remainder of themarket. We wouldn't wish to have itany other way. I also anticipate thatthere will be considerable interestfrom a number of breeds inparticipating in joint Australian-RSAgenetic evaluations.

To all or our current and potentialclients in Southern Africa, bestwishes and may you exceed the goals of your respective breedingprograms in 2004.

PA Rickards OAMManaging Director,

Agricultural Business Research Institute

I s s u e 1 4 , A p r i l 2 0 0 4

http://www.agr ibsa.co.za

Dr Crook visits Southern Africa bl 3 Tegniese brokkies bl 10-13 Are you in control of your herd? bl 5 HerdMASTER bl 12LW/BP kompetisie wenners bl 9, 18 GeneSTAR bl 15

Breed No. of countries Breed No. of countries

HerefordAngusShorthornCharolaisSalers

88444

BrahmanMurray GreyLimousinSimmentalSouth Devon

55444

BREEDPLAN use by Breed and Country for a sample of ten breeds.

Congratulations Southern Africa

Arthur Rickards, ABRI

SA breedplan news 2004.qxp 6/04/2004 11:30 AM Page 1

Redaks i e

Hierdie jaar se BREEDPLAN Nuussal weereens die geweldige groei inBREEDPLAN se Internasionaleaktiwiteite reflekteer. In Suid-Afrika isdit die Brangus-, Braford- en Limousingenootskappe wat aangesluit het.Meer as 46% van Suider Afrika sevleisbees- stoettelers gebruik nou dieBREEDPLAN stelsel.

Die BREEDPLAN stelsel is ontwikkelom genootskappe meer onafhanklikte maak en om sodoende aan kliënte'n beter diens te kan verskaf. Goeieondersteuningstrukture, goeiebefondsing en die wêreld se bestenavorsers sal altyd sorg dat diesisteem op die voorpunt vantegnologie bly.

Een van die groot uitdagings vir diestoetveebedryf in Suider-Afrika is diepromovering van teelwaardes(EBV's) onder veral die kommersiëlebedryf. Statistieke in hierdie nuusbriefwys dat bykans 50 - 80 % van dieAustraliaanse kommersiëlevleisbeesboere teelwaardes gebruikwanneer hulle bulle of koeie koop. Diepersentasie gebruik van teelwaardesonder Noord- Amerikaansekommersiële boere behoort bynadieselfde te wees. Telers in hierdielande het reeds 20-30 jaar terug vanindekse na teelwaardes oorgeskakel.Databasisse is dieselfde tydaangepas om verskillende kruisraskombinasies te akkommodeer en dieprestasietoets stelsels is aangepasom die akkuraatheid van teelwaardeste promoveer. In Suider- Afrika is telerstraag om van indekse na teelwaardesoor te skakel ten spyte van die feit dat teelwaardes 5-9 keer meer akkuraat is.

Die nuwe HerdMASTERkuddebestuursprogram word nouwyd in Suider-Afrika gebruik. PierreJoubert is ons voltydseondersteuningspersoon. Dieterugvoering wat ons van stoet- sowelas kommersiële boere kry is geweldigpositief. Baie van ons telers gebruiknie net die program om algehelekuddebestuur te behartig nie maarook om alle registrasies en prestasiedata na die genootskappe te stuur.Die voordele verbonde aan dieelektroniese versending van data istalryk. Die inligting kan nie in die poswegraak nie, die sisteem laaioutomaties die inligting, tikfoute wordgeminimaliseer en 'n korteromkeertyd vanaf die teler na diekantoor en weer terug wordverwesenlik. Die nuwe HerdMASTER"reporter" is ook beskikbaar gestel.

This year we launched theLandbouweekblad/BREEDPLANcompetition. What a success it hasbeen and thanks to all those breederswho participated. We trust that yourefforts were well rewarded. Manybreeders spent many hours filling inthe forms and the feedback we havehad is that a lot has been learnt. Thiscompetition would not be possiblewithout the sponsorship from Pick 'nPay. Their big sponsorship is muchappreciated. FNB, Beyer andVoermol are also sponsors of thecompetition and their contributionsare also appreciated. Voermoladded a lot of value to the competitionby combining their competition withours. Tilla Steenkamp did an excellentjob coordinating the competition andtogether with Martin and NormaSeyferdt must be thanked for making

the competition such a success.

As I write this article anothertenderness marker has beenreleased. Many of our breeders usethe GeneSTAR test as part of theirbreeding program. Astute breedersworld-wide always try to be a fewyears ahead of market expectationsand there is no doubt that meatquality is becoming more important.Together with the tenderness 1 testthe new marker (called Tenderness 2)is expected to reduce the percentageunacceptable carcasses from 17% toless than 2% thus giving meat qualitya huge boost.

Finally, Don Nicol has written thefeature article this year. Don is a wellrespected authority in AnimalBreeding Internationally and hiscomments on the importance ofcalving seasons is much appreciated.

Telers is welkom om ons te kontakindien daar enige navrae ofkommentaar is. Aan alle telers, 'nvoorspoedige jaar.

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4

http://www.agr ibsa.co.za2

Michael Bradfield- BREEDPLANCo-ordinator in Southern Africa.

“Mnr.Brian Angus is Landbouweekblad/BREEDPLAN se stoetteler van die jaar”Mnr. Brian Angus is die eerstealgehele wenner van dieLandbouweekblad/ Breedplan-kompetisie vir Stoetteler van die Jaar.

Die prysgeld wat gewen is sluit in 'nstudiereis na Australië waar Mnr.Angus verskeie stoeterye sal besoek. Terug in Suid-Afrika sal hy sy

ervarings tydens 'n boeredag inAugustus op sy plaas in Arlington metmede-telers deel.

Pick n Pay is hoofborg van diekompitiesie met R1M oor 5 jaar. Dieander borge is Voermol, Beyer en FNB.

Mnr Brian Angus


During October this year, I had the opportunity to visitSouth Africa for two weeks. This was my first visit to thecountry. Thanks to Michael Bradfield (BREEDPLAN SouthAfrica) and Paul Lubout (Brahman Society of SouthAfrica), I managed to travel quite a few kilometres, see abit of the country and meet with breeders of Brahman,Simmentaler, Simbra, Limousin and Brangus cattle. Westarted in Pretoria, then on to Arlington, Potchefstroom,Zeerust, Vryburg, Bloemfontein and back. Fortunately,most of the time was spent "on farm", rather than in theoffice, so it gave me a worthwhile insight into the views onperformance recording, EBVs and the BREEDPLANsystem shared by the breeders we visited. What follows isan overview of some of the issues we discussed.

Transparency of the SystemRegardless of the genetic evaluation system, the majorityof questions arising are generally (1) Why does this animalhave the EBVs that it has and (2) Why are theirsometimes changes in the EBVs since the previousanalysis? Most breeders consider the link between theperformance records they collect and send to the breedsociety, and the EBVs they receive back from the Society,to be somewhat of a "black box". Their records are fed intothe "black box", the handle is cranked a few times, and outchurn the EBVs. But it doesn't have to be a "black box",because EBVs are simply a function of the amount ofpedigree and performance information associated withany given animal, and the comparisons of performancemade between various animals.

The BREEDPLAN system has been designed to be astransparent as possible for both the Society and theirmembers involved in performance recording. Thefollowing information is readily "accessible":

- performance records included in the analysis, compared to previous analysis

- raw data vs data adjusted to a constant age at measurement and age of dam

- contemporary groups in which nominated animals are compared

- performance / progeny history of parents and other animals in the pedigree

For sires (and also dams):- herds in which progeny have been recorded- progeny recorded per trait- the contemporary groups in which individual

progeny are compared and the other siresrepresented in the groups (if any)

- any tendency for sires to perform "differently" in one herd compared to others (which may reflect issues of data quality, lack of management group recording, or true sire by herd interactions)

- contributions arising from grand-progeny and great-grand-progeny, especially in regards to

"maternal growth" (ie. milk, via growth performance ofprogeny of daughters)

So, in reply to the original two questions, it IS possible toknow "why". The transparency of the BREEDPLANsystem allows the Society to provide feedback to itsmembers on these two important questions. Breedershave a right to ask these questions, and should beencouraged to do so, as this will only serve to strengthentheir understanding of the link between the performancerecords they collect and the EBVs they receive.

The Society "runs the show"The BREEDPLAN system is designed so that therespective breed societies "run the show". As mentionedpreviously, the system resides in the hands of thesociety: this entails all aspects of performance recording,herd reports, interim analyses and diagnostic support.The societies in turn require both programming andtechnical support, which is provided largely by theBREEDPLAN team, consisting of computerprogrammers, database "consultants" and geneticists.Breed societies also have their own office and field staff,all capable of providing "technical" support to thoseperformance breeders in their membership. Thesecond reason for my visit to South Africa was for furthertraining of society staff in the technical aspects of theBREEDPLAN database and the genetic evaluation. On-going support is part of the arrangement that eachsociety has with BREEDPLAN, though the nature of thesupport is largely determined by the needs of theindividual breed society. Some breed societies havedeveloped their technical capability to the point wherelittle "outside" technical and diagnostic support is nowrequired, apart from the undertaking of the GROUPBREEDPLAN analysis. Others are still in an early stageof technical "development", with regular input comingfrom the BREEDPLAN team.

http://www.agr ibsa.co.za 3

Souther n A f r i can sys tems

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4

Dr Crook’s visit to South Africa continues page 14

Dr Brad Crook visits Southern Africa

Dr Brad Crook and Mr Jan Hatting discuss some of thefiner details of animal breeding.


Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4


Overseas deve lopments

When you talk about North American(USA plus Canada) Herefords, the statistics are like telephonenumbers - over 23 million pedigreeanimals in the combined databases,7.6M weights and 4.6M calving ease scores. It is gratifying that the Associations involved have puttheir collective weight behindBREEDPLAN International.

Pedigree RegisterThe pedigree database of theAmerican Hereford Association(AHA) contains over 21 million animalrecords. This was formed by mergingdata from the American PolledHereford Association with that ofAHA. Unfortunately, initial attempts todo this by two USA-based companieswere only partially successful. That iswhen ABRI was engaged.

The ABRI's software identified andremoved data anomalies to enable aclean pedigree system to go intoproduction in 4th quarter 1999 onbudget and on time.

The AHA registers around 70,000herdbook cattle per year but over100,000 new Hereford calves are

added to the AHA database eachyear. The recording system is fast,robust and reliable.

Internet SolutionsThe AHA was an early user of ABRI'sInternet Solutions - for animal/member enquires and salecatalogues. This service regularlyreceives over 100,000 hits per month- by far the highest of any beef cattleassociation using ABRI's software.This basic service has now beenextended to include internetregistrations, inventory updates,collection of performance data andon-farm printing of AHA generatedreports. Those members who electto use the internet as their datasubmission method are able to usepre-built worksheets and batches.These worksheets already containthose animals which would havebeen pre-printed for them in AHA'spaper-based recording system. Inaddition, these members receivefaster turnaround of their data, asthey are automatically notified viaemail whenever new worksheets areavailable for their use, or whenupdated performance reports havebeen generated for them to print.

Performance recordingThe AHA has a very strongperformance recording program withweaning weights captured onaround 68,000 calves annually.Over 2400 herds are involved andthese herds run 80% of all the cowson the AHA inventory. An across-herd genetic evaluation is run twice per year which alsoincludes the performance data from Canada. The combinedperformance database is five timeslarger than that of any Australasiangenetic evaluation conducted byABRI. Historically, this work hadbeen performed by the University ofGeorgia. However, a switch wasmade to BREEDPLAN in order togain the advantages of a fullyintegrated breed register whichprovides AHA with a high level ofcontrol over all of its computing.

HerdMASTERA strategic focus of AHA is to movetowards a paperless recordingsystem. Consistent with thisobjective, ABRI's Saltbush Divisiondeveloped herdMASTER using thelatest tools from Microsoft. The newsoftware was trialled extensively byVern Raush of Rausch HerefordFarms whose on-farm database hasrecords on in excess of 20,000 cattle.

Vern is enthusiastic about the newproduct. Over 200 herdMASTERsystems have been purchased byAHA members in the last two years. Aweb-based version of herdMASTERwill be available in 2004 and actively marketed to the small to medium-sized studs.

SummaryThe AHA is one of the largest beefcattle associations in the world. Afterworking with ABRI for four years, itsservices to breeders have beentransformed into world's bestpractice. The advanced dataprocessing system has empoweredthe AHA to develop aggressive plansfor increasing the market share ofHereford genetics in North America.

Arthur RickardsManaging Director, ABRI

BREEDPLAN in North America

Craig HuffhinesExecutive Vice PresidentAmerican Hereford Association.

Vern RauschRausch Hereford Farms."I believe herdMASTER is theright solution at the right time forthe on-farm recording needs ofAmerican Hereford breeders".

"This proved to be the best decision thatAHA could have made"said Craig Huffhines.


In my op in ion

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4

5

Are you in control of your herd or just harvesting?Thirty-five years working in extensive beef productionin the tropics and sub-tropics has led me to hold somefirm views on the philosophy necessary to raiseprofitable cattle in a sustainable system.

They include: -1.Breed cattle that fit the environment rather

than changing the environment to fit the cows.2.Use time-controlled grazing systems for

sustainability, utilising native pasture species where possible.

3.Select for traits that have economic importance in your environment.

4.Use breeds or multi-breeds (composites) that have genes for production traits (fertility and meat quality) as well as for environmental adaptation.

5.Go for hybrid vigour or retained hybrid vigour from planned crossbreeding or composite breeding where possible, because they confer huge benefits when you can use them.

6.Use the inherent parasite resistance of your cattle rather than chemicals.

7.Genetic improvement leads to cumulative and permanent gains. Per head gains are more important when you are stocking at hectares/animal rather than animals/hectare.

8.Last but not least, match the production cycle with the period of high quality and quantity of forage.

It is the latter point that I want to discuss in this article.

ChangesEach cattle farm in the world is unique. The physical,financial, climatic and human resources are specific to thatfarm. Cattle enterprises have a level of complexity interms of management that is more complex than the moresimple formulas of the soya bean farmer, the wheat farmeror the cane producer, because there are more variables todeal with.

Each farmer is 'king of his dunghill' and may know theproperty very well, but change is a challenge to peoplewho spend most days on their own land.

That is why benchmarking and group comparison is soimportant to assist producers make change decisions. Achange to the breeding season is one of the most difficultdecisions for the farm owner to make.

Cost of production The terms of trade for all beef producers have beendeteriorating over the last few decades. Costs always go upbut although beef prices might appear to be going up, whenyou adjust for the inflation, your returns in real terms are going

down! In Australiawhere I live this hasbeen happening at 3%per year over the last 20years. It means aproducer has to raiseproductivity by thatpercentage every yearjust to stay on par. Aspart of the increasingproductivity the producermust constantly drop thecosts of production(CoP) of the beefenterprise to get aheadand achieve profitability.

Lowering the costs of production on a cow-calfoperationThere are a number of ways a producer can drop CoPwithout going into harvesting mode. If you divide the totalkilograms produced on your farm by the Rands it costs toproduce those kilograms, you have established your costof production.

One of the key factors is to keep control on cow costssince maintenance of the cowherd is going to be a majorpart of the beef costs (75 - 80%) on your farm.

Manage "in synch" with Mother NatureOne of the basic ways to drop cost of production is tomatch the cow-calf production cycle with the quality andavailability of forage. Cost effective management willensure that high quality and quantity forage supplycoincides with the calving date and through to weaning.Together with strategic weaning it is the best way to keepcondition on your cows and minimise supplementaryfeeding costs. Cow's nutritional needs are highest in thelast 3 months of pregnancy and in the 3 months aftercalving. The energy requirements of cows in the monthsafter calving are shown in Figure 1 (after Pruitt 2001).

The chart shows the cow's additional energy needs abovethe normal maintenance levels, for milk production and to

Don Nicol - has 35 yearsexperience of management inextensive productions systems.


Are you in control of your herd? continues page 6


In my op in ionB

re

ed

pl

an

N

ew

s

-

Is

su

e

14

,

Ma

rc

h

20

04


Are you in control of your herd or just harvesting?supply sufficient nutrient to the growing foetus. Anyshortage of quantity or quality of feed at this time will affectreproductive performance. The average date of calving ofthe herd therefore is a critical factor in cow-calfperformance because of the peak demands of the cow forgood nutrition. In the tropics and sub tropics attempts toincrease cow and calf productivity have focussed mainlyon a calving season in the spring and summer months.

Length of breeding seasonIt's a truism that long breeding seasons result in long calvingseasons. Where calving season is not controlled i.e. bullsare left in all year, it will result in calvings distributedthroughout the year through a range of environmentalconditions. The cow that calves outside the 'best' time ofyear will struggle to raise a good calf and get back in calf.Producers using this breeding system see advantages inthat they do not need bull paddocks and say they needfewer bulls because the cows are coming on heat over alonger period. Replacement heifers need less developmentbecause they are mated when they get to the requiredweight, eventually. Proponents of year-round mating will tellyou there are marketing advantages because you will havecalves and to sell throughout the year. Are these producersreally aware of the costs of production on their place? Theanswer is, rarely. It is because they are essentially in aharvesting situation. They harvest calves; they are notreally interested in herd improvement.

Gestation length and postpartum anoestrus Key determinants of reproductive performance aregestation length (GL) and duration of postpartumanoestrus (PA). Gestation length (length of pregnancyfrom conception to calving) varies between breeds egAngus 280 days, Brahman 287 days, Simmental 286days, Belmont Red (Bonsmara) 284 days, Santa Gertrudis282 days and Simbra 283 days. In Bos indicus and Bos indicus-derived breeds, the variation in gestation length isgenerally greater than in Bos taurus breeds. Postpartumanoestrus is a technical term for the period from calvingdate until the cow exhibits a fertile heat. The calf suckling acow pulls energy from the cow and she has a period in earlylactation when she will not return to the bull.

In average situations cows should be coming on heat 50 -60 days after calving. However bos indicus and bosindicus derived breeds are more prone to seasonal effectson lactation anoestrus and this period is recognised asbeing a major factor in controlling the percentage of cowsconceiving. In a poor spring the anoestrus period couldblow out to 90 days or more. It means that for tropicalextensive breeding programs with Bos indicus and Bosindicus -derived cows the worst case scenario combines287days GL + 90 days PA = 377 days. The breedingseason would then have to be at least 90 days to ensureeach calving cow had at least one chance to come in heat.

Controlling the breeding seasonShortening the length of the breeding season is not aguarantee of increased calving percentage because in factreducing the breeding season will usually lower calvingpercentage slightly. However if the reduction in breedingtime puts calving date in sync with the 'best' time of year itmakes possible the kind of management and resourceallocation that can increase the kilos of beef produced andprofitability. No need to worry about the loss of a smallnumber of out of 'sync' calves when you are getting thewhole herd tuned to the best season.

Shorter breeding season advantagesThe advantages of a limited breeding season go beyond theputting the cows 'in synch' with the grass-growing season.

Limited breeding seasons allow: -- The ability annually to monitor productivitymeasures - an important one being kgs of beef producedper cow exposed to the bull the year before. These measures are especially important if you arebenchmarking your CoP with producers in your region.Calving all-year round you can really only measure anannual yield relative to the total number of females you own.- Annual herd health procedures are more efficientlyadministered because of the ability to vaccinate on atimelier basis relative to the stage of growth orreproductive status of the animals.- Sexual rest - taking the bull out will create a period ofsexual rest for the female herd that will be useful inminimising the effects of venereal diseases that aretransmitted by bulls.- Your culling procedures will be more effective.Reproductive success or failure is more evident.Culling a young cow that lets you down will boostreproductive performance in a number of ways. Firstly aless fertile 'passenger' will be culled. Analysis has shownthat a cow that let's you down once when young will tendto let you down again later on in life if left in the herd. Byconstantly culling less fertile types the repeatability offertility in the herd will rise over time. Pregnancy test afteryou take the bulls out and get the passengers out of theherd and lower your herd maintenance costs.- Assessment of your replacement heifer needs for herd improvement (superior genetics) and maintenance of herdsize. A shorter breeding season will allow you to manageyour heifers well so that the highest possible percentageobtains sufficient weight and development to be mated atthe right time. Don't do too much culling and pre-mating.Overmate as many heifers as you can afford and putselection pressure on their ability firstly to get in calf(pregnancy test), secondly to deliver a live calf withoutassistance and thirdly to get back into calf.

Are you in control of your herd? continues page 7


Are you in control of your herd or just harvesting?- In bull breeding herds you want toselect bulls from the most fertilefemales. A short breeding seasonallows you to compare reproductiveperformance of females.

And the bull breeder?The basis of performance recording isthat animals should be treatedequally and where managementtreatment is different, that fact berecorded. The best quality data willbe where cattle are born at a time thatallows them to express their geneticpotential. Adjustment factors in theBREEDPLAN evaluation systemallows for animals that are born atdifferent times to be analysed (theseare automatically sub-grouped).

Where the bulk of calves are born in

a tight calving pattern, it will lead tobigger numbers of animals in a'management group' based on birth date.

As the animals progress through lifesome animals will be culled orcastrated. This will diminish thenumbers in the management group(set at birth) eg for 600 day weight orscrotal size. The best quality datawill come from herds with largenumbers of calves in those birth-date, designated groups.

Adaptation traitsBreeders looking to select animalsfor coat type as an indicator ofadaptation are better served wherethe calves are born in tight groupsrather than spread throughout the

year and the changing environment.

Producers selecting for parasiteresistance for instance will get betterresults if the animals to be comparedwere born at a similar time becausethere are age and seasonal effects onparasite that can confound selection.

When to wean calves?Calves should be weaned according tothe season and when the availablepasture can no longer support thenutritional needs of a cow with a calf atfoot. Once a herd starts in a controlledbreeding system, cow conditionbecomes like money in the bankgaining interest. You want to conservecow condition because it is hard (andcostly) to put back on if you let the cowget down in condition too far. Strategicweaning is therefore important.

The weight of your calves at weaningwill make an important impact onyour annual production and profits.Calves born early in the calvingseason tend to have heavier weaningweight than those born later becausethey are older at weaning time.

This can be seen from the followingsimple table where I simulate theeffects for a herd that mates for a 105days and weans once when theoldest calves are 7 months old.

You will note that if you produce morekilograms for the same amount ofcost or relatively less increase incost, you have reduced your CoP. Itfollows therefore that the higher the% of calves born in the first weeks ofcalving the higher the total weightyou will turn off. In the tropicsbreeding seasons are rarely shorterthen 90 days (3 months). Ideally inthat time we would like to see 70%of cows calving in the first 41 days(2 cycles), 20% in the 42 - 62 daysperiod and the balance in the rest ofthe season.

In my op in ion

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4


Are you in control of your herd?continues page 8


In my op in ion


Are you in control of your herd or just harvesting?

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4

Bull PowerTo achieve tight calving seasons will require adequate %of fertile bulls that are actually working. This requires pre-season conditioning of bulls to forward store condition (notfat) plus annual breeding soundness inspections bycapable technicians. The type of country and the numberof watering points determines the actual mating %. In opencountry where cows are visible on heat from somedistance and at a small number of waters, 3% (3 bulls per100 females) fertile, working bulls will gain adequateconceptions. DNA profiling of calves in multi-sired herds inNorthern Australia has shown that 2% bulls will get most ofthe calves, therefore the 3rd bull (1%) is more for insurance.In country where there is thick cover and many waterholesor lying water, bull percentage may have to be higher.Attention to detail is important under these systems andregular checking of bulls is crucial and critical.

Best time of calvingExperience in summer dominant rainfall areas has shownthat you should breed so that cows start calving about amonth before the normal break to the rain season (> 50mmin combined falls). To achieve this the breeding or matingseason needs to start about 3 months after calving starts.Length of breeding season will be determined bypredictability of rainfall around the chosen dates. When dothe antelopes and other wild grazers calve in your region?

Can I change from year-round mating tomorrow?You can make a start but it must be done gradually. Theonly practical way is to make the change over a number ofyears to minimise losses from those cows that are totally'out of synch'.

The first step is to take the bulls out of the herd in the 3-4months preceding the desirable commencement date forbreeding.

Recommended dates for start of mating for zones ofSouth AfricaEast: 15 OctoberCentral: 1 DecemberWest: 15-30 December Far West: 1 January(Interestingly those dates are very similar to those forQueensland, in Australia).

Females that are not pregnant when you take the bulls outwill readily get in calf 3 months later when you put the bullsback in.

Each year thereafter take the bulls out 1 month earlier tominimise the impact of the change.

Another strategy is to start mate replacement heifers for

the first time by introducing them to the bull at the 'best'time as above.

If you have sufficient paddocks that allow you to run twomobs of cows then these cows that calve at the preferredtime can be run as a group and those that calve at the wrongtime of the year can be run separately and topped uppreferentially with a higher ratio of replacement heifers thatwill be joined at the right time. Whatever method you use itwill usually take about five years to achieve your goal, sostart soon. Five years seems a long time but the result willbe worthwhile.

PostscriptChange is inevitable in all businesses and the cattlebusiness is no different. A new challenge for the globalbeef producer is to breed and produce our beef taking thefinal consumers' needs into consideration. With per capitabeef consumption losing out globally to competitive lowercost meats eg chicken, we in beef production must lift ourgame. We can't afford to be like your 'big bird', the Ostrich,and stick our heads in the sand. Extensive consumerresearch in Australia utilising more than 500,000consumer tastings now clarifies exactly what the consumerrequires in order to eat more beef. The factors are manyand too many to discuss here (visitwww.msagrading.com) but some critical standards ofproduction are needed on the farm as well as pre and postslaughter. The challenge for the tropical extensiveproducer is to maintain animals on a rising growth patternthat equals to 0.6 kgs per day whole of life gain. Largeweight losses followed by compensatory gains areantagonistic to high yielding, good-eating carcases. Sothere will be ongoing challenges to balance in-paddockperformance with the quality of beef that will actually raisedemand for beef.

You will have to use all the tools to achieve the balanceand as we have been describing here, the first is acontrolled breeding season.

Don NicolBeef Cattle Consultant

BREEDLINK Pty Ltd

Period ofBirth

(days)

Weaning Wt (Kgs)when oldest are

7 months

$/kg Value ofweaner $

0 - 20 240 1.0 24021 - 41 219 1.1 241

42 - 62 198 1.1 21863 - 83 177 1.2 212

84 - 105 156 1.4 218

Table 1 - simulated effects for a herd that mates for a 105days and weans when the oldest calves are 7 months.


Die eerste jaar van die Landbouweekblad/BREEDPLAN kompetisie is nou nog net 'n vaeherinnering, maar wát 'n mooi herinnering? Dieentosiasme en belangstelling van die telers watingeskryf het was bewonderingswaardig. Van heindeen verre het die inskrywings ingestroom, van oral inSuid-Afrika én Namibië, almal voltooi met ongelooflikesorg en presisie. Die beoordelaars se taak was beslisnie maklik nie.

Die organiseringskomitee van die kompetisie bedankgraag die borge, Pick 'n Pay, Bayer, FNB en Voermol virhul ruimhartige bydraes, asook die deelnemers wat dietyd geneem het om die inskrywingsvorms te voltooi.Ons hoop om volgende jaar weer van almal van u tehoor. Die algemene bestuurder van Pick 'n Payslaghuise, Mnr. Malcolm Baxter, se toespraak is baiegoed ontvang en die verbintenis wat die land segunsteling supermarkgroep maak tot die opbouing vandie land se landbousektor is verblydend.

Die bul van die jaar is visueel beoordeel deur Mnr. Martin Seyfferdt en dan gekombineer met prestasie data. Diekoeigroep van die jaar-kategorie is beoordeel deur die onderskeietelersgenootskappe of deur die organiseringskomitee,

terwyl die stoetteler van die jaar-kategorie deur Proff.Erasmus en Neser van Vrystaat Universiteit beoordeelis. Voermol se beesboer van die jaar-kategorie is deurProf Greyling beoordeel, ook van Vrystaat Universiteit.Die organiseringskomitee bedank ook graag hierdiebeoordeelaars vir hul bereidwilligheid en vir die tyd wathulle aan die beoordeling afgestaan het.

'n Formele gala-geleentheid is gehou op die 31steOktober 2003 by Oliewenhuis, Bleomfontein om diepryse te oorhandig aan die wenners van al diekategorieë van die kompetisie. Dieorganiseringskomitee bedank graag vir Mev. NormaSeyfferdt vir die organisering van die geleentheid. Almalis dit eens dat dit voorwaar 'n spoggeleentheid was.

Aan die meer as 40 finaliste wat ver gereis het om daarte wees, veral die groep Namibiërs wat byna 50 ure opdie pad deurgebring het om die geleentheid by te woon,u teenwoordigheid word ontsettend baie waardeer. Aandie paar finaliste wat nie die geleentheid kon bywoonnie, ons hoop om u volgende jaar daar te sien.

Tilla Steenkamp


Kompet i s i e

9

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4

Landbouweekblad/BREEDPLAN kompetisie 'n wenner

Bull of the Year/ Teelbul van die Jaar:Angus: RR01128 van River Ranch.Brahman: NM00327 van Loriza Brahmane Brangus: D00495 van Deltaque BrangusseCharolais: DK01029 van André SmitLimousin: DK0110 van John DavenportSanta Gertrudis: SP0140 van Pip HobsonSimbra: HB0047B van Hardus BreedtSimmentaler: AGO 0067 van Adrian Odendaal Sussex: JAB0176 van Mapstone Brothers

Cow group of the Year/ Koeigroep van die Jaar:Angus: 1st: Brian Angus

2nd: Philip Barnard3rd: Anton Pelser

Brahman: 1st: Loriza Brahmane2nd: Kroonvee3rd: Bill van Lelyveld

Brangus: 1st : Sterkspoor Brangusse2nd: Ferdi Naudé Trust3rd: Deltaque Brangusse

Limousin: 1st: John Davenport 2nd: Johan Pistorius 3rd: Ferdi Naudé Trust

Santa Gertrudis: 1st: Craig Marwick 2nd: Amy Williams3rd: Annie Lock

Simbra: 1st: Wisp - Will Simbra2nd: Diethelm Metzger3rd: Arthur Bagot-Smith

Simmentaler: 1st: Salerika Simmentalers2nd: Wisp - Will Simmentalers3rd: Jozette Simmentalers

The winners of the Landbouweekblad /BREEDPLAN competition as they were announced on 31 October 2003 at a GalaEvent in Bloemfontein are:/ Die wenners van die Landbouweekblad /BREEDPLAN kompetisie soos bekend gemaak op31 Oktober 2003 tydens 'n Gala-geleentheid te Bloemfontein is as volg:

Afdeling: Teelbul van die JaarIn die gewone orde verskyn mnre. (bul se ID in hakies) A. Odendaal,Villiers (Simmentaler AGO 0067); Arthur Bagot-Smith namens HardusBreedt, Grootfontein, Namibië (Simbra HB 0047B); dr. Tobie Oosthuizenvan Bayer (Borg); mnre. Pip Hobson, Ladybrand (Santa Gertrudis SP 0140);Neville Mylie, River Ranch, Roberts Drif (SA Angus RR 01128); André Smit,Makwassie (Charolais DK 01029); Kobus Naudé, Nietverdiend (BrahmanNM 00327) en John Devonport, Waters Edge On Vaal (Lomousin DK0110). Die Broers Mapstone (Sussex JAB 0176) was afwesig.

BREEDPLAN kompetisie 'n wenner? continues page 18


Feed efficiency is one of the most economically importantproduction traits. In most enterprises, feed costs are thebiggest single input. It particularly affects profitability offeedlots, but is also significant for grazing enterprises.- The CRC has a major research program on feed

efficiency. There are links to many other projects such as breed society progeny tests and gene marker research.

- Following the initial CRC research, feed efficiency for genetic evaluation in Australia is measured as Net Feed Intake (NFI). NFI is the feed consumed by cattle under (-) or over (+) that expected for their weight and gain. ie:

efficient cattle of any size can be selected. This is preferable to Feed Conversion Ratio FCR as selection on FCR leads to bigger cattle, which may not suit all environments.

- NFI EBVs are now available in BREEDPLAN for breeders doing the required testing. Negative EBVs indicate lower feed intakes.

- NFI has similar heritability to growth, so good selection progress is possible once practical testing options are widely available.

- Testing currently involves the costly procedure of feed intake measuring individuals for 84 days. Several studs are now successfully doing this / at central test stations.

- A blood test for the protein IGF-1(Insulin like growth factor) has been shown in CRC research to be a promising predictor of NFI and some fatness measures. This was incorporated into BREEDPLAN NFI EBVs for the first time in 2004 ie: EBVs were calculated from a mix of feed intake tests and IGF-1 blood tests. Dr Hans Graser, Director of AGBU and leader of this segment of research "Our current feeling is this IGF-1 test will not totally replace actual feed intake measurements. It has the potential to allow a better selection of bulls to enter the feed intake test and to significantly add accuracy to EBVs at a young age". Blood samples should be taken at or before weaning for best results.

Reporting and interpreting NFI EBVsNFI EBVs are reported as kg of feed eaten per day. Likemost EBVs they can be positive or negative relative tobreed average. The more negative, the less feed eaten and

the more efficient. For example, two bulls with these EBVs:Bull A + 0.5 kg/day (Breed Average is 0)Bull B - 0.7kg/day

A simple interpretation, is that Bull B having more negativeNFI EBVs, would be expected to breed 'more efficient'progeny, than Bull A or a breed average bull. If the two bullswere similar in weight EBVs and joined to average cows,progeny of B would gain the same, but eat 0.6 kg less perday than the progeny of A (half the difference of 1.2 betweenthe Sire EBV, as the cows contribute half the genes).

Research results and correlations with other traitsThe trait, as measured on young bulls and heifers, is ofsimilar heritability to weight gain. Several experimentallines of steers, sired by High and Low NFI EBV Sires, havedemonstrated this by showing the predicted changes in NFIin the feedlot. Ie: when given ad lib access to a similar dietto that on which their parents were selected. A fair questionis therefore: "would these results hold under grazing?"Steers from the High and Low efficiency lines from"Trangie" have been grown out on pastures of varyingquality. In one experiment their intakes were measured viaslow release rumen capsules. Both lines had similar intakes,but the High line (more efficient) grew faster and therefore had

Tegniese b rokk i esB

re

ed

pl

an

N

ew

s

-

Is

su

e

14

,

Ma

rc

h

20

04


BREEDPLAN and Mr Ferdi Naude are looking at producingNet Feed Intake EBVs at this private feed testing facility.

- Major research program on feed efficiency continues. There are links to many other projects such as breed society progeny tests and gene marker research.

- For genetic evaluation in BREEDPLAN, feed efficiency is measured as Net feed Intake (NFI). NFI is the feed consumed by cattle under (-) or over (+) that expected for their weight and gain. ie: efficient cattle of any size can be selected.

- NFI EBVs are now available in BREEDPLAN for breeders doing the required testing. Negative EBVs indicate lower feed intakes.

- NFI has similar heritability to growth, so good selection progress is possible once practical testing options are widely available.

- Testing currently involves the costly procedure of feed intake measuring for 84 days. Several studs are now successfully doing this at central test stations.

- A blood test for IGF 1(Insulin like growth factor) has been shown in CRC research to be a promising early predictor of NFI and some fatness measures. This research is continuing and already being used by some studs in anticipation of incorporation into BREEDPLAN.

Feed efficiency and implementation in BREEDPLAN

NFI and implementation in BREEDPLAN cont page 11


better feed efficiency.

Continuing CRC research willamong other things, determine therelationship with some other traitsaffected by selecting for NFI. Todate the only significant finding is asmall link with leanness (cattle withlower NFI EBVs, being slightlyleaner and lower marbling). Whilethis needs to be watched, thecorrelation is quite low e.g. less thanthe birth to final weight link, and cantherefore be managed by selectingon both traits.

Heifers retained for breeding inresearch herds, in early results,have to date shown no effect onfertility or other production traits. Ascows, the negative NFI EBV linesappear to also be more feedefficient under grazing..

New research - Insulin-likeGrowth Factor (IGF-1) blood testused for 2004 EBVsThe CRC research group is alsolooking for gene markers andphysiological tests to increase theaccuracy of the NFI EBV and/or toreduce cost of finding superiorstock. The first of these has been

introduced to BREEDPLAN in 2004.This is a blood test for the proteinIGF-1. The blood test is conductedby the Australian company PrimegroLtd, which has the exclusive right tocommercialise this Australian IP.IGF-1 is moderately heritable (0.4)and correlated to NFI (0.6. Low IGF-1 readings correlate withbetterefficiency). Data from a largenumber of blood test results inBREEDPLAN herds has been usedin the January 2004 Angus NFI EBVcalculations. Hereford IGF-1 datawill be used from mid '04. IGF-Iblood samples should be taken ator before weaning to give bestgenetic responses.

The analysis of experimentalresults by AGBU also showed thatselection against IGF-I will reduceall measurements of fat (includingmarbling). However as thesegenetic correlations are notparticularly strong, there are plentyof animals which go against theoverall trend to breed progeny withimproved efficiency andacceptable marbling and fatness.These correlations with fatnessawait more research beforeinclusion in BREEDPLAN.

Data used for the firstBREEDPLAN EBVs 2002 - 2004Since the late 1990's, someprogressive studs have recordedfeed intakes of young bulls.

At this stage only two breeds - Angusand Hereford/Poll Hereford havesufficient, well linked data, to have anacross herd analysis and GROUPBREEDPLAN NFI EBVs.. These arepublished in these Breeds' Siresummaries and websites. As otherbreeds accumulate data, they willalso be able to publish such EBVsThis analysis has been done usingusing a two trait model. As thecorrelations with other traitsbecome known, NFI will beincorporated into the full multi traitBREEDPLAN model.

Further information:This BREEDNOTE is anintroduction to this complex topic.

Further details can be obtained fromthe office: Ph: 012-6675258

Tegniese b rokk i es

11http://www.agr ibsa.co.za

Blood test card are dried beforesending away for analysis.

Feed efficiency and BREEDPLAN continued

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

J

an

ua

ry

2

00

4


Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4



Vir meeste stoettelers in Suider-Afrika is die gebruik vanteelwaardes in hulle seleksie besluite 'n nuwe, en partykeer, onsekere ontwikkeling. Jim Leachman, van dieLeachman Cattle Co, is een van die wereld se grootstestoettelers. Sy jaarlikse bul veiling met meer as 2500 diereword sonder twyfel as die grootste veiling van sy soort indie wêreld beskou.

In 'n onderhoud met Jim Leachman, in die BEEF TODAYtydskrif van 1991, sê mnr Leachman dat hulle met hulleseleksie besluite, voor teelwaardes, een of twee keer uittien korrek was. Met teelwaardes is hulle ten minste8 of 9 uit tien keer korrek. Volgens Leachman is diesnaakse ding dat mense teelwaardes wil kruisig vir die eenof twee keer dat 'n bul nie volgens verwagting teel nie ('n

natuurlike verskynsel). Hulle vergeet hoe moeilik dit voorteelwaardes was!

Die interesante artikel oor die gebruik van teelwaardes isop om webblad by www.agribsa.co.za beskikbaar.

Wêreld se grootste stoetboer sê die volgende oor teelwaardes

“Groot stoetboere gebruik vir goeie rede teelwaardesin hul seleksie besluite”.

"sonder twyfel, die regte program op die regte tyd"

BREEDPLAN in Suider-Afrika het in Julie vanjaar dienuwe, moderne kuddebestuursprogram vir Microsoft®Windows aan ons telers bekend gestel. Die program worddeur stoet sowel as kommersiële telers gebruik. Dieprogram is 'n kragtige bestuursprogram wat verskeiefunksies kombineer, byvoorbeeld:

- Stuur registrasie en prestasie data per stiffie of e-pos aan u genootskap

- 'n Volledige kuddebestuursprogram (herdMASTERTM Reporter nou beskikbaar)

- Laai data maklik en trek onmiddellik verslae- Ontwikkel met die nuutste Microsoft® Windows

tegnologie- Laai die nuutste teelwaardes (interim sowel as

groep) vanaf die genootskap- Bereken indekse vir onmiddellike

bestuursbesluite- Stambome kan met gemak uitgedruk en

bestudeer word

HerdMASTERTM het unieke voordele:- Dit word deur telers wêreld-wyd gebruik en is

goed ontwikkel- Het 'n voltydse ondersteuningspersoon in

Suider-Afrika- 'n Voltydse span programmeerders verseker dat

die program altyd op datum met die nuutste tegnologie bly

- Groot hoeveelhede geld word in HerdMASTERTM belê. Die toekoms van HerdMASTERTM is dus uiters rooskleurig

As gevolg van die groot ontwikkelings aksie sal verskeienuwe HerdMASTER

TM produkte binnekort op die mark

verskyn. Al klaar op die mark is die nuweHerdMASTERTM Reporter, vir telers wat hulle eie verslaevolgens hulle eie behoeftes wil druk. Verder is daar ookdie HerdMASTER.NET Server wat ontwerp is om meer aseen gebruiker deur middel van 'n netwerk te hanteer.

Vir verdere inligting oor HerdMASTERTM skakel diekantoor by 012-6675258

HerdMASTER TM kuddebestuursprogram

Mnre Pierre Joubert en Thys Meyer is beïndruk metdie integrasie tussen HerdMASTER en die kantoor


There have been several surveys in recent years ofAustralian commercial beef producers, regarding their useof BREEDPLAN in bull buying. Survey results vary greatlywith breed and geographic location/production system andhow the questions were put. A quick summary is:

For the temperate areas with more intensive productionsystems and high use of British breeds:

- 40% use BREEDPLAN as their main selection tool, but still of course keep an eye on visual characteristics. "Wouldn't buy a bull without good figures".

- 40% use BREEDPLAN in buying decisions, but also heavily rely on visual and other criteria.

- 20% do not use BREEDPLAN.

In sub tropical areas the production systems are moreextensive, there is significant live export to SE Asia andtropically adapted breeds and composites are of coursewidely used. Studs of these breeds are also moreextensively managed and have lower BREEDPLAN usethan their southern counterparts. BREEDPLAN istherefore also less used by commercial bull buyers, butstill has a very significant presence. The above categoriesof buyers would be approx 25%; 25%; 50%.

In summary, the better and more accurate the EBVs themore the production system rewards weight and quality -the more bull buyers use BREEDPLAN. On one extremeare Angus breeders selling a high proportion of steers tofeedlots finishing for Japan - over 70% wouldn't buy bullswithout good figures. At the other end would be compositebreeders in Queensland who unfortunately do not have

many EBVs available to them - demand is steadilygrowing however.

Why should studs perfromance record? The two main reasons are:

To improve their stock, particularly in traits noteasily assessed visually - once a herd is recorded and benchmarked, it is easier to ensuresemen and bull purchases will actually progressthe herd!

To more accurately describe their sale stock and provide better service to bull buying clients.

Stud breeders are bull buyers and sellers and alongwith their clients, face: The Bull buyer’s dilemma

Buying bulls at sales can be difficult. How do you tell ifsome stock look better due to feed, or are they reallygenetically superior? Certainly you can visually checkstructural aspects, temperament etc., and you may haveexperience with some studs or sire lines, but it would begood to have a better indicator of how an animal willbreed. What growth rates, milking ability, carcaseattributes, female fertility and efficiency levels do youexpect in the progeny, for example?

Buying bulls on the property allows better selectionwithin that herd, but how do you compare with otherherds? Only breeding values allow you to compareanimals across sexes, years, seasons and even herds.

Brian Sundstrom

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4



Commercial beef producers and EBVs

New generation beef tenderness test announced continuedThe perfect steak every time is closer to becomingreality with the latest scientific breakthrough in DNAtechnology. A new generation test for beef tendernesshas been launched globally by Genetic Solutions inanother world first. The GeneSTAR Tenderness 2 test isan improved version of an earlier product. It combinesground breaking Australian and United States researchin a unique two-gene package.

Genetic Solutions Marketing Manager Jason Strong saidthat the new two-gene test has greatly expanded thescale for tenderness. "Our ability to make geneticprogress in this important trait has just taken a massivestep forward. The success of premium beef brands willbe greatly enhanced if the source animal has a tendergenetic profile", he said.

Mr Strong said the GeneSTAR Tenderness 2 test had

been trailed across a number of breeds and crosses, "Itis clear that all breeds can benefit from using the newtest as a selection tool, and the Angus breed in particular."

The new GeneSTAR Tenderness 2 test incorporates arecent discovery by scientists at the USDA Meat AnimalResearch Centre. It follows pioneering work in Australiaby a team from the Beef Quality CRC, CSIRO and Meatand Livestock Australia which last year established thefirst genetic link to beef tenderness involving thecalpastatin gene.

Researchers discovered tough and tender variants ofcalpastatin, an enzyme that is involved in thetenderisation of beef during post mortem ageing.Genetic Solutions developed a commercial test for the

New generation beef tenderness test cont page 20


Recording of management groups The "building blocks" of geneticevaluation are the differences inperformance between animals withinthe same contemporary group, andthe pedigree links between thesegroups. While pedigree errors dooccur, the number one cause of EBVproblems is poorly definedcontemporary groups. In other words,the wrong head-to-head comparisonsare being made and some of thedifferences in performance beingattributed to genetics are really due toreasons other than genetics.

Most breeders understand the need torecord differences in management.For instance, when some bulls are fedfor sale or show, and others not, thendifferences in performance areexpected between the two groups.This information should be recordedas different management groups onthe performance forms.

But sometimes "management" may bethe same, but the "environment" differsbetween groups. For instance, twogroups of cows and calves are grazingat opposite ends of the property, onebeing in more favourable country thanthe other. If you expect the calves inone group to perform better/poorerthan those in the other, due to"country" differences, then you havetwo separate "management groups"from a genetic evaluation perspective.Likewise, if there is a sick calf amongsta group of calves, and you know thatthe performance of the calf is downbecause of ill-health, then theperformance of this calf should be sub-grouped from the other calves (e.g.using a management group code of"SIC" the performance forms).Otherwise, the calf will be consideredto under-perform genetically, and willbe penalised in its growth EBVs. Themother's milk EBV is also likely to be penalised.

That said, it is also important to realisethat a calf by itself contributesNOTHING to its EBVs, as there are noother calves against which its

performance can be compared. Thesesingle-group calves simply receive amid-parent estimate of their EBVs. Sothat one high-performance bull calfthat has been singled out and fed forshowing, with management recordedcorrectly, will have EBVs that do NOTmake use of its performance, becauseit is in a group by itself. At least twoanimals in a group are needed tomake a comparison of performance.

ET calves and recipient daminformationThere are two sources of maternaleffects on the performance of ETcalves: the genetic contributioncoming from the mother, and the"maternal environment" contributed bythe recipient dam. Recipient breeddifferences, within-breed variation inmaternal capacity and dam ageeffects, will all contribute to differencesin performance between ET calves,even from the one flush.

To make valid comparisons betweenET calves, the minimum detail thatmust be known about the recipientdam is her breed. If breed isunknown, then performance recordsfor ET calves cannot be used tocalculate EBVs. If age of recipientdam is known (and even anestimated year of birth is better thannothing!!), allowance can be madefor dam age effects. Better still, if theactual recipient is known (by societyidentification, tattoo or tag), then amore appropriate modeling of the"maternal environment" can take place.

By recording these details, breederscan ensure that they are getting themost value out of the pedigree andperformance records collected for ETcalves, and the EBVs calculated for them.

Breed contentGenetic evaluation of pure breeds is arelatively straightforward matter. Butwhen it comes to crossbred andcomposite breed types, the situationquickly becomes more complicated.

One of the appeals of crossbreeding isthe ability to exploit the geneticadvantages of two or more breeds, aswell as the additional benefits arisingfrom heterosis (or hybrid vigour).

It is this latter bit - heterosis - that addsthe complication to genetic evaluationof such breeds, because we have toadjust for this effect if we are tocalculate the genetic contribution thatan animal will pass on to its progeny.This is the difficult part, because theamount of heterosis affectingperformance in the calf is not constant,but depends on the stage of crossing(i.e. first-cross, second-cross, back-cross, etc), the source (sire or dam) ofthe component breeds and the stageof crossing of the dam (for maternalheterosis). To make head-to-headcomparisons of performance incrossbred and composite breedswithout adjusting for heterosis is a sureguarantee for getting unreliable andincorrect EBVs.

For breeds such as Simbra, Brafordand Brangus, a key feature of theSociety databases is that all baseanimals (those without pedigreebehind them) should be expressed interms of their percentage breedcontent. All animals of known pedigreecan then have their breed contentcalculated automatically andallowance can be made for heterosisin the genetic evaluation. Breedcontent may not seem like animportant piece of information. But forcrossbred and composite breeders, it'sup there with the "big two" - pedigreeand performance information - indetermining the most appropriategenetic evaluation for the breed.

A final wordMy sincerest thanks to the manybreeders I met while in South Africa.Thanks for your hospitality, yourenthusiastic and challengingdiscussion, superb red wine and forgiving a Rugby LEAGUE supporter avery thorough "immersion" into theworld of Rugby UNION. I fear I havebeen converted….almost!B

re

ed

pl

an

N

ew

s

-

Is

su

e

14

,

Ma

rc

h

20

04


Dr Crook visits Southern Africa continued

Souther n A f r i can sys tems


Vanaf Julie 2002 tot op hede is reedsmeer as 1 000 diere in Suider-Afrikadeur GeneSTAR getoets vir die tweegenetiese merkers, marmering ensagtheid. Die resultate vir die sagtheidgeen is baie verblydend en alhoeweldie marmering geen in heelwat laerfrekwensies in die verskillendevleisbeespopulasies voorkom is ditbelangrik om te noem dat hierdie genebaie maklik en vinnig vermeerder kanword in 'n populasie deur eenvoudigdie diere te selekteer wat tweester isvir die spesifieke geen. Hieronder istwee grafieke wat die statistieke vir diegetoetste populasies weergee. (Tenminste 60 rekords per ras wat ingesluitis in grafieke).

Soos in die grafieke gesien kan wordis die frekwensie vir die sagtheidgeenin al die vleisbeesrasse wat getoets isbaie hoog. Deur te selekteer vir dierewat twee afskrifte van die geen dra, salhierdie geen baie vinning in diepopulasie vasgelê kan word en diefrekwensie dus nog hoër raak. Dit isbekend dat hierdie spesifieke geen 'n10 - 12% invloed het op vleissagtheidin die geheel. Seleksie vir hierdiesagtheidsgeen is 'n baie eenvoudigehulpmiddel wat aangewend kan wordin 'n poging om 'n meer aanvaarbareproduk aan die mark te lewer. Diegeen vir marmering kom minder voorin al die Suider-Afrikaansevleisbeespopulasies, maar dit kan netsoos die sagtheidsgeen baie vinningvermeerder word deur seleksie virhierdie geen. Marmering is 'neienskap wat positief geassosieer

word met sappigheid ensmaaklikheid van vleis.B e e s v l e i s p r o d u s e n t ebehoort uit 'n pligsgevoelteenoor hul verbruikers hulkuddes te laat toets virmarmering en deur middelvan seleksie die frekwensieverhoog. GeneSTARresultate word as sterrevoorgestel wat diehoeveelheid afskrifte van diegeen verteenwoordig. Dit ismaklik om te laat toetsaangesien die DNS

eenvouding uit stertkwashare ofsemen verkry kan word. Die DNSgebasseerde diagnostiese toetsemaak gebruik van gevorderde DNStegnologie en die toets is dus hoogsakkuraat. Die resultate word aantelers gepos, gefaks of ge-epos. Dielaboratorium waar die toetse gedoenword hou 'n monster van die DNS inpeutervrye houers sodat dit weer

gebruik kan word vir ander toetse sooswat addisionele merkers ontdek word.

Vir enige verdere inligting oorGeneSTAR kan u die kantoor skakelby Tel:+27 (0)12- 667 5258, E-pos:[email protected], Webtuiste:www.agribsa.co.za

Tilla Steenkamp

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4


GeneSTAR statistieke vir Suider-Afrika

GeneSTAR

Mnr. Malcolm Baxter, nasionale algemenebestuurder, Pick 'n Pay-slaghuise, het by diételer van die jaar geleentheid gesê vleis word tansin 136 van die groep se winkels verkoop. Daar wordverwag dat die groep se afdeling vir varsvleisvanjaar 'n deurset van 35 miljoen kg gaan haalwaarvan sowat 57 % beesvleis is.

Die groep is en sal altyd verbind wees tot steunaan die land se vleisboere en die landbou inbreë. Eweneens is die groep verbind tot dieontwikkeling van gehalteprodukte met die oog opgewaarborgde sagtheid en voedselveiligheid.Die verkope van varsvleis het oor die afgelopetwee jaar met sowat 25% afgeneem. Die groep het hierdie tendensomgekeer deur sy winsgrens te verlaag en beplan om met dié positiewetendens vol te hou in belang van die totale rooivleisbedryf.

Voorts lê die groep deurlopende klem op die gesondheidsaspekte vanrooivleis en die skep van produkte wat dit staaf. Weens die uitstaande gehaltevan Suid-Afrikaanse rooivleis word daar nie rooivleis vir verspreiding deur diegroep se slaghuise ingevoer nie. Lam- en skaapvleis word wel vir die laerinkomstegroepe ingevoer maar alle invoere is minder as 1 % van die groepse totale vleisverkope. Die groep streef dus na 'n langtermyn verbintenis metdie land se vleisboere,het mnr. Baxter gesê.

[Landbouweekblad 16 November 2004]

Mnr. MalcolmBaxter, NationaleBestuurder van Pick nPay slaghuise.

Pick 'n Pay aan teler se kant


In te r netB

re

ed

pl

an

N

ew

s

-

Is

su

e

14

,

Ma

rc

h

20

04


Die Suider-Afrika BREEDPLAN webfunksies waar allegegewens op die internet beskikbaar is kry tans meer as16 000 besoeke per maand. Die grafiek hieronder dui dieongelooflike groei van hierdie dienste die afgelope jaar.

Telers se registrasie en prestasie gegewens is nou op die

webblad by www.agribsa.co.za beskikbaar. Elke teler kanook sy eie gebruikersnaam en wagwoord gebruik om alleprestasiegegewens (bv. kudde profiele, interimteelwaarde verslae en profiele) vanaf die Internet af tetrek. Alle diere se stambome en prestasiegegewens kanop die internet opgesoek word.

Statistieke vir Internet Sisteem in Suider-Afrika


Karkas

Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4


Na drie jaar se skandering deur Matt Wolcott, 'nBREEDPLAN geakkrediteerde tegnikus, is teelwaardes virkarkas eienskappe soos vetdikte, oogspieroppervlakte,persentasie marmering en verkoopbarevleisopbrengs inSuid - Afrika beskikbaar gestel. BREEDPLAN is 'n voorloperop hierdie tegnologie en gee reeds vanaf 1991 teelwaardesvir hierdie belangrike eienskappe. Grafiek 1 hieronder wysas voorbeeld hoe die Australiaanse Korthoring oor 'nperiode van agt jaar vet dikte met bykans 2mm verlaag enterselfde tyd oogspier oppervlakte met 'n ¾ cm3 vergroot het.Seleksie vir karkaseienskappe het enorme ekonomiesevoordele vir 'n rasgenootskap. 'n Groep wat die bedryfverteenwoordig koördineer Ultrasoniese Skanderings vanbeeste in Suider Afrika. Die groep staan as SARTU bekend.Tegnici word deur SARTU geakkrediteer en telers kan teen'n fooi van tussen R38 - R45 per dier hulle diere laat skandeer.

Louw Snyman is onlangs geakkrediteer om in Suider - Afrikabeeste te skandeer. Sy telefoon nommer is 0828085343

Die volgende metings word geneem:- Oogspieroppervlakte by die 12de/13de rib- Vetdikte by die P8 kruis-area- Vetdikte by die 12de/13de rib- Binnespierse Vetpersentasie (Marmering)

Notas:- Skanderingsdata kan slegs verwerk word vir diere wat reeds by BREEDPLAN aangeteken is met geboortedatum en vaar- en moederbesonderhede.- Kry 'n vorm van u genootskap van die diere wat u wil laat skandeer- Dit word aanbeveel dat u lewendige gewigte aanteken op dieselfde dag as wat die ultrasoniese skanderingsmetings geneem is.

- Gebruik slegs geakkrediteerde skandeerders.- Diere moet in 'n bestuursgroep voorkom en tussen 300 en 800 dae oud wees wanneer

geskandeer word om in die ontleding ingesluit te word. - Dit word sterk aanbeveel dat diere ten minste 5mm vetbedekking het wanneer vir binnespierse vet (marmering) geskandeer word. Dit kan beteken dat diere eerder op 'n ouer as 'n jonger ouderdom geskandeer moet word.

Teelwaardes vir karkas eienskappe bekend gestel

Genetiese Tendense Australiaanse Korthoring (1998) Louw Snyman is geakkrediteer om beeste te skandeerom in Suider-Afrika beeste te skandeer.

“Lewendige Ultrasoniese Metings bepaal met hoëakkuraatheid die uitslagpersentasie van die dier".


Kompet i s i e


Sussex: only a 1st place: A.R. Evans Nguni: only a 1st place: Omatjenne Proefplaas,

Otjiwarongo Namibië

Voermol's farmer of the Year/ Voermol se Beesboer vandie JaarNoordelike streek: Redgate BonsmarasOostelike streek: J.C. VenterSuidelike streek: F.C. Durow TrustAlgehele wenner: J.C. Venter

Seed Stock Breeder of the Year/ Stoetteler van die Jaar:Angus: 1st: Brian Angus

2nd: Philip Barnard3rd: Anton Pelser

Brahman: 1st: Loriza2nd: S & B Schneider3rd: Jan van Zyl

Brangus: 1st: Ferdi Naudé TrustLimousin: 1st: John Davenport

2nd: Ferdi Naudé TrustSanta Gertrudis: 1st: Amy Williams

2nd: Craig Marwick3rd: Annie Lock

Simbra: 1st: Arthur Bagot-Smith2nd: Llewellyn Angus3rd: Hardus Breedt

Simmentaler: 1st: Llewellyn Angus - 2nd: Johan Cloete 3rd: Stephan Voigts

Sussex: only a 1st place: A.R. Evans

ALGEHELE WENNERS:Dairy breeds - SA Holstein:

1st: Dr. Hendriks - INOVULA (Edms) Bpk2nd: C.M. MacGillivray3rd: M.E. Crookes

Beef breeds: 1st: Brian Angus - SA Angus2nd: Llewellyn Angus - Simmentaler/ Simbra3rd: Philip Barnard - SA Angus

Afdeling: Koeigroep van die JaarVan links verskyn mnre. D. Phillips, bestuurder Huntersvlei,Viljoenskroon (Sussex); Craig Marwick, Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal(Santa Gertrudis); Kobus Naudé, Loriza, Nietverdiend (Brahman); DriesDelport, Boshof (Brangus); Llewellyn Angus, Arlington, (Simbra); BrianAngus, Arlington (SA Angus); John Devonport, Vaal (Limousin) en JanHattingh, Deraleyville (Simmentaler).

Voermol se Beesboer van die JaarVan links na regs verskyn mnre. Hendrik van Pletzen, tegniese bestuurder:Voermol-voere; Philip Strydom, bemarkingsbestuurder: Voermol-voere enborg; Carel Durow, kommersiële Sussexboer van Clocolan en wenner indie suidelike streek; Jan Venter, kommersiële Brangusboer van Volksrust enwenner in die oostelike streek; Neels van der Merwe, Voermol-verteenwoordiger, Volksrust; Neil Rissik, eienaar van Redgate Bonsmaras,Boons, en wenner in die noordelike streek; Renier Aveling,verkoopsbestuurder, oostelike streek en Eddie Stone, bestuurder byRedgate Bonsmaras. Mnr. Jan Venter is as die algehele wenner aangewys.

(Hooffoto) Die Landbouweekblad/Breedplan-kompetisie se eerste gala-geleentheid was in Bloemfontein aangebied. Hier verskyn van links mnr.Malcolm Baxter, nasionale algemene bestuurder: Pick 'n Pay-slaghuise enhoofborg van die kompetisie vir 'n tydperk van vyf jaar; dr. MichaelBradfield, direkteur van AgriBSA wat Breedplan Internasionaal inSuidelike-Afrika bedryf; mnre. Brian Angus van Arlington wat as diekompetisie se eerste Stoetteler van die Jaar aangewys is en AndriesGouws, Assistent-redakteur, Landbouweekblad (Pretoria). B

re

ed

pl

an

N

ew

s

-

Is

su

e

14

,

Ma

rc

h

20

04

Landbouweekblad/Breedplan se Stoetteler van die JaarIn die gewone orde verskyn mnre. Arthur Bagot-Smith (Simbra); D.Phillips namens Anthony Evans (Sussex); Llewellyn Angus(Simmentaler); mev. Norma Seyfferdt namens mev. Amy Williams(Santa Gertrudis); Kobus Naudé (Brahman); John Devonport(Limousin), Brian Angus (SA Angus) en Ferdi Naudé (Brangus).

Afdeling: Algehele wenners - SSuiwelrasseVan links staan mnre. Malcolm Baxter, nasionale algemene bestuurder- slaghuise by Pick 'n Pay; Gerrie du Preez, hoofbestuurder, SAHolstein-telersgenootskap; Dr. Kobus Hendriks van Heilbron, algehelewenner; mnre. C.M. MacGillivray van Howick, naaswenner en M.E.Crookes van Merrivale, in die derde plek.

BREEDPLAN kompetisie 'n wenner


Br

ee

dp

la

n

Ne

ws

-

I

ss

ue

1

4,

M

ar

ch

2

00

4



Aust. and NZ look to work closely with SA limousinAlex McDonald, CEO of the Australian Limousin made thefollowing comment regarding such an evaluation: -

The Australian Limousin Breeder's Society is keen to run ajoint BREEDPLAN analysis with the Limousin CattleBreeder's Society of South African. Already the Australiananalysis is run jointly with New Zealand and provided thereis adequate genetic linkage between theAustralia/NZ database and the LCBS ofSA database there could be a single

genetic analysis. The genetic linkagewill come from French sires that havebeen used by artificial insemination inthe three countries. The Australia/NZanalysis is a multitrait analysis whichprovides EBVs for 18 economicallyimportant growth, fertility and carcase

traits including an EBV for docility based on a five pointscoring system used by breeders in Australia and NZ.

"We look forward to closer relations with South AfricanLimousin breeders through this joint analysis" said AlexMcDonald, the General Manager of the Australian LimousinBreeder's Society.

BREEDPLANBREEDPLAN INTERNATIONAL BEEF RECORDING SCHEME

C/- Agricultural Business South Africa, 54 A Main Road, IRENE 0062

Ph: +27-12-6675258 Fax: +27-12-6675259 Email: [email protected]

Combined eva luat ion

gene, which has been used with a lot of success inSouthern Africa.

The US research is based on the calpain 1 gene,which weakens muscle fibres during ageing and isinhibited by calpastatin.

Genetic Solutions Scientific Director Jay Hatzel saidthe new test was as effective in identifying geneticallytender cattle as the first generation test released 12months ago. "Data from extensive trials in bothAustralia and the US show this is a major step forwardin assuring consumers a great eating experience. It'sa very exciting development for the beef industry", DrHetzel said.

Special prices for GeneSTAR tenderness 2 testing areavailable to previous GeneSTAR customers.

Genetic solutions

For further information, contact AgriBSATel: +27(0)12 - 667 5258e-mail: [email protected]

New generation beef tendernesstest announced continued

News from Aust. and NZ is that thesetwo countries are keen to implement aroutine "tri-nations" genetic evaluationwith South Africa


Documents

QHerdMASTER bl 12 Q Congratulations Southern Africa News/2003 (Southern Afric… · without the sponsorship from Pick 'n Pay. Their big sponsorship is much appreciated. FNB, Beyer