Beef Progeny Test: Call for bull nominations

Friday 5th July 2024

B+LNZ Genetics are excited to call for bull nominations for the 2024-mating of the B+LNZ Genetics Beef Progeny Test at Pāmu’s Kepler farm near Te Anau and Lochinver Station near Taupo.

Building on the current Beef Progeny Test, this Progeny Test will be fundamental to a multi-breed evaluation by providing both linkage between breeds and the collection of New Zealand data to be able to accurately estimate hybrid vigour.

Nominations are open to Angus, Hereford and Simmental bulls.

Angus and Hereford cattle will be Artificially Inseminated in December 2024 (Kepler) and January 2025 (Lochinver). Angus and Hereford bulls will be used across both breeds of cows. Simmental bulls will be used across Angus cows at the Lochinver site.

Birth weights will not be collected, but first-calving heifers will be recorded for calving ease. Steer progeny will be finished, and carcase grading information collected. 

Both pure-bred and first-cross heifer progeny will be retained (as commercially viable) and evaluated under natural service for at least their first two matings. Trait measurements collected will be similar to the previous Beef Progeny Test programme. 

Entry cost

There will be no entry cost for the duration of this Progeny Test.

Semen collection logistics and cost to be covered by the breeder.

Selection Criteria

Bulls which have been used (or will be used this year) by more than one breeder – linkage.
Bulls which have been used in international projects providing ability to collaborate internationally.
Diversity in breeding objectives allowing a wide range of herds the opportunity to participate.
Bulls with attributes that offer something to the industry and that breeders might use in their own herd.
Bulls that will help the participating Progeny Test herds meet their goals which are similar to the rest of the industry, including suppling to programmes which incentivise carcase quality.
For Hereford and Simmental, the preference of using polled genetics only.

Important information

Bulls must come from herds implementing industry best practice recording programmes and using genetic evaluation/EBVs.
Each bull selected will be used across at least 50 beef cows. In most cases, semen will be used across multiple years, to contribute to robust links across years. A minimum of 40 straws will be used in the first year a bull is submitted.
Selection of bulls will be made by a selection panel comprised of B+LNZ Genetics staff, representatives from both Progeny Test sites and Massey University (Dr Nick Sneddon) - providing cross-reference to the Dairy Beef Progeny Test.
The Progeny Test will not accept sires from farms under Mycoplasma bovis control. This includes Infected Properties, properties under Restricted Place Notice, Notice of Direction and Assessment.

How to submit a bull

All nominations will be managed online. Please submit your bull information using the link below. Nominations must be received by Friday 23 August.

Step 1: Click the link below to open the form

Step 2: Fill out bull nomination details

Step 3: Click Submit

Step 4: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.