Beef Progeny Test: Call for Bull Nominations

Friday 1st August 2025

B+LNZ Genetics is now inviting bull nominations for the 2025-mating of the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.

This Progeny Test is fundamental to a multi-breed evaluation by providing linkage between breeds and enables the collection of New Zealand-specific data to be able to accurately estimate hybrid vigour.

As part of re-prioritising its farm operations, Lochinver Station will be transitioning out of the Beef Progeny Test programme and will not be mating this season. We look forward to continuing to work with the Lochinver team as they complete measurements on the 2023 and 2024-born progeny, as well as the cohort of calves due this spring. This will ensure we continue to capture valuable data through to processing (excluding fertility traits as heifers will remain unmated).

With this change, the 2025 mating programme will be hosted solely at Pāmu's Kepler Farm, and nominations are open to Angus and Hereford bulls only.

Mating programme

Angus and Hereford cattle will be Artificially Inseminated in December with bulls used across both breeds of cows.

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.

Important Dates

Sunday 31 August 2025 - Nomination period closes
Friday 19 September - Nomination outcomes communicated
Friday 7 November - 65 straws required at Breeding Centres

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, 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.
Bulls will be selected by a panel comprised of B+LNZ Genetics staff, representatives from the Kepler Progeny Test site 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. Nominations must be received by Sunday 31st August.

Step 1: Click the link to open the form (button at top of page)

Step 2: Fill out bull nomination details

Step 3: Click Submit

Step 4: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.