The B+LNZ Genetics Beef Progeny Test compares bulls under New Zealand commercial farming conditions. The test involves about 2000 beef cows and heifers and 1300 dairy cows each year, on four large properties across New Zealand. A mix of both internationally-sourced and New Zealand semen is used. 
 
From a beef farming perspective, steers and cull heifers are assessed on their carcase traits, while replacement heifers are tracked for their maternal characteristics.
 

 

The dairy strand of the test aims to calculate the additional value that can be added by using high-genetic-merit beef bulls over dairy cows that would otherwise be mated to follow-up bulls.

LINKS

Resource: Beef Field Day Whangara Farms - May 2019

SIRE LISTS AND REPORTS

BEEF  

 

DAIRY-BEEF

Sire Lists:

 

Sire Lists:

2023 Mating: Across-breed Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 4)
2022 Mating: Across-breed Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 3)
2021 Mating: Across-breed Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 2)
2020 Mating: Across-breed Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 1)

2019 Mating: Beef Progeny Test: List of sires (Cohort 6)
2018 Mating: Beef Progeny Test: List of sires (Cohort 5)
2017 Mating: Beef Progeny Test: List of sires (Cohort 4)
 

     

2024 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 10)
2023 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 9)
2022 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 8)
2021 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 7)
2020 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 6)
2019 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 5)
2018 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 4)
2017 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 3)
2016 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 2)
2015 Mating: Dairy-Beef Progeny Test (Cohort 1)

Reports:

  

Reports:

Aug 2024: Growth, Ultrasound Muscle Scanning
& Carcase Report (All Cohorts up to 2021 mating)
Jul 2023: Maternal Report
Nov 2022: Sire Performance Report  Growth,
Ultrasound Muscle Scanning & Carcase Report
Oct 2020: Sire Performance Report (Cohorts 1-5)
Dec 2019: Sire Performance Report (Cohorts 1-4)
Apr 2019: Sire Performance Report (Cohort 1-2)
Sep 2017: Sire Performance Report (Cohort 1 Full report)
Sep 2017: Sire Performance Report (Cohort 1)

 

Nov 2024: 400d weights for 2023-born calves
Jul 2024: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Report (Cohorts 1-8)
Oct 2023: 400d weights for 2022-born calves
Jul 2023: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Report (Cohorts 1-7)
Nov 2022: 400d weights for 2021-born calves
Jun 2022: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Report (Cohorts 1-6)
Nov 2021: 400d weights for 2020-born calves
Jun 2021: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Report (Cohorts 1-5)
Apr 2020: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Interim Report (Cohorts 1-4)
Sep 2019: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Interim Report (Cohorts 1-3) 
Mar 2019: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Interim Report (Cohort 3)
Nov 2018: Dairy Beef Progeny Test Interim Report (Cohort 1/2)

RESOURCES

Academic paper: Beef bulls for dairy herds
Checking out the gestation length EBV in Angus Breedplan
The value of the Dairy Beef Progeny Test - A farm systems modelling review (pdf)
Factsheet: Profitable Dairy Beef
 

BEEF PROGENY TEST OUTCOMES

As part of her PhD, B+LNZ Geneticist Franzi Weik, meticulously analysed data from the five commercial beef operations involved in the original B+LNZ Genetics Beef Progeny Test. Franzi's in-depth analysis has culminated in a series of insights tailored for stud breeders and farmers.