B+LNZ Beef Programmes on Track

As the seven-year Informing New Zealand Beef programme reaches the halfway mark, its focus is shifting to extension, education and the development of genetic evaluation tools.
Dan Brier, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) General Manager Farming Excellence, says Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) is well on track to deliver on its overall purpose of breeding great-tasting beef underpinned by a strong environmental and welfare story.

New Meat Quality RBVs

Research Breeding Values (RBVs) have emerged as pivotal tools in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE), offering Angus breeders invaluable insights into the genetic makeup of their cattle. The recent introduction of two new RBVs, MSA (Meat Standards Australia) Marbling Score and Shear Force, marks a significant stride towards empowering breeders with the ability to make informed selection decisions aimed at enhancing the quality of beef products for the end consumer.

Building on a Legacy

It’s been a bumper season at Shenley Station, a sheep and beef hill country property near Albury in South Canterbury. So good in fact that Kate and John Hughes have just finished making and carting hay — the first time it’s been done on the farm in 20 years.

Redefining what’s Possible

When Tom Sanson and Dr Andrew Cribb took on the lease at Whangara in 2021, they knew they had to make rapid changes to bring the objectives of the stud back to fruition.

Three generations of Lane brothers have farmed Whangara, most recently the late Patrick Lane. Patrick had a big focus on using high-growth American Angus genetics that had carcass quality to boot. However, in more recent years, rightly or wrongly, the reputation of their structure had come into question and change was needed.

Cow Herd Efficiency

When you’re looking at efficiency in cattle there are two main aspects. There is profitability — maximum output from minimum input — and there’s environmental — every kilo of input produces methane so reducing input ultimately reduces the total methane emissions.

Neither of these concepts is anything new, however, the addition of the Net Feed Intake EBV on animals registered with Angus Australia has brought efficiency into the spotlight here in New Zealand.

Building Blocks of IMF

IMF gives beef its flavour, taste, tenderness and juiciness, and processors are rewarding farmers who deliver it in their cattle because the more there is, the more beef the consumer demands. The process of achieving IMF begins at conception, and there are a number of opportunities throughout the year when the farmer can get things right or wrong.