Herefords Australia, in conjunction with AGBU and ABRI have implemented a World First, multi-country Single Step genetic evaluation for the full multi-trait BREEDPLAN analysis, including fertility, growth, and carcass traits. The first EBVs to be calculated using the new Single Step system were released to Herefords Australia members on the 27th of October of this…
Cawkers Well station at Wilcannia, NSW sold a line of Hereford weaner steers for $4.30/kg on Auctions Plus on Friday October 13th. The lot of 46 steers averaged 169.9 kgs, with a top weight of 230kgs. This is a great result considering the station has only received 80mm of rain in the last 12 months. Joel Townsing, owner of Cawkers…
Birth weight is an important economic trait in beef production systems as lower birth weights are associated with reduced incidence of calving difficulty, but unfavourably correlated with growth rate. Careful recording birth weight of calves allows Hereford breeders to obtain EBVs for Birth Weight, which in turn helps in breeding to minimise calving difficulties while…
Herefords Australia invites applications for the 2017 CM Hocking Memorial Scholarship. Applications will be considered from Australian citizens who are undertaking a course of study that will be applied to the breeding, care and maintenance of Hereford cattle and/or will be of benefit to the Australian Hereford industry. Applications are to be in writing and…
The recent introduction of the MSA Index and the expectation that some processors will move to a payment system whereby animals with higher MSA Index carcases will attract a premium price has caused renewed interest in the marbling potential of animals. While the MSA Index is influenced by multiple factors, both environmental and genetic, the…
In 2015, Herefords Australia, in conjunction with the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (ABGU) and Southern Beef Technology Services (SBTS), began development of a Genomics Policy. The aim of this Genomics Policy is to develop and enhance genomic selection for Australian Hereford cattle. During this process there has been much discussion around the challenges associated…
One question I am asked by Hereford breeders is “Given Herefords are such a quiet breed, why should I measure docility?” While Herefords have a justifiable reputation for being a quiet breed of cattle, variation for temperament in Herefords does exist, just as there is variation for other traits within the breed. The percentile bands…
There was an extremely strong contingent of Hereford exhibitors at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show, with many high quality animals on display. Brandon Sykes, of Mawarra B Hereford stud, Longford, had an exceptional show with his 14 month old bull; ‘Mawarra B Above and Beyond’. The young bull took out Junior Champion Hereford Bull and…
Sale Date: 12th September 2017 No. Offered: 50 No. Sold: 40 Average Price: $7400 Top Price: $22 000 Name of Top Price Animal: Wallan Creek Victory Blend L200 Sire of Top Price Animal: Wallan Creek Victory Blend G019 Purchaser of Top Price Animal: John & Leigh Galwey Stuarts Creek Roma QLD Sale Comments: Wallan…
Hereford genetics have excelled in this year’s prestigious Sydney Royal Beef Challenge. The unique, feedlot based competition is run by the RAS and held at Wilga Feedlot in Bellata. The competition represents all stages of the beef production process, from live assessment through to eating quality. Producers enter their cattle as a lot/team of six…
