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…
