ASBP Cohort 9 – Nominations OPEN

Nominations are OPEN for the next joining round of the Angus Sire Benchmarking program (ASBP) to produce the Cohort 9 progeny. This joining program will take place in September to November of 2018.

To compete step 1 of the nomination process CLICK HERE.

Approximately 40 bulls will be selected for the 2018 joining program with the aim to join each bull to at least 50 Angus cows by fixed time AI. The bull selection criteria will be based on genetic diversity, breeding values/indexes and their relationship to sires already used in previous Cohorts of the ASBP. Preference will also be given to early nominations.

Benefits of Bulls Entering the ASBP

• Be involved in cutting edge Angus research in areas such as genomics, immune competence, beef quality and nutrition.
• Close genetic linkage to the ASBP reference population ensures outcomes, particularly in the genomics area, will have high relevance to your herd. This is particularly important in the recent transition of the Angus TACE analysis to the single-step model.
• High density DNA profiles will be stored for current use (e.g. sire verifications, single-step TACE analysis) and future research.
• Receive high accuracy EBVs, particularly for hard to measure traits such as net feed intake, abattoir carcase data and female reproduction.
• Receive progeny average values and sire ranking from within the ASBP, including traits such as MSA Index and MSA Marble Score.
• Be involved in Australia’s largest beef cattle progeny test program including large contemporary groups.

Key Steps

• Step 1 – Nominate bull(s) via the online form before Monday August 6th, 2018. To nominate please CLICK HERE. Preference will be given to early nominations.
• Step 2 – Breeders of successful nominations will be contacted (by mid-August 2018), provided with a Bull Owners agreement for signing, Veterinary and Health Declaration form and semen requested.
• Step 3 – Bull owners organise semen (120 straws) to be delivered to Agri-Gene, Wangaratta, VIC before September 5th, 2018. All semen will undergo independent quality checks at this stage.

Other considerations:
Bulls entering the program must be:

• Genetic Condition free (AM, NH, CA and DD).
• BVDV (aka Pestivirus) free by diagnostic test.
• Campylobacter (aka Vibriosis) and Leptospirosis free through vaccination (i.e. double vaccination plus annual booster), or laboratory diagnostic test via EMAI.

Entry Fee
All bulls that enter the ASBP joining program will attract an entry fee of $2500 (plus GST) for Australian Bred Bulls and $4000 (plus GST) for overseas bred bulls.

Contact
If you have any questions in relation to the nomination process or the ASBP in general please contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au