Angus HeiferSELECT - Generation 2 Hits the Industry

Christian Duff, General Manager Genetic Improvement

Angus Australia has officially launched Generation 2 of Angus HeiferSELECT. This was the focus of the Autumn 2022 Angus CONNECT event, which was streamed via Angus Australia’s YouTube Channel on May 26th, 2022. Angus HeiferSELECT is a product designed for Australian commercial Angus breeders wishing to utilise genomics to add precision to the selection of Angus replacement females, ramping up genetic progress in their overall beef herd. It was developed following 18 months work with Angus Australia’s R&D collaboration partner, CSIRO - Australia’s national science agency. In summary, Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2 provide 4 main sources of information including:

Angus BreedCHECK Genetic predictions 3 overall values DNA sire verification

for determining breed composition, focusing on Angus content for 13 commercially important traits i.e. Selection Indexes) covering Cow-Calf Value, Feedlot-Carcass Value and Total Breeding Value

More specifically, the topics covered in the Autumn 2022 Angus CONNECT event included: Official Launch of Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2

The new generation of Angus HeiferSELECT is now available as a genetic selection tool for commercial producers. Christian Duff (General Manager of Genetic Improvement) provides insight into the enhancements made to the product that will benefit the selection of Angus heifers in commercial herds.

View the full presentation HERE

The Science Behind SELECT

Angus HeiferSELECT provides precision to heifer selection through genomic based predictions, but how was it developed and work? Dr Toni Reverter (CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist) takes producers through the details as to the science and Australian focused data powering this on-farm tool.

Case Study – Producers using Angus HeiferSELECT

Fraser James, “Guy Fawkes Station”, Ebor gives a realistic and practical account of how Angus HeiferSELECT is utilised in his Angus breeding operation, why he chooses to use Angus HeiferSELECT and his experience with it so far.

The Road to Adoption

To date, Angus HeiferSELECT results have been provided on over 20,000 Angus heifers from over 60 Australian and New Zealand beef breeding herds, with exponential growth in its use observed. Lachlan Ayoub (Zoetis Senior Sale Representative – Genetic Specialist) provides his accounts from the field including how Angus producers are utilizing this product to enhance their beef breeding businesses.

Validation – Does Angus HeiferSELECT work?

How can we be sure that Angus HeiferSELECT works? This is the question answered by Dr Aaron Ingham (CSIRO Group Leader – Livestock and Aquaculture) as he talks through the validation behind Angus HeiferSELECT, ensuring that the research underpinning it translates into “in the paddock” results.

New Developments in the Commercial Genomics Space

Christian Duff (General Manager of Genetic Improvement) delivers a peek over the horizon at further enhancements to Angus HeiferSELECT and other genomic technology currently being developed for the commercial beef production space.

Further information on Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2, including a product flyer, technical specifications and background scientific literature can be accessed from the Angus Education centre (https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/education/ breeding-and-genetics/angus-heiferselect/) or Angus Australia website (http://www.angusaustralia.com.au/breeding/ animal-selection/angus-heiferselect/) If you have any questions about Angus HeiferSELECT please contact Angus Australia or our Genotyping partners: · Angus Australia – (02) 6773 4600 · Zoetis Animal Genetics – 1300 768 400 · Neogen Australasia – (07) 3736 2134