Angus CONNECT – A Focus on the ASBP

Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Angus CONNECT – A Focus on the ASBP took place in November 2021, with the online event putting a spotlight on the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). Hosted via the Angus Australia YouTube channel, Angus CONNECT invited all Angus seedstock and commercial producers to the online webinar covering the latest news and developments coming out of the ASBP.

Angus Australia’s Commitment to the ASBP - Sam White

Angus Australia President and Board Chairman Sam White opened the event reaffirming the announcement made in May 2021 whereby the Angus Australia Board approved a $3 million investment in growing the Angus genotype and phenotype reference population, particularly for hard-to-measure traits, through an additional five cohorts of the ASBP.

Overview of the ASBP - Christian Duff

Strategic Projects Manager, Christian Duff provided an overview of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, what the overall objective of the program is, the function of the program within the industry and where the program is up to currently.

Building a Reference - Steve Miller

The event was joined by Steve Miller, Director, Animal Genetics Breeding Unit, who gave a presentation on the importance of a reference population of animals and the tool that it validates in genomic selection.

A Breeder’s Perspective of the ASBP - Steve Chase

Chair and cow herd representative of the ASBP Consultative Committee Steve Chase, Waitara Angus, Trangie NSW joined the event to give a breeder’s perspective of the program. In his presentation Steve highlighted the benefits for both his commercial and seedstock operation to be a part of the program, the importance of the data that is provided to him as a commercial herd participating in the program, the validation of the data in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation and how the program and benchmarking in the breed sets Angus apart.

Latest Progeny Test Outcomes - Jen Peart

Angus Australia’s Northern Development Officer Jen Peart broke down the most recent progeny performance reports provided through the program as calves are comprehensively recorded, investigating the insights this data provides.

Carcase Take-Homes - Jake Phillips

Presenting on a recent piece of work, Angus Australia’s Breed Development Officer, Jake Phillips explored the variation seen in the value of carcases produced as part of Cohort 9 of the ASBP. Demonstrating an $800/head difference between the highest and lowest ranking sires.

Do EBVs and Selection Indexes Work? - Matt Reynolds

Breed Development Officer, Matt Reynolds presented on the validation of Estimated Breeding Values based on data collected from the ASBP, and how the research found the EBVs provide a reliable prediction of genetic merit of sires. Furthermore, the presentation investigated the use of selection indexes as an aid in the selection of animals for use within a breeding program.

Recent Outcomes and Future Opportunities - Christian Duff

Christian Duff concluded Angus CONNECT – A focus on the ASBP with an update on what’s new and what’s next for the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, discussing some exciting work in relation to methane emissions, pink eye and consumer meat quality.