Seven Hills Angus Bull Sale 2024

Thursday 27th June 2024, 11.30am

Inspection of the bulls is welcomed anytime by appointment and will be available for viewing for 9am on sale day. Stud Principal: Bryan Bendall P: 027 243 3449 • E: sevenhills@inspire.net.nz

Foreword

Welcome to Seven Hills Angus 11th on farm bull sale. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to view our bull sale catalogue.

We seem to be hearing more about the maternal aspect of a cow herd, the interesting part is that no one has been able to define “maternal” or measure it. We find that we select for all traits of economic importance which includes getting in calf at 14 months and continuing to get in calf each year subsequently, plus have an acceptable body condition score late winter in comparison to the rest of the contemporary group of cows they are run with.

I would like to include here a quote from the ABS Global – Beef facebook page recently;

“Industries shift and adapt as changes in technologies, tools, and access to data come about. The beef industry is no exception to that rule. For many years, the cow/ calf sector of the beef supply chain has made breeding decisions aimed at maternal traits. While we are not suggesting this is a wrong approach, we do just suggest considering your market place and how you get paid for the product you are producing. In some circumstances, putting a greater focus on terminal traits could be the most profitable choice.”

The beef outlook is positive for New Zealand prime and grinding beef for the next few years mainly due to the USA having a very low cow inventory and their herd rebuild has not started and Australia is in a similar position beef wise. Please be wary of tempting to take shortcuts with your investment in bulls this year. Genetics are predictable and cumulative.

We have sets some EBV benchmarks for our two year catalogue, minimum 200 day EBV of 40 and a minimum IMF EBV of 1.9.

We fully recognize that our best business model is to help our customers become more profitable and we don’t take it lightly when customers come back to us for another season of genetics.

Our guarantee of the bulls for sale is second to none.

Est 1957

“Passion drives us to do the best for the land, our animals and the red meat consumer and we feel it is our responsibility as a seedstock producer to get it right, everytime.”

Bryan & Nicki Bendall

“I personally guarantee your commercial bull purchase/ purchases to the end of the first breeding season against injury or death” Bryan.

Please note that if you are unable to attend our sale we a running the sale simultaneously on Bidr. Please take the time to get registered with Bidr before the day.

We look forward to seeing you on June 27th. Feel free to come and view the bulls prior to sale day.

Regards Bryan and Nicki Bendall

History

Founded in 1957 as Nirvana Stud by the late Graham Bendall with the purchase of heifers from Te Aratipi and over the following 15 years cows were carefully selected by Graham from higher maternal families at dispersal sales. Graham changed the stud prefix to Shalom in 1984 but continued his philosophy of breeding strong maternal female lines. In 1999 Bryan purchased the herd from Graham and has since purchased herds from Otiro and Te Kupe along with females from Inuku Heights, Standen, Shian and Turiroa.

The challenge and knowledge obtained from combining these herds along with our Waigroup herd has proven to be exciting and stimulating and now we are moving into the phase of combining carcase genetics with those strong female lines.

As a matter of interest, Bryans grandfather R O Bill Bendall named his ballot block Nirvana after finding a wool bale stencil in the Seven Hills woolshed in 1949. Nirvana carried the stud prefix for 27 years and Shalom carried the stud prefix for 27 years and now Seven Hills will keep the stud prefix for the next term. Seven Hills Farm was purchased in 2001 and had been Bills first choice of the two farms back in 1949.

Our Breeding Philosophy

Tough cattle. Tender beef. That’s what everyone wants, yet not everyone currently has this in their farming system. Ultimately, it’s all about profitability.

The maternal Angus beef cow needs to be as efficient as possible. In brief, this means she breeds a live calf in a short gestation, and once that healthy calf is on the ground it drinks abundant milk, grows fast and finishes with a high yield.

The Angus beef cut from the finished carcass must be high in marbling, tender and juicy. This is what the consumer demands and without consumer demand, profitability will decrease. It sounds like basic stuff but if we’re not producing what the end consumer wants to eat, we’ve already lost the battle.

Coming back to our cow; she can’t be too big, as she needs to get around in the hill country and she needs to be able to live off the smell of an oily rag.

So what does it take to get all these ducks in a row?

Genetics + Feed + Management = Quality Beef.

Genetics, this is where Seven Hills comes into the equation. The basics are all here; we’ve got the good constitution, the cattle are sound, they’re fertile, they’re tough and yet docile at the same time. We know this because our selection processes have culled the ones that aren’t, a long time ago. As far as the genetics go, we’re on an upward plane and with access to the most current genetics using AI technology, our cattle are continually improving, as fast as the breeding cycle will allow.

Passion drives us to do the best for the land, our animals and the red meat consumer and we feel it is our responsibility as a seedstock producer to get it right, every time.

We do business with a handshake and we stand behind our cattle, 100%.

Sale Information

OSH

Every effort will be taken by the vendors, their staff and assistants, both on the day of the sale as well as on any other visits of inspection, to ensure the safety of intending buyers and visitors.

However we wish to advise that this is a farm run under normal management conditions and certain dangers exist in relation to livestock and their environment. Visitors should take care to ensure their personal safety.

BULL HEALTH

All bulls in this catalogue have passed the following tests and inspections:

TB Clear C10 Brucellosis Free

• BVD Negative

• BVD Vaccinated

• EBL Negative

• 5-1 Vaccinated

• Lepto Vaccinated Tararua Breeding Centre Bull Fertility Evaluation

CONDITIONS OF SALE

1. The sale will be conducted under the usual conditions of the NZ Stock Station Agents Association.

2. All intending purchases must register at the sales office prior to the sale.

3. A rebate of 6% is available to agents who attend the sale or introduce their client prior to sale day, and settle on behalf of clients within 14 days.

4. All bookings and accounts will be processed by Carrfields.

5. The sale will be conducted purchased price plus GST.

6. TERMS will be strictly cash before delivery of any animal unless prior arrangements are made with Bryan Bendall (Full settlement is due within 14 days of sale).

7. Each lot becomes the responsibility of the purchaser at the fall of the hammer.

bidr® - Livestream Available

This sale will be hosted by bidr® (www.bidr.co.nz) as a HYBRID auction, with online bidding and a livestreamavailable on sale day, as well as the normal onfarm format.

All intending ONLINE purchasers must register on bidr® in advance of the sale date, by visiting the website and using the “sign up” button, adding their contact information and nominating the agency they would like to purchase through and account held with that agency. Alternatively, purchasers can organise an agent from one of the agencies listed on bidr® to buy on their behalf. The bidr® team is always available to help purchasers get signed up and registered, and the HelpDesk is proudly managed in-house from the Waikato.

Please call 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437), or email enquiries@bidr.co.nz for assistance at any point.

VENDOR DISCLAIMER

Whilst all due care and attention has been paid to the compilation of this catalogue, neither the vendors nor the selling agents or representative(s) thereof assume any responsibility whatsoever for correctness, use or interpretation of the information on animals included in this sale catalogue.

ANGUS AUSTRALIA DISCLAIMER

Animal details included in this catalogue, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Index values, are based on information provided by the breeder or owner of the animal. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information provided in this catalogue was correct at the time of publication, Angus Australia will assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information, nor for the outcome (including consequential loss) of any action taken based on this information.

PARENT VERIFICATION SUFFIXES

The animals listed within this catalogue including its pedigree, are displaying a Parent Verification Suffix which indicates the DNA parent verification status that has been conducted on the animal. The Parent Verification Suffixes that will appear at the end of each animal’s name.

PV: both parents have been verified by DNA.

SV: the sire has been verified by DNA.

DV: the dam has been verified by DNA.

#: DNA verification has not been conducted.

E: DNA verification has identified that the sire and/or dam may possibly be incorrect, but this cannot be confirmed conclusively.

PRIVACY INFORMATION

In order for Angus Australia to process the transfer of a registered animal in this catalogue, the vendor will need to provide certain information to Angus Australia and the buyer consents to the collection and disclosure of that information by Angus Australia in certain circumstances. If the buyer does not wish for his or her information to be stored and disclosed to Angus Australia, the buyer must notify in writing to Angus Australia. If Angus Australia is not notified, then the buyer will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of such information.

CARING FOR YOUR NEW BULL

You have just invested in a Seven Hills Angus Bull. To ensure you get the best return on your investment, we have a few suggestions on how to look after him – and you can be sure, that he’ll look after you.

• Your bull(s) has been running with a large mob of other cattle and will be leaving the security of familiar surroundings to arrive in a strange environment. Make sure he has several steers or cows to join him on arrival if he is on his own.

Keep a regular watch over your bulls when he is out with his mating group. Observe him serving, especially in the first week.

• Seven Hills bulls are used to being handled by stockmen on motorbikes with dogs. The bulls have been trained to respect electric fences. It still pays to handle them quietly with respect and consideration.

If you follow these simple, but important ideas, you will get many years use from your bull.

Any problems or concerns, please phone immediately

EBV Comparison

An EBV comparison between the breed average EBVs and 58 Seven Hills Angus 2022 born sale bulls.

Seven Hills Sale Bulls

New Zealand Angus Breed Average

Australian Angus Breed Average

Calving Ease Traits

Calving Ease (CE DIR) Calving Ease Daughters (CE DTRS)

Gestation Length (GL)

Growth Traits Maternal Traits

Traits

2024 TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation EBV Trends

Graphs of the Seven Hills herd compared with TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation breed average EBVs.

Seven Hills Herd Angus Australia Breed Average

Intramuscular Fat EBV (%)

This is an estimate of the genetic difference in the percentage of intramuscular fat at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase. Depending on market targets, larger more positive values are generally more favourable.

Mature Cow Weight EBV (kg)

This is based on the cow weight when the calf is weighed for weaning, adjusted to 5 years of age. This EBV is an estimate of the genetic difference in cow weight at 5 years of age and is an indicator of growth at later ages and potential feed maintenance requirements of the females in the breeding herd. Steer breeders wishing to grow animals out to a larger weight may also use the Mature Cow Weight EBV.

AngusPro Index ($)

Estimates genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a self-replacing commercial Angus herd, targeting the production of grass finished steers for the AngusPure programme. Steers are assumed marketed at 525 kg live weight (280 kg carcase weight and 10 mm fat depth) at 18 months of age with a significant premium paid for marbling.

Beef Class Assessment Guide

Beef-Class Structural Assessment Guide

How to do BeefClass Structural Assessments

For docility– 1 is Ideal (Docile), 3 is less ideal (restless) and 5 is aggressive. (Scores of 1 and 2 are preferred).

For traits scored 1-9:

• 4 and 6 show slight variation from ideal but this includes most animals. Any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be acceptable in any breeding program.

• 3 and 7 shows greater variation, but would be acceptable in most commercial breeding programs, but seed stock producers should be wary.

• 2 and 8 are low scoring animals and should be looked at closely before purchasing.

• 1 and 9 should not be catalogued and are considered culls.

For trouble-shooting please contact Alastair Midgley:

PH: (03) 612 6671

MOBILE: 0274 768 036.

“The fundamental breeding basics are already there. We are now focused on bettering the eating experience for the end consumer.”

- Bryan Bendall

PERCENTILE BANDS TABLE

PERCENTILE BANDS TABLE

PARADIGM SHIFTS IN PUREBRED INDUSTRY

Twenty years from today we may look back and proclaim the greatest shift was our ability to accept change and move from an industry that has been primarily a production-oriented business to one that is focused on not only providing a great product to consumers but connects with consumers in a way that they also appreciated and understand that what we do is regenerative and sustainable. I think going forward we all need to expand our participation in how we make our industry more sustainable so we can maintain it’s viability and provide a solid financial foundation by which our enterprises can be successfully transitioned to the next generation.

- Bill Rishel

The decision to ignore marbling in the cow herd is a decision to accept the opportunity cost associated with it. Beef farmers and finishers with at least a degree of focus on targeted carcass merit (marbling) will see significantly larger quality premiums when their finished calves are processed for premium branded markets compared to the average.

The exciting piece of this philosophy is that marbling comes at no cost to other production traits.

As for the bulls, we strive now more than ever to bring you an offering of animals that have something to offer everyone in our customer base. We do this without forgetting that the consumer is eventually a customer of ours. When you study the average EBVs, Indexes for this group of bulls, keep in mind one of our goals is to continue to produce cattle of extreme value that are capable of passing valuable traits on to their progeny for our customers. When we offer seedstock in sales, we are asking our customers to trust the data; they do not have to understand how it is “Formulated”, but we owe them a commitment that their purchases will have genetic longevity, work in their environments and predictably replicate the process.

We constantly remind our customers, both seedstock and commercial, that we are ultimately in the food business. We are committed to producing cattle with predictable genetic ability to be outstanding mothers that give birth to vigorous calves with explosive growth that continue to have value throughout the supply chain. But at the same time, we feel that we are producing some of the finest females in the industry. Some breeders say you cannot produce both, but I believe we can, and are.

NEVER COMPROMISE

These aren’t just words, it’s what we believe in. We are committed to never compromising in our pursuit of breeding exceptional beef cattle. Our cattle are bred from proven highperformance genetics and we raise them in an environment that tests their worth. We are focused on consumer demands and recognize the ultimate outcome is supplying an incredible natural products that enriches lives. Every dollar into our industry comes from a consumer – we strive to breed what they demand most.

A, B: Total solar eclipse, 8th April 2024, 3pm. At STGenetics Tiffin Ohio, USA.

C: Sale day June 2023

D: Cows and calves resting before being set stocked with twinning ewea, 15 November 2023.

E: Beef, Sheep and bees late December 2023. F, G, H: Cow and calves summer 2024

I: Bill and Judy Austins very last scanning job, legends.

We don’t push our bulls when preparing them for sale. Big weights is not a priority. Longevity of the breeding life of our bulls for their new owner is. Our bulls are sold in their working clothes, vet checked and ready to work.

ANGUS HeiferSELECT

AN ADVANCED GENOMIC TOOL TO INFORM THE SELECTION OF REPLACEMENT HEIFERS FOR COMMERCIAL AUSTRALIAN ANGUS BREEDERS

The word “Angus” is one which is associated with quality, not just locally but globally.

The finest of that Angus is produced right here in New Zealand. At Seven Hills Angus we are proud to be an AngusPure Partner Stud and part of a group with a common focus on the end consumer while striving to create more reward for our bull buying clients by recognising the quality of our product, not just the quantity.

That’s why we have a strong focus on all the attributes by creating the most memorable eating experience for the consumer and at the top of that list is marbling, marbling, marbling!

From the purest place to the purest taste... creating the finest grass-fed eating experience, which is both consistent and memorable, for all the right reasons.

AUSTRALIA

Scan for more information. This

result of

collaboration between Angus Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company (MDC) (Project P.PSH.1063).

A product of Angus Australia, developed with CSIRO and delivered in collaboration with Zoetis and Neogen.

ANGUSPURE PARTNER

AngusPure NZ has teamed up with 88 Angus studs who share in our vision - to focus on the end consumer. This stud is proud to be named as one of them, and by using the finest genetics and implementing best management practice they can help you produce more premium quality Angus beef.

Only our AngusPure Partner studs display these devices in their sale catalogues. They indicate bulls endorsed by AngusPure NZ.

ANGUSPURE ENDORSED BULLS

AngusPure NZ continues to endorse bulls for sale that are either at or above +$125 for the AngusPure index (API) and at or above $115 for the AngusPRO index (PRO). These indexes give commercial farmers confidence that by using these selection tools, bulls are most likely to leave progeny with superior carcase quality. At the same time they achieve desirable outcomes for self replacing herds, as the AngusPure & AngusPRO indexes still reward cattle with strong maternal attributes like calving ease, scrotal and growth, along with carcase weight.

To qualify, bulls will be => +$125 for AngusPure index OR => +$115 for AngusPRO index

EXTRA ANGUSPURE ENDORSEMENT FOR MARBLING

In addition to the ‘A’, and to assist bull buyers who wish to select for more marbling AngusPure are rewarding those animals that are either at or above +$145 for the AngusPure index and at or above $135 for the AngusPRO index. In addition to this they must have an IMF EBV (for marbling) equal to or greater than +2.2. These bulls will be awarded an ‘A+’ endorsement. Marbling is one of the very highest eating quality attributes and is necessary in order to meet some of the highest premium requirements for the export program, AngusPure Special Reserve.

To qualify, bulls will be => +$145 for AngusPure index OR => +$135 for AngusPRO index, and in addition all bulls must be => +2.2 for IMF EBV

AngusPure NZ recognises the need to lift the amount of marbling in our New Zealand cow genetics, in order to fill the requirements of consumers going forward. Marbling has two critical components; genetics and feeding. Feeding on a rising plane of nutrition is vital but without the genetics these attributes will not be able to express themselves.

Everyone in the industry knows that profitability within a cattle system can be improved by making educated predictions with factual data. It’s scientifically proven.

AngusPRO are a group of New Zealand Angus studs that encompass over 40% of New Zealand’s registered Angus cattle. These studs have united and made the shift across the ditch, to join the progressive governing body that is Angus Australia.

Angus Australia pride themselves on their quality of leadership in the delivery of innovative programs that will enhance and promote the value of Angus cattle and beef.

Cleardale

Focus Genetics

Grampians

Kahurangi

Kakahu

Komako

Lake Farm Genetics

Mount Linton

Ngāputahi

Oranga

Ranui

Rimanui Farms

Rissington

Rotowai

Seven Hills

Stokman

Storth Oaks

Takapoto

Te Mania

The Sisters

Totaranui

Twin Oaks

Vermont

Village Farm

Wairere

Waitangi

Wakare

Whangara

The best insurance policy you’ll get on your bull this season.

• Allows you as a purchaser to be more confident that the progeny performance of the bull you purchase will match his figures

• Increases the accuracy of Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs and indexes for young Angus bulls, with limited or no progeny, daughters, or carcass information

• Increases the accuracy of Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs for time consuming, difficult, expensive and hard-to-measure traits, such as intramuscular fat and eye muscle area

Amy Hoogenboom Genetics

Area Manager

– Beef 021 199 0989 | amy.hoogenboom@zoetis.com

TOUGH CATTLE TENDER BEEF

Seven Hills Angus are firmly focused around two consumers, firstly you the beef farmer, and secondly the consumer of our NZ beef...

The Consumer of NZ Beef

Let’s start with the discerning beef purchaser who demands a superior eating experience every time

Globally marbling is seen as the major contributor to flavour in beef. All beef grading systems (including Beef EQ and AngusPure) have marbling as a major component of the grade index.

It starts with measurable taste Add to that meat colour, pH, fat colour and ossification. Now you have a product quantified by measurable traits that consistently (98%) deliver an eating experience to discerning purchasers of beef worldwide.

The Beef Farmer

We like our bulls to look like bulls, our cows to produce a live calf every year that grows quickly into profit.

The first part is easy - buy bulls you like the look of – no science, just good old eye appraisal.

The second part requires a bit more planning – these requirements should be on that list:

Low maintenance cost cow and the main indicator currently is the Mature Cow weight EBV.

Fertility – the main drivers of fertility are mating heifers at 14 months and then rebreeding. Look at the number of calves a cow has had and her dam, plus the Days to Calving EBV

Growth – as much as possible in the cow size you determine is appropriate.

Eye Muscle Area – muscle is weight and EMA helps increase carcass weight. More is better.

Fats – 1 Marbling/IMF is the good fat or the taste fat. Select for higher IMF. 2. Rib/rump fats are the outside fats. It is required for chilling the meat correctly and having some softness/cover on our cows but is very expensive to produce – the balanced approach is good

Carcass Weight – the higher the better your steers weigh on the hook, 50% is ordinary with 58–60% more than achievable. The carcass weight EBV is a major profit driver.

Statistics: Number of Herds: 49, Prog Analysed: 729, Genomic

Number of Herds: 28, Prog Analysed: 641,

Statistics: Number of Herds: 129, Prog Analysed: 2902, Genomic Prog:

1 son for sale, sold to Dean Wilson.

Breeding Better Business

As part of New Zealand’s largest Livestock network, our team of Genetics Specialists have more contacts, more reach and more market influence.

We provide more practical advice and more technical expertise. And, with the country’s largest network and most popular sales events, we bring together more buyers and more sellers, delivering more value for all.

If you’re looking for a planned approach to success, give us a call today.

Simon Smith

Genetics Representative/Auctioneer 027 444 0733

Callum Stewart

National Genetics Manager 027 280 2688

Cameron Smith

Livestock Representative 0274 469 963

Bjorn Andersen

Livestock Manager 027 440 5888

Craig Harvey

Livestock Representative 027 498 0737

Mark Crooks

Livestock Representative 027 590 1452

Lockie Shanks

Livestock Representative 0278 491 111

Dean Lindsay

Livestock Representative 027 442 1753

- Bryan Bendall

“A large number of AI sires are used across the herd, the key motivator being that it increases the accuracy of the herd’s estimated breeding values (EBVs).”

Performance Starts Here

Sarah Horrocks, AngusPRO Magazine 2024

“When your business sits at the beginning of the supply chain, the obvious way to create demand is to look to the end of that same supply chain and find out what is wanted or needed.”

Est 1957

When your business sits at the beginning of the supply chain, the obvious way to create demand is to look to the end of that same supply chain and find out what is wanted or needed.

Bryan Bendall at Seven Hills Angus has done his research and knows that for taste and flavour in beef, IMF (intramuscular fat) is the only answer.

Seven Hills has been artificially inseminating (AI) their entire herd of 250 mixed age Angus cows and 110 heifers for more than 10 years.

“To get more IMF we needed to shift to high-performance AI sires, and we’ve never looked back,” Bryan says.

At just under 1500ha with 200ha of finishing country in the middle, Seven Hills in Pahiatua is a medium to steep hill country property that is typically summer-safe and has a slow spring. They don’t calve till late October – 100 days later than the other Angus studs – to align with peak grass growth in mid-November.

The later calving does mean their bulls are younger than others when they’re sold in late June. The annual bull sale sees 60–70 high performance 18-month-old bulls sold, with 30 of them well suited to heifer mating. Another 20 bulls are also sold by private treaty as two-year- olds in the spring.

The AI sires used by Seven Hills are sourced from anywhere in the world, but predominantly from Australia and America.

A large number of AI sires are used across the herd, the key motivator being that it increases the accuracy of the herd’s estimated breeding values (EBVs).

“I’ve been going to America every year since 2013 to educate myself,” Bryan says.

It’s about more than just assessing potential sires phenotypically. He spends a lot of time visiting studs such as Gardiner, which sells 3000 bulls annually, Connealy Angus

– Bryan Bendall

who sell 550 bulls (all penned in their sire groups), the AI Centres, and talking with Certified Angus Beef and others about international consumer demands and trends.

“We were looking at feed efficiency 10 years ago, so it’s great to have that EBV now available with our animals on Angus Australia’s database.”

Bryan stresses that constitution should be the most important aspect of every beef cow herd and Seven Hills is no exception to that.

The AI work starts in January, with the mixed age (MA) cows doing a single cycle and then going out with herd sires for another two cycles. The R1 heifers do two cycles of AI since they’re easier to manage without calves at foot, and then have a follow-up bull for a single cycle.

“Our AI uptake is 55% in the heifers and 65% in the cows –industry standard.”

The main herd sire is Storth Oaks Rover R104. He’s a standout in the top 5% for IMF in both the Australian database and the World Angus Evaluation.

“He’s 5.4 for IMF.”

The other follow-up bulls used are Seven Hills yearlings, which are subsequently sold in June.

Bryan says that while IMF is a huge focus, the reason he doesn’t typically use NZ bulls is due to their lack of data.

He has strict criteria for bull selection, which sees mature cow weight capped at 90, and calving ease has to be in the top 50% – the Seven Hills birthweight EBV hasn’t shifted in the last 20 years. “That’s been a big focus for us.”

On the other hand, growth has increased substantially through careful selection of bulls, with the right EBVs to bring in as much growth, EMA and carcass weight as possible.

“We also put our money where our mouth is and won’t sell a bull under 1.9 for IMF.”

The IMF levels in the herd are not only seeing the demand for sale bulls increase but Bryan is also reaping the benefits of the Alliance Handpicked program – he’s processing 70 R2 heifers annually and fetching the highest premiums available.

The sale bulls are run in a single mob through their first winter after weaning. Then as the 400 day weights are taken, they’re split into two mobs (based on weight). At EMA and IMF scanning in January, the bulls are split down again into their sale mobs of 30–40 bulls.

The feed program is straight grass all year round, with baleage given to the bulls for sale preparation only.

The farm is 50/50 sheep and beef and originally focused more on its performance recorded Romney sheep. There are 3200 ewes with 500 of those recorded, but Bryan is the first to admit that he’s let the sheep recording slide since his younger days.

While Seven Hills has always sold a few rams to regular clients, Bryan’s enthusiasm was piqued recently when he had years of IMF scanning of his ram hoggets validated in a private testing trial in the central North Island.

“I placed first, second and third for three years in a row, so I’m quite enthusiastic about the sheep again,” he jokes.

The Romney rams are bought from Piquet Hills and Ngāputahi and Bryan is finishing all his lambs, processing through Alliance.

For most of the year the sheep and cattle run together on

the hills in a rotational grazing system. The cows and heifers are calved on the flats for ease of tagging and weighing at birth. Once the calves are 15 days old they’re walked back onto the hills to be set-stocked with the twinning ewes until January when they’re mobbed up again for AI.

The hills are abundant with manuka – 500ha scattered across the farm. Bryan and wife Nicky are in a joint venture with The True Honey Company, who supply the hives, extract the honey and store it. This brings in some business diversification, as well as having 200ha of the manuka in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Bryan Bendall is passionate about marbling in both sheep and cattle. He knows it’s what gives meat its taste and flavour and he knows that genetics, feed and good management will fetch premiums right throughout the supply chain.

“The

feed program is straight grass all year round, with baleage given to the bulls for sale preparation only.”

- Bryan Bendall

Understanding the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE)

What is the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation?

The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation is the genetic evaluation program adopted by Angus Australia for Angus and Angus influenced beef cattle. The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation uses Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) technology to produce Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of recorded cattle for a range of important production traits (e.g. weight, carcase, fertility).

The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation is an international genetic evaluation and includes pedigree, performance and genomic information from the Angus Australia and Angus New Zealand databases, along with selected information from the American and Canadian Angus Associations.

The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation utilises a range of genetic evaluation software, including the internationally recognised BLUPF90 family of programs, and BREEDPLAN® beef genetic evaluation analytical software, as developed by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), a joint institute of NSW Agriculture and the University of New England, and Meat and Livestock Australia Limited (MLA).

What is an EBV?

An animal’s breeding value can be defined as its genetic merit for each trait. While it is not possible to determine an animal’s true breeding value, it is possible to estimate it. These estimates of an animal’s true breeding value are called EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values).

EBVs are expressed as the difference between an individual animal’s genetics and a historical genetic level (i.e. group of animals) within the TACE genetic evaluation, and are reported in the units in which the measurements are taken.

Using EBVs to Compare the Genetics of Two Animals

TACE EBVs can be used to estimate the expected difference in the genetics of two animals, with the expected difference equating to half the difference in the EBVs of the animals, all other things being equal (e.g. they are joined to the same animal/s).

For example, a bull with a 200 Day Growth EBV of +60 would be expected to produce progeny that are, on average, 10 kg heavier at 200 days of age than a bull with a 200 Day Growth EBV of +40 kg (i.e. 20

kg difference between the sire’s EBVs, then halved as the sire only contributes half the genetics).

Or similarly, a bull with an IMF EBV of +3.0 would be expected to produce progeny with on average, 1% more intramuscular fat in a 400 kg carcase than a bull with a IMF EBV of +1.0 (i.e. 2% difference between the sire’s EBVs, then halved as the sire only contributes half the genetics).

Using EBVs to Benchmark an Animal’s Genetics with the Breed

EBVs can also be used to benchmark an animal’s genetics relative to the genetics of other Angus or Angus infused animals recorded with Angus Australia. To benchmark an animal’s genetics relative to other Angus animals, an animal’s EBV can be compared to the EBV reference tables, which provide:

• the breed average EBV

• the percentile bands table

The current breed average EBV is listed on the bottom of each page in this publication, while the current EBV reference tables are included at the end of these introductory notes.

For easy reference, the percentile band in which an animal’s EBV ranks is also published in association with the EBV.

Considering Accuracy

An accuracy value is published with each EBV, and is usually displayed as a percentage value immediately below the EBV.

The accuracy value provides an indication of the reliability of the EBV in estimating the animal’s genetics (or true breeding value), and is an indication of the amount of information that has been used in the calculation of the EBV.

EBVs with accuracy values below 50% should be considered as preliminary or of low accuracy, 50-74% as of medium accuracy, 75-90% of medium to high accuracy, and 90% or greater as high accuracy.

Description of TACE EBVs

EBVs are calculated for a range of traits within TACE, covering calving ease, growth, fertility, maternal performance, carcase merit, feed efficiency and structural soundness. A description of each EBV included in this publication is provided on the following page.

CEDir %

UNDERSTANDING ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES (EBVS)

Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s calves to be born unassisted from 2 year old heifers.

CEDtrs %

GL days

BW kg

200 Day kg

400 Day kg

600 Day kg

MCW kg

Milk kg

DtC days

SS cm

CWT kg

EMA cm2

Rib Fat mm

P8 Fat mm

Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s daughters to calve unassisted at 2 years of age.

Genetic differences between animals in the length of time from the date of conception to the birth of the calf.

Genetic differences between animals in calf weight at birth.

Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to genetics for growth.

Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 400 days of age.

Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 600 days of age.

Genetic differences between animals in live weight of cows at 5 years of age.

Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to the maternal contribution of its dam.

Genetic differences between animals in the time from the start of the joining period (i.e. when the female is introduced to a bull) until subsequent calving.

Genetic differences between animals in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age.

Genetic differences between animals in hot standard carcase weight at 750 days of age.

Genetic differences between animals in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.

Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.

Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the P8 rump site in a 400 kg carcase.

RBY % Genetic differences between animals in boned out saleable meat from a 400 kg carcase.

IMF %

NFI-F kg/day

Genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat (marbling) at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.

Genetic differences between animals in feed intake at a standard weight and rate of weight gain when animals are in a feedlot finishing phase.

Doc % Genetic differences between animals in temperament.

(shape and evenness of claws).

(strength of pastern, depth of

differences in rear leg structure when viewed from the side (angle at front of the hock).

Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a typical commercial self replacing herd using Angus bulls. This selection index is not specific to a particular market end-point, but identifies animals that will improve overall net profitability in the majority of commercial, self replacing, grass and grain finishing beef production systems.

Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers.

Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers.

Lower EBVs indicate shorter gestation length.

Lower EBVs indicate lighter birth weight.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier mature weight.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.

Lower EBVs indicate shorter time to calving.

Higher EBVs indicate larger scrotal circumference.

Higher EBVs indicate heavier carcase weight.

Higher EBVs indicate larger eye muscle area.

Higher EBVs indicate more fat.

Higher EBVs indicate more fat.

Higher EBVs indicate higher yield.

Higher EBVs indicate more intramuscular fat.

Lower EBVs indicate more feed efficiency.

Higher EBVs indicate better temperament.

indicate a lower score.

EBVs indicate a lower score.

EBVs indicate a lower score.

Higher selection indexes indicate greater profitability. $PRO

Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self replacing herd based in New Zealand that targets the production of grass finished steers for the AngusPure programme. Steers are assumed marketed at approximately 530 kg live weight (290 kg carcase weight with 10 mm P8 fat depth) at 20 months of age, with a significant premium for steers that exhibit superior marbling.

Higher selection indexes indicate eater profitability.

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