High demand for top females

BY KYLIE NICHOLLS

AS BRANGUS studs across the state prepare for the inaugural BLING sale, demand for quality female genetics is at an all-time high, according to Brangus Australia chief executive officer Tessa Pearson

Ms Pearson said while demand for Brangus genetics has been quietly building for over a decade, the last few years have seen an exponential increase in the breed's popularity

"Interest in Brangus cattle is nationwide, and is a trend reflected in saleyard reports and premiums being paid at store and prime cattle sales, as well as in stud stock sales, especially over the past twelve months," she said

"While fertility and adaptability are hallmarks of Brangus breeding stock, it seems beef producers have also recognised the flexibility of the Brangus female and their exceptional mothering ability

"The combination of great calving ease, milking, mothering ability and fertility has enabled producers and users of Brangus genetics to achieve excellent calving percentages

"The Brangus female also does a top job of raising their calves, in both nutrition and protection from predators, right through to weaning "

Ms Pearson said the growing demand for Brangus females was evident last year with stud females at the Roma and Rockhampton Brangus sales averaging 48 per cent higher higher than

2021, and achieving 100pc clearance rates

This demand was also reflected in other multivendor and private Brangus sales in 2022 and early this year

"We are also seeing in- creased demand for performance-recorded and genetically profiled Brangus females," Ms Pearson said

"This performance and genetic information enables producers to make better-informed selection decisions and Brangus stud breeders have put an increased emphasis on quality data collection in recent years "

Ms Pearson said the investment in genomic profiling of seedstock animals by Brangus Australia has also grown significantly

"In 2015 only five pc of registered Brangus animals had DNA profiles, while 50pc of animals are now genomically tested," she said

"In 2022, more than 40pc of females were genomically profiled, despite it not being a requirement for registration

"DNA is being utilised by breeders as a crucial selection tool for their own herds, as well as providing dependable marketing benchmarks for potential buyers "

An exciting addition to the Brangus stud stock sales calendar this year is the Brangus Ladies Invitational

Notable Genetics (BLING) sale on Thursday, April 27, at Paradise Lagoons, between Gracemere and Rockhampton

According to Ms Pearson, the BLING sale will provide a rare opportunity for breeders to secure genetics from highly regarded Brangus seedstock producers

"The heifers selling in this sale would normally be retained in the herds of the vendors, so this is a unique opportunity to access elite female genetics," she said Brangus genetics can now be seen in herds throughout Australia, from far north Qld, to alpine regions in southern NSW, and into southern Victoria

"The Brangus has proven it can adapt and perform in a wide range of environmental conditions and climates," Ms Pearson said

"Brangus also lend themselves to crossbreeding operations, whether producers are transitioning to a black herd or maintaining a red breeding base "

■ Details: For more information visit brangus. com.au