TECHNICAL ADVICE
Discover genetics fit for your purpose Finding the right sheep genetics for your farming operation is about to get a lot easier. A new tool from Farmlands partner, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics has been released to replace FlockFinder and RamFinder. Called “nProve”, the improved genetic technology was rolled out to sheep farmers at the beginning of September. nProve is based on new software and technology that provides greater transparency. This makes it easier for farmers to identify breeders producing rams that best
“One of our core strategies is to
fit their own set of circumstances.
develop tools that will make adoption of
Over recent seasons, farmers have
genetic information as easy as possible.
had access to New Zealand Terminal
With nProve, farmers are able to quickly
Worth (NZTW) and New Zealand
identify ram-breeding flocks at the top
Maternal Worth (NZMW) indexes – a
of their own customised scale.”
single figure indicating the genetic
The tool has been developed in
worth of one ram, versus another.
partnership with the Red Meat Profit
With nProve, commercial farmers can
Partnership (RMPP). In addition to
now customise what they are looking
seeking input from commercial farmers,
for in their ram team, using simple
B+LNZ Genetics also worked closely
slider scales to indicate the specific
with its community of SIL sheep
traits important for their operation.
breeders and bureaux, particularly
The result is a list of breeders who
in the final testing phase to fine
have rams that best fit the purpose
tune the tool prior to its release.
defined by the commercial farmer.
“There has been a lot of ground
B+LNZ Genetics’ Sheep Genetics
covered since the first preview of
Operations Specialist Sarah Powdrell
nProve was shared with breeders
says the tool’s tag line says it all:
– we’ve rolled out four packages
“discover genetics fit for your purpose.”
of updates to the tool in response
WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ
to feedback. The discussion and ideas submitted from our breeder community throughout this process has been invaluable,” B+LNZ Genetics IT Programme Manager David Campbell says. Farmlands and B+LNZ solidified their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2020. Farmlands’ Director of External Relations, Mark McHardy is impressed by the new software. “This new genetic technology is an excellent example of the opportunties shareholders will now have access to. Farmlands see supporting exciting initiatives like nProve as integral to the success of the partnership,” Mark says. To find out more, visit www.nprove.nz
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