Talooby Field Day Report and Pictures
Report: The Land 10/6/2010
Images: Ben Simpson
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Whether it be a cow that produces an extra calf or a bull that lasts one more breeding cycle, Dick Whale believes the longevity of the breeding herd can have huge implications on commercial beef enterprise profitability.
Mr Whale, Independent Breeding and Marketing SErvice, Wangaratta, Victoria, highlighted longevity, calving ease and growth rate as key important breeding goals to maximise herd efficiency.
"Longevity can be worth a fortune in your commercial herd," Mr Whale said.
At the Talooby Angus field day last Friday, Mr Whale presented estimates of the potential net benefit to a 100-cow herd gained from cow and bull longevity.
The net benefit of cows that produce an extra calf in a 100-cow herd was shown to be as much as $20,000 per generation, while the benefit of an extra season from a bull was about $500.
Mr Whale said in the future he would like to see the development of a longevity estimated breeding value.
Longevity is a concept that has long been adopted by Peter Grieve, Talooby stud, Rylstone
Mr Grieve has adopted a policy whereby cows are maintained in the herd if every year they are able to produce a calf o acceptable weaning weight.
Under this policy, some cows with superior longevity have lasted into their teens at Talooby.
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