Sunday, 06 March 2016 11:55

Best looking rams don’t necessarily deliver results

Written by 
The two farmers of the commercial properties which ran the trial Simon Wilson of Mt Hebert Station in Waipukurau (right) and manager of Taratahi’s Glenside Station Reuben McClean, Gladstone, say the trial confirmed for them that EBVs work. The two farmers of the commercial properties which ran the trial Simon Wilson of Mt Hebert Station in Waipukurau (right) and manager of Taratahi’s Glenside Station Reuben McClean, Gladstone, say the trial confirmed for them that EBVs work.

A North Island trial comparing the value of lambs sired by low versus high genetic merit rams validates that using genetic data does pay off.

The "Data Drives Dollars" trial ran this season and aimed to find out if genetic selection information – specifically, EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) – worked and if there was a financial gain from using rams with high genetic merit, or not.

It was a joint project between Massey University and red meat genetics company Focus Genetics, supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics. The trail was run at Mt Hebert Station in Waipukurau and Taratahi's Glenside Station in Gladstone.

Trial results showed lambs sired by rams with higher genetic merit were 0.7kg heavier at weaning – which was worth an average of $1.69 more per lamb, compared to those with lower EBVs.

Focus Genetics sheep and deer programme manager Dr Richard Lee says the results show that EBVs work in delivering a significant production outcome – which increases dollars returned.

"For an average farmer, based on the schedule of $5.85 on 12 November 2015, this would have increased returns by over $2000 per farm per year, and if taken across the industry could add significantly to New Zealand export returns," Lee says. "We now have evidence here in New Zealand that proves rams with higher genetic merit do produce heavier lambs which increases farmer returns.

"It is now up to the industry and individual farmers to decide if the commercial advantage is worth it," Lee adds.

The two farmers from the commercial properties which ran the trial, Simon Wilson of Mt Hebert Station and Reuben McClean, manager of Taratahi's Glenside Station, say the trial confirmed for them that EBVs work.

"This has demonstrated to me that there is a real and direct commercial gain from selecting rams with high EBVs," Wilson says.

McClean added that the evidence showed that the two properties with different feeding regimes and climates both had seen the benefit from the rams with higher EBVs.

"The results of this trial should give farmers confidence in knowing that when buying rams, those with higher proven genetic merit for growth will grow bigger lambs."

The results also took the 50-farmer strong working group by surprise when the heaviest and "best" looking ram they picked produced the lightest lambs and the ram no-one even looked at came out tops with his lambs at 2kg ahead.

Wilson says no one can see genetics.

"None of us picked him at the beginning or at the end of the trial."

McClean says just because a ram might be the best looking one in the paddock, it doesn't mean he will deliver the biggest lambs.

Lee says whether this study will now influence a significant change in farmers buying lambs on EBVs alone only time will tell.

"All the farmers who volunteered their time to be part of the working group were highly engaged throughout the trial, they sought robust answers and kept us under the spotlight."

The Data Drives Dollars trial took two teams of rams of both high and low genetic merit mated to 500 mixed-aged ewes on each farm.

The rams were selected based on estimated breeding values (EBV's) for live weight at eight months of age, and compared their progeny's live weight up to four weeks after weaning.

The ewes and their lambs were managed so that the only on farm variable was the sire 'team' of the rams on each farm throughout the trial.

 

Average farm example

Based on a 3000 ewe self-replacing flock with 30% of ewes (1000) put to a high EBV terminal sire, where all input costs are the same.

At 120% lambing producing 1200 terminal sired lambs to slaughter, current schedule at the time of $5.85 12 November 12 2015 it would return $2028 more at $1.69 per lamb average.

More like this

Winning back farmer trust

One year into her role as Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair, Kate Acland is continuing to work hard and win back farmer trust.

Tough times on farm

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland says while farmers are quite positive about the new Government, the economic situation on farm is "pretty brutal".

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter