Intergrated Angus Progeny Test Research Program

Summary

The AAA Progeny Test Program is based at Werribee Agriculture's commercial Angus herd, Melbourne. Nominated test bulls are benchmarked against proven, high accuracy reference sires. Test sires are randomly artificially inseminated to 100 females each, to ensure a good statistical representation of steer progeny per sire. The AAA Progeny Test Program is unique in its ability to manage large contemporary groups from birth until slaughter. All calves are identified and weighed at birth. All male calves are steered and weighed regularly from weaning through to feedlot entry. Feedlot performance is recorded and carcase data collected and compared with ultrasound scanning data collected before feedlot entry. Heifers are also weighed and scanned. Net Feed Intake data is also collected on two groups of 60 steers annually representing test and reference sires at Agriculture Victoria's Rutherglen Research Station. All data collected from the AAA Progeny Test program is sent to ABRI to be included in the Angus Group Breedplan analysis to improve the EBV accuracy of the sires. PROGENY TESTING AAA Spring