A-A is equal of Continentals…

22 February 2002




A-A is equal of Continentals…

By Jeremy Hunt

North-west correspondent

ABERDEEN-ANGUSES cattle are now in a position to compete with Continental breeds, particularly for breeding suckler herd replacements, with recorded herds showing the necessary improvement in recent years, says one breeder.

John Moores, who runs the Moss herd with his wife Jane, has recorded the performance of his Aberdeen-Angus cows and progeny for more than 40 years with good results.

The herd has retained its status as one of the highest ranking best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) Angus recorded herds in the UK, despite a self-imposed five-year ban on buying-in cattle. This was in order to satisfy a research project undertaken with Liverpool University.

Each of the four bulls sold at Perth ranks in the breeds top 1% on estimated breeding values (EBVs). Two have Beef Values of AA35 and AA38. They are by Fergal of the Moss with a Beef Value of AA35.

"The breed has made tremendous strides in recent years. We now have the power, scale and shape to compete with Continentals and we have lost none of the fleshing or eating quality," says Mr Moores.

Monthly calf weighings have always been the norm at Northmoss Farm, Formby on Merseyside. But the farms 145ha (360 acres) of sandy, sea-level pasture – which flood in winter and burn-up in summer – do no favours for the 100 pedigree Angus cows with calves to suckle.

"We are achieving some remarkable calf weights, but grassland is poor and cows are outside all year round. Calf performance is all down to the cows genetic potential to milk and that is the result of strict selection," says Mr Moores.

A bull calf born in spring 2001 has just achieved the highest 300-day weight recorded in the herd at 531kg. He was weaned at seven months old and received no creep while suckling. His dam has a Beef Value of AA33.

The Moss herds females – most are in the breeds top 10% on EBVs – have an average Beef Value of AA25 compared with a breed average of AA16. Several cows in the herd share the top EBV of AA38.

Recent sales of bulls to commercial producers have seen an increasing interest in Moss sires bought primarily to produce suckler replacements.

"Signet figures for bulls are impressive, but cow performance holds the key. And while the trait for milking ability is important, commercial producers should remember that with Angus genetics they are infusing replacements with the breeds reputation for beef quality and fleshing."

Moss herd manager, Angus Baillie, says the breeding policy will continue to set even higher targets for performance.

"We want bulls to be 150kg above the breed average at 400-days. There are 105 young bulls born after December 1999 on the Angus BLUP list, eight were sired by Moss bulls and all are in the top 1% for Beef Value," says Mr Baillie.

Modern Angus bulls, with a depth of performance recording behind them, have an important role to play in producing suckler herd females.

"Commercial producers running Limousin-cross cows should consider an Angus for producing replacements. And, any steer calves would be worth just as much as a three-quarter Limousin," says Mr Baillie.


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