With pay outs tipped to decline and farmers wanting to reduce their operating costs, CRV Ambreed’s progeny testing programme is one way to get the latest genetics and other herd improvement products and services at a lower cost.

CRV Ambreed progeny testing programme coordinator, Simon McLachlan, said that to gain maximum return on investment, farmers choose bulls with high reliabilities to get the greatest amount of genetic gain for their herds, with as little risk as possible. But, they can’t achieve this without the progeny testing programme.

“The programme allows CRV Ambreed to identify superior trait leaders and market these as proven bulls,” said Mr McLachlan.

“Hundreds of potential superstars are considered each year to build the team of bulls to progeny test. We select the bulls based on their breeding value, pedigree and phenotypic traits, so farmers can access the latest genetics at a lower price.”

Any farmer can join the programme. They must maintain an excellent standard of records for their herd, use a minimum of 80% of the herd in the programme, herd test four times each year on a classical am/pm testing model, and complete and assist with TOP inspections, live-weight and body condition scoring when requested.

“Progeny testing is fundamental to the future of our industry and we need more farmers to take part,” said Mr McLachlan.

“It gives us the information we need to select the bulls that will fit well into our herds to make us more profitable in the future.”

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