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National Angus Beef Herd The National Beef Herd (NBH) which has recently been relocated back to Saladero Farm is a herd of 54 Angus cattle. These cattle are fully performance tested with calf birth, weaning and yearling weights being recorded and the progeny selected on superior growth, milking ability (of cows) and carcase and fertility traits.
For those farmers who prefer Hereford, Shorthorn, Red Poll or other beef breeds the NBH offers an opportunity for farmers to breed superior Angus cross calves having the advantage of hybrid vigour. These progeny will have superior growth rates over purebreds to meet target carcase specifications for both the local and future export markets as well as the heifers having superior milking ability and fertility because of their inherent genetic background of strong selection for milk production and fertility traits. The NBH has evolved from a composite of breeds and types of cattle from all over the Falklands to a line of mostly purebred Angus cattle. In 2008 seven Angus heifers were purchased from the Bold Cove herd on West Falkland and along with 10 heifers by Turihaua Campbell (NZ) out of the mainly Angus NBH cows, formed the new nucleus of the herd. These heifers were joined to the Te Mania Ultra ET sired bull with all but one heifer being pregnant following a 6 week joining. One heifer has produced and successfully reared twin heifer calves.
Both of these herds have put a lot of selection pressure on ease of calving, growth, milk production and higher yielding, higher quality carcase traits. The high performing cows in both of these herds are moderate sized, efficient cows that use food energy more efficiently and have been selected for improved pathways for partitioning fat deposition as marbling fat in preference for putting it on their backs as excessive wads of subcutaneous fat. Under tough New Zealand high country and Australian drought conditions these cows rear fast growing calves and get back in calf readily over a 6 week joining period. They exhibit the hardiness traits that are so important for productive beef cattle in the Falkland Islands and will be enhancing these traits in future generations of NBH cattle that the original selection of NBH cows would have been carrying If you are interested in leasing NBH bulls, inspecting the herd or learning about performance recording or improved beef production from your herd, the DoA welcomes farmers and anyone genuinely interested to visit Saladero and view the herd. Please contact Brian Aldridge, the Saladero Farm Manager, on 27357 to make an appointment. |
Copyright ©
Department of Agriculture 2010
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The
key aim of the NBH is to breed genetically superior Angus cattle and disseminate
the genes from this small herd to Falkland Island farmers who are interested in
producing quality young beef for the local and export beef markets. Currently
there are 4 embryo transfer bred, 3 year old bulls sired by Te Mania, Perry
Power and Classic Rock bulls available for sale or lease. Depending on how they
measure up for growth rate, testicle circumference and conformation there are
likely to be 6 or 7 young bulls offered for sale at the Saladero ram and bull
sale in this coming autumn. These young bulls will also be available for lease
to farmers.
The
intention is to breed from this relatively small herd, genetically superior
bulls and heifers that are on a par with the best performance and progeny tested
Angus cattle available in the world. Semen has been purchased from both Te Mania
and Lawson Angus both of which are herds that started performance recording
their cattle in the Pert Angus group in the 1960’s. Te Mania originally started
out as an Angus stud in North Canterbury, New Zealand and has had a major sister
stud for the past 50 years in Western Victoria, Australia. Lawson’s Angus has
been in the Angus seed stock business since 1969 and are the largest Angus seed
stock producers in Australia.