With mating season upon us, it’s a good time to revisit the topic of crossbreeding – and how this breeding method benefits commercial beef breeding cow herds. Crossbreeding to achieve breed complementarity and hybrid vigour, or ‘heterosis’ if we are using the technical term, has been a feature of cattle breeding since as early as … Read more
Once upon a time Simmental cattle were brandished with a reputation that saw them commonly rated as having less than desirable temperament. However, fast-forward to more recent times and the narrative is certainly very different according to Simmental New Zealand President, Colleen Knauf. “The Simmental of today’s world is increasingly recognised for having a positive … Read more
In the midst of a global pandemic, an associated economic downturn and a widespread drought close to breaking historic records, the agricultural landscape is facing much uncertainty right now. Farmers are having to change tact and make new decisions about their operations on a daily basis. Whilst there is a lot of change afoot, one … Read more
The Simmental breed has long been known for its growth and carcass attributes – a reputation that was further validated last year in Beef and Lamb’s Beef Progeny Test (BPT) results. With the right genetics and the right management, Simmental or Simmental cross calves are very capable of reaching optimal slaughter weights, without the need … Read more
The topic of polled/horned cattle has become increasingly topical in the seed stock industry in recent years, and even more so when the new legislation came into effect in October, mandating the use of local anaesthetic for the dehorning and debudding of any animals in New Zealand. The reasons for wanting to eliminate horns from … Read more