FEMALE HERD MANAGEMENT

Te Mania Angus cows are run in mobs of up to 600, in a cell grazing system.  Running cows in a commercially economic environment places physical restrictions on the herd so uneconomic traits are quickly identified and culled.  This management system places physical restrictions on the herd so uneconomic traits are quickly identified and culled.  The system acts as a filter to quickly identify and adverse genetics that may slip through the scrutiny of genetic selection.   

It is also very important to have mobs running in large contemporary groups to ensure that Breedplan Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are as accurate as possible.

Te Mania Angus females are downgraded to the recipient herd or culled, according to the Te Mania Angus selection criteria -

1. All females must have a calf every 12 months in line with the joining period.
2. All females must have a live calf unassisted.
3. All females must have structural assessment scores between 3 and 7, including udders and teats.
4. Only a good temperament is acceptable.
5. All females must have EBVs which will increase profitability.
6. All females must maintain themselves in a desirable condition score.  

All calves are weaned at four months of age. Early weaning has been introduced to enhance rumen function and to allow the mothers a better run through the Autumn and Winter.

The calves are weighed and tagged with an NLIS tag and stud tag on the day they are born. They are weighed again at weaning and at 400 days, when they are ultrasound scanned for marbling, fat cover and eye muscle area. Heifers are weighed again at 600 days and all this data is submitted to Breedplan.

Cows are weighed at weaning, which is processed for the Mature Cow Weight EBV.

All the cow herd mating details are recorded with Group Breedplan, which calculates a gestation length EBV. Short gestation length is a crucial EBV to use along with Birth weight when selecting young bulls to use over heifers.