More figures to assess the genetic worth of cattle can potentially confuse our bull-buying clients.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
To weigh up the merits of a little extra growth against a little less calving ease, or better carcass against less growth, can get complicated.
Thankfully IGS (International Genetic Solutions) has one main profit figure - the All Purpose Index (API).
This actually puts real dollar values on traits and weighs up which genetic combination gives the most returns.
IGS, with the world's biggest data bank of over 18 million cattle, compares over eight breeds of cattle and their crosses, from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, under the same figures. IGS calculates the costs and benefits of the cattle and puts it in one simple API value.
This year the Hicks Beef spring bull sale team averages in the top 5 per cent of the API. We believe this to be one of the first sales worldwide to offer such an elite group of high profit bulls.
The Hicks Beef Red Angus bulls, analysed under the less advanced Australian Breedplan system, averages in the top 5 per cent of the Supermarket Index.
