Beware of extreme trait selection......
The MA Approach
Our reputation is only as good as the last drop of bulls offered for sale.
The Manchee Ag breeding program has always been to deliver cattle that breed consistently for the commercial cattleman, delivering superior profits. We are continually striving to improve our cattle further and benchmark them against other producers.
The depth and quality of our female herd has always been a high priority and this is the key factor to the consistency and predictability of our sale bulls. Over 90% pregnancy test rate is expected of our females and there is no compromise, with strict culling for fertility. We have always maintained the belief in the females behind the bull breeding operation and have worked with a belief that if the females are feminine and fertile we will produce muscular, masculine and virile bulls.
Meat quality and the end product are of vital importance to the beef industry and it is our duty as genetic suppliers to provide bulls to breeders that produce beef the consumer will enjoy to enable market share to be gained.
Profit is the priority.
Commercial Benefits
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Superior Fertility
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Birth weight all calves
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Boost Marbling
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Length = Weight
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Market Acceptance
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High Meat Quality
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Feed Efficiency
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Increase Muscle
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Structural soundness
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High Weight Gain
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Single sire Joinings
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Forage prepared bulls
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Personal Client Advice
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Performance recorded
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Semen Tested
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Worked with Horses & Bikes
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No Foot Trimming
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190,000kg & Counting
Manchee Ag has been performance recording since Breedplans Inception in 1974.
Recently, John birth weighed the 5000th calf for breedplan recording. This calf was a Durham Tropical heifers first calf (pictured above).
Your probably asking why 190,000? This is because the average calf recorded in this time was 38kg thus the total calves weighed in kg is 190,000!!!
Our Priorities Are........
We are always actively tightening the selection criteria for animals that stay in the herd. Our selection criteria does not change across the different breeds of cattle we have.
Fertility is paramount and is the most important individual factor that drives profitability. A calf every year WILL make you money. All females return a positive pregnancy test and calve EVERY YEAR.
As beef producers we are still being paid by weight so this is undoubtably one of the driving factors in profitability, never take your eye off this trait.
Cattle must survive and thrive, year in year out, regardless of the season. Adaptability is vital for survival, regardless of the environment.
Cattle must be able to move over the country efficiently and be sound in udder and testicles to reproduce and rear a calf every year. Udder and testicle placement are of utmost importance.
Eating quality is about gaining market share and increasing profits. We are in the 'food' industry but this factor is often overlooked by 'beef' producers.
Yield of saleable meat relates to the proportion of beef produced per acre of country owned. Yield will affect the demand of product and the bottom line.
We live and breath cattle and spend far too much time with them to tolerate bad temperament. Quiet cattle decrease handling time and lower OH & S risks.
All females calve unassisted at two years and must show excellent mothering ability. Calf weight is only a fraction of the calving ease issue. It is our responsibility to supply adequate forage to our females whilst improving our soils.