March 17, 2022

New Zealand Meat Board invests US$680,000 annually in to beef genetics programme

The New Zealand Meat Board is investing up to NZD 1 million (US$680,000; NZD 1 = US$0.68) annually in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) genetics programme, which is focused on increasing the use of genetics in the beef sector, New Zealand Herald reported.

The board's decision, subject to consultation with farmers, means they will collaborate with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) in supporting a Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) seven-year partnership, which aims to increase the sector's profits by NZD 460 million (~US$312 million) over the next 25 years.

The beef genetics programme is made up of five components, which includes constructing a genetic assessment and data infrastructure, progeny test herds, breeding objectives and indices, generating new data sources, and assisting farmers in adopting new genetic information

B+LNZ Genetics is leveraging on its genetic engine for sheep to build a similar engine for beef. This will combine phenotypic, genotypic and genomic data to calculate breeding values for agreed traits.

Through the programme, commercial farmers will be able to source the right genetics for their environment and farm and drive greater profitability.

Andrew Morrison, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board, said its objective is to manage quotas in export markets to help achieve the best possible returns and manage industry reserves.

The board has previously assisted in the development of B+LNZ Genetics' sheep development together with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

-      New Zealand Herald