Characterisation of beef cattle breeding industry structure

Paul .L. Charteris and Dorian .J. Garrick
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

ABSTRACT

The structure of the beef cattle industry, from a breeding viewpoint is characterised by registered herds from which bulls are sold to: other registered breeders; commercial beef cattle farmers and dairy farmers. The structure of the beef cattle industry has an influence on the rate of genetic gain within registered herds and delays in transfer of genetic merit (via bull sales) to commercial beef cattle herds. This project characterised New Zealand's beef industry in terms of numbers of commercial and registered cattle.

Identified beef cattle breeds on 500 New Zealand Meat and Wool Boards' Economic Service Survey Farms in 1992/1993 were Angus (21%), Angus x Hereford (13%) and Hereford (12.5%). Percentage of steers and heifers slaughtered at Manawatu Beef Packers (MBP) between March 1993 and April 1994 (n= 30,786) were Angus (28%), Angus-cross (21%), Hereford (9%), Hereford x Friesian (9%) and Simmental-cross (9%). Due to misidentification of breed, cattle slaughtered at MBP may not be representative of the national beef cattle kill.

An estimated 64,000 breeding cows were registered in New Zealand in 1995, comprising 20,000 Hereford (including Horned and Polled cattle), 18,000 Angus and 8,400 Simmental. Assuming 40% of bulls are culled within registered herds (unavailable for sale), an estimated 16,700 bulls would be sold annually from registered herds, comprising 4,200 Hereford, 2,600 Angus and 1,900 Simmental. Approximately 43,000 breeding bulls are used in the beef cattle industry each year. Some 40% of Angus, 56% of Hereford and 10% of Simmental bulls are sold to dairy herds with 50, 45 and 70% of all female progeny of these bulls being slaughtered respectively. Profitability of terminal sires is dependent upon calving ease, production efficiency and carcass traits. Maternal traits are of additional importance in situations where heifer progeny are retained. Determining how bulls are utilised in the commercial beef cattle industry is important in developing selection objectives for beef cattle and assessing potential beef industry benefit from selection.

Keywords: Beef cattle; industry structure; Angus; Hereford; Simmental