BEESTS
Blueprint for Ecologically and Economically Sustainable Trait Selection - a Breed Development Plan for
Linebred Erica cattle – by Greg Rhodes
Consistent management practices are the key to the success of the BEESTS Breed Development Plan.
By standardising calving, joining, weaning and slaughter dates to suit expected climatic conditions for
optimum production, a more predictable product will be consistently produced. Careful selection methods,
supplemented by the use of modern technology (GeneStar) will aid the economic production
The keys to economic sustainability are high outputs from low inputs.
Carcase evaluation, dressing % and Saleable Meat Yield at 450 days will identify superior genetics within
the breed and improvement in these characteristics will be monitored from the beginning of the project.
Milk quality and quantity can be tested in a dairy situation from those animals which show the most
potential.
Proposed Activity Timetable
• May – Calving
• August 1 – Joining & Marking
• February 28 – Weaning
• July 31 - Slaughter
Blueprint for Ecologically and Economically Sustainable Trait Selection - a Breed Development Plan for
Linebred Erica cattle – by Greg Rhodes
Consistent management practices are the key to the success of the BEESTS Breed Development Plan.
By standardising calving, joining, weaning and slaughter dates to suit expected climatic conditions for
optimum production, a more predictable product will be consistently produced. Careful selection methods,
supplemented by the use of modern technology (GeneStar) will aid the economic production
The keys to economic sustainability are high outputs from low inputs.
Carcase evaluation, dressing % and Saleable Meat Yield at 450 days will identify superior genetics within
the breed and improvement in these characteristics will be monitored from the beginning of the project.
Milk quality and quantity can be tested in a dairy situation from those animals which show the most
potential.
Proposed Activity Timetable
• May – Calving
• August 1 – Joining & Marking
• February 28 – Weaning
• July 31 - Slaughter
Harviestoun
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