Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has unveiled a new tool to help sheep farmers better understand the genetics in their flock and make more informed decisions.
nProve Tracker gives farmers a clearer picture of where their flock sits, where there is room to improve and how ram buying decisions can influence performance over time.
The tool was developed through the joint B+LNZ-Ministry for Primary Industries’ Cool Sheep® Programme and unveiled to sheep breeders at B+LNZ’s Sheep Breeder Forum on Tuesday 19 May.
“The nProve Tracker tool has been developed to make flock genetics easier to see and use on commercial sheep farms,” says Dr Jason Archer, Head of Genetics at B+LNZ.
“It will help farmers understand the value genetics can bring to productivity, efficiency and profitability.
“Using ram purchase and mating information, it builds a reliable picture of the average genetic merit of a flock. Over time, farmers can see where their flock sits overall, giving them a benchmark to compare genetic potential with what they are seeing on farm.
“That will help farmers focus on the right next step by showing where the biggest opportunity is, whether that’s in management decisions, genetics, or both.
“We know farmers are already investing in good rams, and this tool will help show what that investment is building in the flock over time. It will give them something practical they can use to back up decisions and spot where the next gains might come from.”
Dr Archer says the tool could also help farmers better show the value in their flock over time.
“A clearer picture of flock genetics will help recognise the investment made in quality rams and provide useful information when selling surplus stock or making longer-term business decisions.”
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says nProve Tracker is part of a broader suite of practical tools B+LNZ is developing for farmers.
“It’s a practical example of how B+LNZ is using farmer levies to deliver value back to the sector, giving sheep farmers useful tools to make genetics part of everyday farm decisions.”
The tool will also be demonstrated to farmers during the Science sessions on 20 May at B+LNZ’s Out the Gate conference in Christchurch.
Farmers can visit www.nprovetracker.nz to find out more information about the tool.
The Cool Sheep® Programme, is supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries and a range of organisations including B+LNZ.
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