B+LNZ led the first pilot trial of Finishing Value (FV) as part of the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme at a recent Frankton calf sale. FV is being trialled as a tool to help buyers make more informed decisions by indicating calves’ estimated genetic potential for growth.
Download Pilot Finishing Value factsheet (PDF, 586KB)
A further line of calves with FV will be offered at the next Frankton sale on Monday 2 November, with buyers also able to view on bidr.
Expressed in kilograms, FV estimates a calf’s genetic liveweight advantage at 18 months compared with a standard beef-on-dairy calf. The higher the figure, the greater the estimated growth potential. It combines genetic information from the sire and dam to help buyers compare eligible calves alongside visual assessment, health and suitability for their systems.
Putting performance information to the test
Genez Limited General Manager Ben Watson helped facilitate the entry of calves into the sale and said the pilot offered an opportunity to bring more transparency to calf purchasing decisions.
“It’s fantastic to see this level of transparency at point of sale. As with any new tool, there’s an important education piece to build on, but giving farmers the ability to select animals based on their expected additional kilograms of live weight gain is a game changer for the beef industry.”
One example of the pilot FV in action was a pen of 105kg Hereford–Friesian cross bulls that recorded the sale’s highest FV at +38kg and sold for up to $1,260 per calf ($12/kg). The result provided an early example of how FV could help buyers identify and place value on calves with higher estimated genetic growth potential.
Watson said the measure was underpinned by robust research and data, which would be important in building farmer confidence.
“We know New Zealand farmers respond well to new tools when they are backed by robust research, reliable data, and trusted information. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Beef-on-Dairy Progeny Test has a decade of robust data underpinning the Finishing Value (FV), giving farmers confidence that it can help identify genetics linked to improved animal performance and greater value.”
Based on the day’s schedule, Watson estimated that the higher-FV calves could deliver around 19–20kg of additional carcass weight compared with a standard beef-on-dairy animal, potentially worth $180–$200 per head. These are estimates, not guaranteed outcomes, as actual performance will depend on factors such as feeding, animal health and farm management.
Developing a tool farmers can trust
B+LNZ Relationship and Engagement Manager Lucy Coleman said the pilot was an important step in assessing whether practical performance information could support purchasing decisions.
“FV is about giving farmers another piece of information to help them assess the potential of the calves they’re buying. It’s not intended to replace the importance of looking at the animal in front of you, but to complement that assessment with an indication of its genetic growth potential.”
Coleman acknowledged the industry partners who helped make the pilot possible.
“We’d like to acknowledge NZ Farmers Livestock and Genez for including the pilot Finishing Value in the sale and putting forward calves to make this trial possible. The calculation also draws on the work and information provided by DairyNZ, LIC and breed society estimated breeding values, alongside B+LNZ’s Beef-on-Dairy Progeny Test data.”
The pilot FV is a trial commercial measure, not a breeding value. It is part of the wider Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) Programme, a sector-wide initiative jointly delivered by B+LNZ, DairyNZ, the Meat Industry Association and members of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
A further trial will be undertaken to assess whether FV is fit for purpose, including how useful it is for buyers and sellers in real-world sale settings. Feedback and learnings will help determine how the measure could be refined and tested further.
For beef farmers, FV could provide an additional way to compare eligible calves on estimated growth potential, helping inform stock selection and identify opportunities to improve finishing performance and returns. Further testing will help establish how useful the measure is in practice.
Importantly, this work is also about testing ways to create stronger market signals for the use of high-performing beef genetics in dairy herds. By helping buyers place greater value on calves sired by high-performing beef bulls, it’s an opportunity to strengthen the connection between genetic merit and commercial value across the supply chain.