Simplifying ram selection

FARMERS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED to make use of the free, online tool nProve. nz to help them find the rams that best meet their breeding objectives.

B+LNZ genetics operations specialist Sarah Powdrell says nProve was launched last year and was developed with input by farmers, for farmers.

“It presents data in an easy-to-use format to allow farmers to objectively compare genetics.”

She says when using nProve, farmers need to identify and prioritise the traits that are important to them and then through a series of buttons and sliders, describe what they need from a breeder.

“For example, if facial eczema or parasite resistance are important traits, farmers just move the sliders to see the top flocks for those traits.”

Powdrell recommends farmers have a play with the tool. As the sliders are moved, nProve will identify options nation-wide that best match an individual’s selection criteria. The options can then be narrowed down further by region, breed and birth year.

NProve was built with commercial farmers in mind by B+LNZ Genetics, a levy-funded division of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

“Eye appraisal alone doesn’t cut the mustard compared to ratings based on comprehensive data on an animal and its family members.”

“There’s a balance.”

Powdrell acknowledges the difficulty of juggling lots of figures for a range of traits on ram sale day, especially with the addition of new traits as science emerges.

“We’re often told by commercial farmers that ram buying is getting more complicated.”

• Supplied by Beef + Lamb NZ