Alpine BREEDING PHILOSOPHY

The objective of Alpine Angus is to produce consistently high quality bulls and females from diverse genetic backgrounds. Using selected combinations from established reliable proven cow families combined with leading sires, we aim to produce structurally sound cattle of good temperament, high fertility, moderate birth weight and high 400 and 600 day growth. We strive to produce bulls and females that will breed on for those who purchase them from Alpine Angus, females that will calve easily, produce a calf year in year out and do a good job of rearing that calf irrespective of the seasonal conditions.

The Alpine Angus program is focused upon breeding bulls that are structurally sound and backed with breed leading EBVs, bulls that will lift the performance of the cow herds which they service, are moderate for birth but with good growth and carcase, producing calves that are strong for both EMA and marbling.

Genetics

Cow families are at the heart of any successful stud program. At Alpine Angus, we are fortunate to have great female families sourced from a diverse genetic pool. We will mention a few key foundation females.

In early days, we purchased Te Mania Lowan, VTMM118 (AI), (ET), (TNC), a prolific breeder and very structurally sound female who we sold in 2002. Dam of 183 recorded progeny, this Scotch Cap female born in 1992, was for many years a trait leader for days to calving. Her grandson Alpine Bradley, by Lawsons’ Dinky-Di, VLYZ191 (AI), (ET), (TNC), sold at the 2008 sale for $10,000.

Another foundation female and top breeding cow who remains active in our herd today is Ardrossan Wilcoola NAQQ6. For many years a trait leader in retail beef yield her daughters, CGKX40 (AI) (ET) CGKZ11 and CGKX13 are amongst our donor cows. Q6 is a female with the unique attribute of breeding well to all quality sires to whom she has been joined. At 16 years of age, with 88 recorded progeny, and an outstanding G bull calf at foot, she remains a strong bodied and structurally sound female who has consistently produced top quality bulls and females.

Little Meadows Edwina WGAX3 (AI), a Limited Design daughter out of a Rito 9FB3 dam, is an extremely consistent breeding cow whose progeny feature in our herd. Her son, Alpine Account was sold at our 2007 sale for $10,000 as the top selling bull, we retained semen for in herd use.

The Grange WFOA180 (AI) (ET) is a direct daughter of the acclaimed US cow, Davis YR Blackbird 558H by New Dimension 7127. 558H is recognised as one of the great US Pathfinder females. With selected use we see the Davis Blackbird genetics as making an important contribution to our herd.

VTMR133 (AI) (ET) (left) who we jointly owned with Vermont Angus and who we sold in 2010 was another key contributor to the Alpine Angus herd in it's establishment phase. One of her sons, Alpine Bradman, CGKB31 (AI) (ET), was sold at our 2008 sale for $20,000.

We have continued to refresh the genetic base of our female herd. Such purchases include the purchase of 3 daughters of Ardossan Admiral, SLLC11, SLLC15 and NAQC94. The bull calf of NAQC94, Alpine Exemplify, E198, was amongst those sold at our 2011 sale. In November 2011 we purchased two females with calves at foot at the Pert Angus dispersal sale, again with the aim of diversifying the genetic base with females that will fit well into and complement the Alpine Angus breeding program.

AI and ET

Alpine Angus has used selected AI sires to broaden and diversify the genetic base and to import breed leading characteristics into the herd.

We have and continue to purchase females and embryos in the US and in Australia to take advantage of the world wide opportunities which technology offers the Angus breed in Australia. The Atahua TJ bull was inspected in New Zealand by Willie and Jim, the Rito 6656 bull was inspected by Willie in the US prior to use. We are very fortunate that in 2011/2012 Chris Oswin brings to Alpine not only a wealth of Angus experience in the commercial and stud sectors but a current knowledge of US and NZ genetics having visited the US on a number of occasions to inspect actual and prospective sires, including in 2011 and having also travelled to New Zealand for the same purpose.

Alpine Angus is not standing still, the need for genetic diversity based on solid foundations is at the forefront of our thinking. Selective and discerning use of ET and AI, combined for the most part with physical inspection of prospective AI sires, enables Alpine Angus to effectively take full advantage of emerging and established technology so as to maintain that diversity.