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 focussed upon breeding bulls who are structurally sound and backed with breed leading EBVs, bulls who will lift the performance of the cow herds which they service, 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 families.
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 171 recorded progeny, this Scotch Cap female born in 1992, remains a trait leader for days to calving. Our female herd includes a number of her daughters and grand-daughters, CGKW32 (AI) (ET), an M118 daughter is one of our donor cows. Alpine Bradley, CGKB12 (AI), W32’s bull calf by our own Lawsons’ Dinky-Di, VLYZ191 (AI), (ET), (TNC), sold at the 2008 sale for $10,000, the top sale price for Dinky-Di’s progeny to date
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 14 years of age, with 80 recorded progeny, 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, purchased at the National show expo Wodonga is an extremely consistent breeding cow. X3 continues to be used as a donor in our embryo program. Her son, Alpine Account, CGKA50 (AI), 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. The progeny of her dam have grossed in excess of $US3.5 million. 558H is recognised as one of the great US Pathfinder females. We own A180 jointly with Vermont Angus. We now have progeny on the ground by Te Mania Unlimited (VTMU3271 (AI) (ET)) from A180 and she has a calf at foot by Dinky-Di. We see the Davis Blackbird genetics as making an important contribution to our herd.
VTMR133 (AI) (ET) (left) remains a prolific breeder and a reliable quality contributor to the Alpine Angus program. With 124 recorded progeny, this Bando 598 daughter is a trait leader for days to calving and scrotal size. A son, Alpine Bradman, CGKB31 (AI) (ET), was sold at our 2008 sale for $20,000. Semen from this bull has been retained for in herd use.
VLYU30 (AI) (ET) is a direct Precision daughter out of an EXT cow. Together with cows such as Ardrossan Wilcoola NAQU20 (AI) (ET), Ythanbrae New Design 036, VLYW200 (AI) and Campbell Farms Millerman VVX515, these females from established cow families, purchased in, have added to the strength and genetic diversity of our cow herd.
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.
We are careful to source external embryos from established families and from females who Willie has personally inspected and whose progeny we have seen. Selective and discerning use of ET and AI, particularly from imported sires, enables Alpine Angus to take full advantage of emerging and established technology.
