An evaluation of the Belgium Blue as a New Zealand beef breed: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

Bull beef production, established as a viable production alternative for New Zealand pastoral farms in the early 70's has increased markedly through the 80's. The close relationship between the number of dairy beef calves reared within the dairy industry and the bull kill in subsequent years confirm the near total dependence of this industry on dairying. The number of Friesian and Friesian-cross bull calves reared each year varied in response to changes in the beef price and resulted in large fluctuations in the number of bulls slaughtered. There has been a steady growth to the current situation where 450,000 bulls were slaughtered in 1991. The demand for these bulls is likely to cause an increase in the cost of replacement calves and the margin between sale price and replacement cost will continue to narrow. Therefore the introduction of exotic sires is an attempt to increase the profit margin in Bull beef production. The fundamental question to be asked is "what advantage, if any, will the progeny of these sires give over the progeny of Friesian or Hereford sires?" There has been little literature published in New Zealand on the use of these exotic breeds with the 'double muscled' characteristics. This project will compare the Belgium Blue with other beef breeds. Most of the comparisons are with the Belgium Blue cross Friesian comparing them with the straight Friesian or Hereford breeds but also purebred or three-quarter Belgium Blues are analysed on such subjects as reproduction, milk production, growth rate and most importantly carcass quality. Also a simple case study on a bull beef farm analysing physical and financial advantages of utilising the Belgium Blue with that from using the Hereford.