In this photo taken Nov. 2009, central Illinois corn farmers harvest their crops near Waverly, Ill. While a Senate vote to end a tax credit that's helped build the ethanol industry in the United States signals that the subsidy's days may be numbered, corn farmers and ethanol makers hope they can convince Congress to compromise and agree to preserve but reduce subsidies. But agricultural economists say the ethanol industry has grown up over the last few years and doesn't need the help, and they doubt farmers or their customers in the ethanol industry would be hurt much if the subsidy dies. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

CELINA Two seed industry experts, Max Bixler and Gregg Adams, have launched a new company, B&A Genetics. The company will serve farmers in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, and offers a diverse portfolio of the newest, elite germplasm, as well as a customized, one-on-one approach to help farmers simplify their operations and increase crop yields.

Bixler and Adams have more than 15 years of experience in the seed industry.

For more information about B&A Genetics, call 419-305-5481 or visit http://bagenetics.us.

In this photo taken Nov. 2009, central Illinois corn farmers harvest their crops near Waverly, Ill. While a Senate vote to end a tax credit that's helped build the ethanol industry in the United States signals that the subsidy's days may be numbered, corn farmers and ethanol makers hope they can convince Congress to compromise and agree to preserve but reduce subsidies. But agricultural economists say the ethanol industry has grown up over the last few years and doesn't need the help, and they doubt farmers or their customers in the ethanol industry would be hurt much if the subsidy dies. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

http://limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Harvest.jpgIn this photo taken Nov. 2009, central Illinois corn farmers harvest their crops near Waverly, Ill. While a Senate vote to end a tax credit that's helped build the ethanol industry in the United States signals that the subsidy's days may be numbered, corn farmers and ethanol makers hope they can convince Congress to compromise and agree to preserve but reduce subsidies. But agricultural economists say the ethanol industry has grown up over the last few years and doesn't need the help, and they doubt farmers or their customers in the ethanol industry would be hurt much if the subsidy dies. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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Celina seed industry veterans launch new company, B&A Genetics - Lima Ohio

THE signing this month by the United States of an international treaty facilitating access to crop genetic resources will enhance the ability of Australian plant breeders to develop improved lines for Australian farmers.

Kent Nnadozie

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which was ratified by Australia in 2006, is an international instrument that Australian farmers and plant breeders rely heavily on to access the raw genetic material needed to develop new crop varieties.

Secretary of the Treaty, Kent Nnadozie, is visiting Canberra this week to meet with government, industry and other stakeholders to discuss the planned enhancement of Treaty systems which are expected to further benefit Australian farmers and breeders.

Australian farmers can be very pleased with this months signing by the United States of the Treaty, Mr Nnadozie said.

The more countries we have on board with our efforts for a globe-spanning collection of plant genetic resources, the better for all farmers, wealthy or not and in direct competition or not.

All farmers need plant genetic material for use in research, breeding and training efforts, which also includes measures to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of financial benefits.

This material is vital to Australia as over 95 per cent of Australian agriculture is based on plant genetic resources from other countries.

Mr Nnadozie said the Treatys Multilateral System currently covered over 1.5 million crop samples of plants, seeds and crop and applied to 64 foods, feeds and grazing crops maintained by International Agricultural Research Centres or under the management and control of national governments and in the public domain.

Australia has much in common with developing countries in their battle with ecological and climatic challenges, he said.

Most Australian and US farmers have the benefit of the latest science, mechanisation and worlds best extension services, not necessarily available to their developing country cousins. But farmers the world over benefit from the preservation of crop diversity and varieties adapted to emerging and future climate conditions.

This is particularly the case now that the worlds agriculture is dangerously reliant on a narrow genetic base of a limited number of food crops, and climate change expected to profoundly alter the conditions of agriculture.

Australias special support for the Treatys systems benefiting farmers, breeders and researchers in the Pacific is particularly welcome as these farmers face significant issues around food security and climate change.

Mr Nnadozie said Australia had contributed A$2 million to the Treatys Benefit-sharing Fund since 2010, which supported high impact projects aimed at helping farmers in developing countries achieve food security and adapt to climate change.

Projects have supported the development, testing and use of climate ready crop varieties, including the conservation and use of indigenous food crops.

These new crop varieties are also made available to others under the Treatys Multilateral System for further research and breeding.

The development of varieties with greater tolerance to extreme temperatures, drought and flooding, as well as resistance to pests and disease is key in the context of climate change, Mr Nnadozie said.

Adaption breeding will increasingly require access to appropriate crop genetic resources from outside national borders, and the Treaty facilitates this.

The Treaty, which has membership of 143 countries, offers considerable benefits to Australian farmers and commercial breeding enterprises through providing greater access and stability to global genetic resources under standard agreed terms.

The enhancement of the Treatys systems will further expand free open access to more material and facilitate the development of more climate ready crops, Mr Nnadozie said.

Source: The Crawford Fund, http://www.crawfordfund.org

The Crawford Funds mission is to increase Australias engagement in international agricultural research, development and education for the benefit of developing countries and Australia.

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US joins treaty to expand access to global crop genetics - Grain Central (registration) (blog)

Dairy farmer John P. Galvin milks 80 cows in a compact spring-calving system overlooking the Dingle Peninsula in Lispole, Co. Kerry.

Galvins land goes right down to the Atlantic Ocean and receives 1,600-1,700mm of rainfall on an annual basis.

Last year, John sold 477kg of milk solids from each cow in his herd to the Kerry Group at 4.22% fat and 3.62% protein.

This output per cow, combined with the high percentages, resulted in a high milk price and helped John greatly in the difficult year that 2016 was.

The herd also featured in the recent top 200 EBI herds in Ireland, sitting in 149th place, with a herd EBI of 129. The herds EBI is balanced between milk (44), fertility (51) and calving (33).

John uses the Munster AI technician service and combines the fresh semen programme with the year one genomic tested sires.

The AI technician, via his handheld, ensures that no inbreeding occurs.

This service allows John to concentrate solely on heat detection during the breeding season knowing that he is receiving the very best genetics available, from a highly skilled Munster AI technician, and completely avoiding inbreeding.

The genetic progress being made is evident from the EBI graph.

The fertility performance of the herd is impressive, with over 85% of the herd calving in just six weeks.

This is achieved through a high submission rate, due to excellent heat detection and a high conception from the AI technician.

Johns heat detection is exceptional; scratch cards are used on the heifers. Cows not detected in heat three weeks into the breeding season are examined and treated.

John monitors the health status of his herd and the efficacy of his vaccination and parasite control programme annually, through the Munster Herd Health programme.

He finds the end-of-year meeting with the Munster vet invaluable, for reviewing his performance and helping him with decisions in which he plans the dry period and the year ahead.

For the past two years, he has carried out Johnes Disease screening through milk recording.

Both these programmes ensure that output is maintained each year and that high genetic breeding stock, with a high health status, can be sold off the farm.

The Kerry-based dairy farmer attributes the performance of his herd to their genetics, health and a compact spring-calving pattern.

Performance is monitored by monthly milk recording from February to November. John is now firmly of the opinion that each cow needs to be contributing to the bottom line for him to maximise his profitability.

The real profit drivers are the mature third lactation plus cows, calving in February.

In 2016, the top 10 mature cows averaged 7,300kg of milk, with 569kg of milk solids at 4.14% fat and 3.65% protein.

A feature of the herd is the consistent level of production between the cows, with no poor performers.

The first milk recording of 2017 was completed on March 7. This allows the early identification of any SCC issues andtheir immediate correction.

This, in turn, allows all cows to reach their full potential over the lactation period.

As all cows and heifers are bred to dairy sires, John has surplus heifers to sell each year as calves, maidens or in-calf heifers.

One can have confidence that these high genetic merit heifers from a high health status herd will perform and remain in the herd for a long time for their new owners.

John has bred a few bulls that have entered AI; the most popular being JKF (IG) Doonmanagh Jacko an FLT son from a great DEU cow.

He is looking forward to producing a genetic gem from his herd on the Dingle peninsula an area that has produced so many footballing legends down through the years.

To find out more about the services offered by Munster AI: Click Here

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Combining genetics, herd health and compact calving on a Co. Kerry dairy farm - Agriland

Press Release CRV Ambreed

CRV Ambreed has made a genetic discovery that it anticipates will result in a more sustainable dairy industry and potentially reduce nitrogen leaching on New Zealand farms by 20% within 20 years.

Media release

Embargoed to 9am 29 March 2017

Breakthrough genetics looking at cutting nitrogen leaching by 20% in NZ CRV Ambreed

CRV Ambreed has made a genetic discovery that it anticipates will result in a more sustainable dairy industry and potentially reduce nitrogen leaching on New Zealand farms by 20% within 20 years.

In whats thought to be an international first, the dairy herd improvement company has announced it will market bulls that are desirable for traditional traits as well as being genetically superior for a new trait that is related to urea nitrogen in milk.

CRV Ambreed is now selling semen from bulls whose daughters will have reduced concentration of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) under a LowN Sires brand. MUN is a measure of the amount of nitrogen contained as milk urea, and CRV Ambreed R&D Manager Phil Beatson says theres overwhelming international evidence of a direct connection between MUN and the amount of nitrogen excreted in urine when fed different diets.

If this connection carries over, cows bred for lower levels of MUN are expected to excrete less nitrogen in their urine which will, in turn, reduce the amount of nitrogen leached from grazed pasture, Mr Beatson says. Daughters of CRV Ambreeds 2017 LowN Sires could potentially save New Zealand 10 million kilograms in nitrogen leaching a year, based on a national herd number of 6.5 million dairy cattle. He says CRV Ambreeds projections indicate that its possible to breed cattle that will reduce nitrogen leaching by 20% within 20 years.

CRV Ambreed Managing Director Angus Haslett says the firm has been researching the connection between MUN and nitrogen in urine for five years. The link between MUN and lower nitrogen output has been acknowledged before in international research, but this is the first time in the world that genetics for low MUN is being marketed with the aim being to reduce nitrogen leaching.

Hundreds of thousands of straws of semen from a team of more than 20 existing top-performing bulls with desirable genetic makeup for low levels of MUN, known as LowN Sires, are already available for use in 2017.

Mr Haslett says this is a continuation of CRV Ambreeds ongoing work to breed for particular traits that improve New Zealands dairy herds for health and environmental reasons. The future is about using genetics for better breeding and CRV Ambreed has been operating in the future for some time. Farmers are already using genetics to breed cows that are more tolerant to Facial Eczema and for breeding polled calves that will not need costly and time-consuming de-budding.

He says while there is a vast amount of research being conducted and proposed in New Zealand to mitigate nitrogen leaching, it makes sense to look at breeding cows that produce less nitrogen from economic and environmental viewpoints. CRV Ambreed will be the first organisation in New Zealand and possibly the world to provide a long-term genetic solution to nitrogen leaching by identifying and selecting bulls for low MUN genes.

Genetics can produce great gains for farmers, he says. Farmers already choose CRV Ambreed bulls to breed certain traits in their cows, so this is another step on that journey of finding solutions in genetics.

Mr Haslett says there is still research to be done to further test and confirm the genetic development and CRV is working with DairyNZ, AgResearch and Lincoln University on this. CRV Ambreed is very positive about the potential benefits the discovery will deliver for farmers and the nation.

The genetic announcement has been welcomed by major industry players such as DairyNZ. DairyNZ Strategy and Investment Leader for Productivity, Dr Bruce Thorrold, says the potential for farmers to reduce nitrogen leaching by breeding cows with lower urinary nitrogen output is exciting.

If the planned science proves the link between breeding for MUN and urinary nitrogen output, this would give farmers in nitrogen-limited regions such as Canterbury more options to reduce nitrogen leaching without going away from a pasture-based system. Animal breeding would potentially add to gains from DairyNZ investment in research on managing nitrogen inputs, using stand-off and finding plants with lower nitrogen content.

CRV Ambreed has already briefed some of New Zealands regional councils about the discovery as many regional councils are working with farmers to minimise nitrogen leaching.

For more information, visit http://www.crv4all.co.nz/lownsires

About CRV Ambreed:

CRV Ambreed has an overarching ethos of better cows, better life and its business is built around one goal: helping its customers achieve their highest performing herd possible. The company proactively manages ongoing changing market demands by offering innovative solutions tailored to customers needs.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original url

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Breakthrough genetics looking at cutting nitrogen leaching - Scoop.co.nz (press release)

A few US shale oil producers are using DNA sequencing to identify promising wells, Reuters reports. It adds that it's part of companies' efforts to cut costs and keep pace with global oil producers.

The companies are testing DNA extracted from microorganisms found in rock samples to compare to DNA found in oil samples. Similarities and differences in their genetic profiles are then used to find locations that are more likely to have oil.

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Genetics of Oil Drilling - GenomeWeb

The technicals for Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGIX) have taken shape, and with them a comprehensive picture has emerged. This is the current state of play as presented by the current technical setup. Reading the technical chart for a given stock is a vital part of trading and investing success. Unless ample attention is paid to key technical aspects of a stocks pricing and volatility, decisions can at best be considered blind, or worse, idiotic. Getting to grips with all the technical factors that affect price and movement is therefore crucial.

(CGIX) has shown a marked change in trend levels over the course of recent market activity. Based on recent activity surrounding both the 50 and 200 SMAs, theres been a marked trend created which can be described as bullish. The composite picture painted by the trends built around both SMAs has also created a measured analysis of current investor sentiment as the stock navigates upside and downside risk. The established market sentiment toward the stock has created a trading environment which can suitably be described as positive. There has also been a knock-on effect as it relates to trading volume now reflected in strong real-time sentiment on the buying and selling curve; this has created in turn, enthusiasm toward the stock as measured across a broad statistical mix of the general trading community.

As a composite and comprehensive tableau, the stocks position in the minds of the trading market reflects a broad analysis of technicals and inherent trends which underpin overall market-trading viability.

Relative strength indicator (RSI) and Stochastic measures are two very important leading indicators that help traders gauge overall movement of a particular stock; they act as boosters to technical analysis. Together they show in a measured way, whether or not a stock currently overbought or oversold. This indicator is crucial in determining whether traders are tipped toward the side of buying more of the stock, or doing the opposite and selling more of the stock. This is very important directional information necessary for making trading decisions. (CGIX)s current measure for its 14-day RSI is 85.26%; this is suggestive that on balance of the indicator, the stock is currently overbought and may have reached the upper limits of upward movement, perhaps acting as a potential trigger for a price reversal. The stochastic picture presents a complimentary view of overall sentiment in the present state for (CGIX). Stochastic data gathered over the last 30 days has created a score of 91.02%. This indicates that the stock is overbought at current levels.

The successful trader has within her or her arsenal a wide range of tools. The leading indicators mentioned above help make up that arsenal but they are by no means the only ones needed for trading success. Short term indicators, as well as performance indicators, can mean all the difference in executing successful trades. The omens depict a telling picture in terms of the near-term trading setup for (CGIX); this makes things very interesting to the curious and interested eye. The +2.65 has created a positive in the trailing 30 days since initiating movement. Over the extended term, the stock has outperform the S&P 500 by 67.49%. This consistent movement and its attendant overall performance have produced higher daily volatility when compared with other stocks ranking in the same peer group and on the same exchange. The picture looks the same when the stock is assessed against volatility levels measured historically. This historical volatility gives a current reading of 149.35%. These measures of historic volatility are very handy in judging the underlying price momentum and the rate of change in the price of (CGIX). Bound up this picture of volatility, is another measure that gives the underlying thesis for (CGIX). This can best be seen by analyzing the readings for the stocks average true range, currently 13.03. ATR is a fine augment to the other indicators outlined above and should be used in conjunction and not as a standalone.

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Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGIX) Has Revealed It All In Its Chart - NY Stock News

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) Veritas Genetics announced today that it has agreed to provide BRCA testing for men and women who participate in a new initiative called The Screen Project being conducted at Toronto's Women's College Hospital (WCH).

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Veritas Genetics to Provide BRCA Testing to Participants in Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Effort - GenomeWeb

Approximately 1 in 200 Canadians have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, which are strongly associated with the development of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. However, genetic testing for these gene mutations in Canada is only offered to, and covered for, people who meet strict eligibility criteria based on several factors including having a strong family history of cancer. "Population-based genetic testing is a new approach for widespread screening in Canada that we hope will change the current genetic testing paradigm," said Dr. Steven Narod, co-principal investigator and the director of the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at WCH.

With The Screen Project, all Canadians, age 18 years and older, will have access to BRCA1 and BRCA2 screening for a fee of $165 USD. Once they enroll online, participants will receive a saliva testing kit at home. Veritas will process their returned samples at the company's laboratory, and the results will be reported to the patient within 2 to 4 weeks. Those who test positive for a BRCA mutation will be contacted by the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at WCH and will be offered additional clinical guidance. Those who receive a negative or inconclusive result will be notified through a report from Veritas.

"For years, our research team have been advocating for population-based genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, the two most clinically actionable susceptibility genes for breast and ovarian cancers. However, this has not been possible until now mostly because of the high cost of the test and the difficulties in participant enrollment," explained Dr. Mohammad Akbari, co-principal investigator of the study and director of the Research Molecular Genetics Laboratory at WCH. "We found Veritas to be the best match for The Screen Project given their ability to enroll patients quickly and at the best price possible."

"We now know using family history as the only selection criteria for genetic testing can make us miss up to half of all individuals who would greatly benefit from early access to this information," said Mirza Cifric, co-founder and CEO of Veritas. "This is the first of several population-based initiatives we at Veritas will be rolling out in various countries over the coming months. It's equally important to mention that these screening efforts will be coupled with the appropriate follow-up clinical care. This is why we are so excited to work with Dr. Narod and Dr. Akbari at WCH. We believe this is the model for future cancer screening."

Currently, Veritas' myBRCA products are available through distributors in more than 30 countries. Individuals in the U.S. who are interested in BRCA testing can learn more at veritasgenetics.com/mybrca.

About Veritas GeneticsVeritas Genetics is a global leader in providing accessible genetic screening and interpretation to individuals, physicians, and medical researchers. By removing barriers to genetic screening and whole genome sequencing, Veritas Genetics empowers individuals and doctors to make informed lifestyle decisions that help people live longer, healthier lives. The company was recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the "50 Smartest Companies" in 2016. Veritas was founded by leaders in genomics from Harvard Medical School and operates globally from its offices in the U.S., Europe and China. Learn more at veritasgenetics.com.

About Women's College HospitalFor more than 100 years Women's College Hospital (WCH) has been developing revolutionary advances in healthcare. Today, WCH is a world leader in the health of women and Canada's leading, academic ambulatory hospital. A champion of equitable access, WCH advocates for the health of all women from diverse cultures and backgrounds and ensures their needs are reflected in the care they receive. It focuses on delivering innovative solutions that address Canada's most pressing issues related to population health, patient experience and system costs. The WCH Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV) is developing new, scalable models of care that deliver improved outcomes for patients and sustainable solutions for the health system as a whole.

Women's College Research Institute (WCRI) is tackling some of the greatest health challenges of our time. Its scientists are conducting global research that advances the health of women and improves healthcare options for all, and are then translating those discoveries to provide much-needed improvements in healthcare worldwide. For more information about how WCH and WCRI are transforming patient care, visit http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca and http://www.womensresearch.ca.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veritas-genetics-collaborates-with-dr-steven-narod-and-womens-college-hospital-to-launch-the-screen-project---a-population-based-brca-screening-initiative-across-canada-300430320.html

SOURCE Veritas Genetics

http://www.veritasgenetics.com

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Veritas Genetics Collaborates with Dr. Steven Narod and Women's College Hospital to Launch The Screen Project - a ... - PR Newswire (press release)

Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are living with a brain tumor. Gliomas are a particular category of malignant brain tumor that includes glioblastoma - a tumor with a low survival rate. New research uncovers genetic variants associated with an increased risk of glioma.

A new genetic study carried out by a team of international researchers from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the U.S. identifies 13 new genetic errors that correlate with a high risk of glioma. The findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics.

The National Brain Tumor Society estimate that 688,096 U.S. individuals have a brain tumor, and nearly 140,000 of these are malignant.

Brain tumors are quite aggressive and difficult to treat, with an average of only 34.4 percent of the patients surviving 5 years after their initial diagnosis.

Of the different types of brain tumor, glioma is the most common. It describes a type of tumor that grows from the brain's glial cells, which can be found around the neurons, supporting the nerve cells.

Across all brain tumors, gliomas account for approximately 27 percent and are estimated to cause 13,000 yearly cancer deaths in the U.S., according to research quoted in the new study. Gliomas are usually divided into glioblastomas (GBMs) and non-GBM tumors. Patients diagnosed with GBMs have a survival rate as low as 5 percent.

The authors of the new study note that little is known about the environmental factors that contribute to the risk of being diagnosed with glioma. The researchers set out to examine the genetic background for glioma risk.

The team conducted two new genomic studies and added their findings to that of previously existing studies. The result was a meta-analysis of almost 12,500 people with glioma and more than 18,000 healthy, glioma-free controls.

Overall, the scientists identified 13 new genetic variants that raised the risk of glioma: five new loci were identified for GBM, and eight for non-GBM tumors. The study shows that these genetic errors impact various cell functions, including the genesis and division of neurons, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and the production of some proteins.

Additionally, the scientists examined how different genetic strands affect a person's chances of developing GBM and non-GBM tumors.

For instance, they found that the expression of the HEATR3 gene increases the risk of GBM by 18 percent, but it has a much lower impact on non-GBM risk.

Study co-leader Richard Houlston, professor of molecular and population genetics at the Institute of Cancer Research in London in the U.K., comments on the significance of these findings:

"The changes in the way we think about glioma could be quite fundamental," Prof. Houston explains. "So for example, what we thought of as two related subtypes of the disease turn out to have quite different genetic causes which may require different approaches to treatment."

Apart from the newly discovered genetic errors, the study also confirmed the role of other genes that have been previously identified and correlated with the risk of brain and other types of cancer.

Before the new study, the total number of genetic variants linked to glioma risk was 13. The new research doubles this number.

"It has been exciting to have been involved in such a gigantic study including cases of brain cancer from all over the world. We have uncovered a treasure trove of new information about the genetic causes of glioma brain cancers.

Understanding the genetics of glioma in such detail allows us to start thinking about ways of identifying people at high inherited risk, and will open up a search for new treatments that exploit our new knowledge of the biology of the disease."

Prof. Richard Houlston

Learn how scientists inhibit brain tumor cell growth and how it could pave the way for new treatment.

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Large-scale study finds genetic errors associated with brain cancer - Medical News Today

WHILE bulls have long been the main provider of genetic power, embryo transfer is just one tool which has lifted the influence of the female side of the pedigree equation.

Not only has ET been the multiplier of a herds top female genetics, it has lifted the overall quality of herds that use it. The result: a surplus becoming available of top females carrying the same genetics as their replacement heifers.

This weeks genetics report continues on from the theme we established last week: the role that registered female sales are currently having in some seedstock enterprises.

Despite 400mm of rain since January generating good feed at Ascot Cattle Cos Warwick, Queensland, headquarters, North Toolburra, and spill-over available at a second company property near Glen Innes, in NSW, the options this year were to sell some registered Angus and Charolais females or buy another property.

The first option was taken, and the 77 heifers offered at Ascots autumn sale last Friday grossed $235,000, delivering 43 percent of the overall sale gross.

Jim Wedge & Jackie Chard from Ascot Cattle Co, North Toolburra, Warwick

Co-principal Jim Wedge was pleased with the result. It was either sell them as registered females or chop their heads off and be wasted to the industry, he said.

Ascot is a 100pc registered herd running up to 700 breeders, with roughly equal numbers of Angus and Charolais, but trending towards Angus.

About 60pc of the Ascot heifers sold last week went to commercial producers and smaller studs. It is suspected some of the heifers also went to large commercial operations, many of which breed some replacement bulls for their own use.

We end up with around 300 heifer calves a year and we keep about 20pc as replacements, so we do have some surplus that are of excellent quality. We use the very best AI sires and back up bulls so the surplus heifers carry the same genetics as our replacements, Mr Wedge said.

The success of this first sale of females ensures the offering remains an important part of their smaller autumn bull sale, with the Ascot spring bull sale remaining the major bull selling event.

Armidale NSW based independent stud stock agent Mike Wilson said adding some registered females to a bull sale catalogue was one relatively easy way to make some extra money.

Once youd be flat out getting much more than commercial value for registered females, but these days we are seeing stud females bringing double or triple what commercial females are bringing, he said.

At one recent sale, young heifers, some joined and some not, had a reserve of $2000 and they finished up averaging more than $3000, Mr Wilson said.

Another example was a well-known Angus and Hereford breeder in central New South Wales who had a production sale of surplus registered females, generating enough to buy another property and set his son up.

But Mike Wilson had a note of caution. It only works for studs with a decent name, top line studs with good reputations that have genuine quality females to sell, he said.

Blake Munro

Queensland-based Elders agent Blake Munro said he would not call the additional registered females coming on the market presently a trend.

Weve all seen it: studs taking advantage of a buoyant cattle market, other studs buying up special genetics and commercial herds upgrading, he said.

Cashed-up commercial producers buying in a few better quality heifers to improve herds is certainly happening.

Another good example of the strong current demand for registered females, according to Mr Munro, is David and Prue Bondfields Palgrove Charolais Stud on the Qld/NSW border, which enjoyed a successful female sale earlier this month.

Palgrove does not hold an annual female sale, but its one held when conditions are right and surplus females are available, Mr Munro said.

One of the worlds most influential Angus seedstock producers, Gardiner Angus Ranch (GAR), lost 500 cattle in the last weeks wildfires in the state of Kansas in the US.

The giant GAR operation, which has a strong influence in the Australias Angus population, sells around 1000 bulls at three annual auctions, which in 2016 grossed close to $9 million for bulls and registered females.

Greg Gardiner with Angus heifers salvaged from the recent fires on Gardiner Ranch in Kansas

Five generations of Gardiners have been through droughts, blizzards and snow storms but the recent fire will go down as the familys most challenging event ever. The usual lush green cover at this time of the year has been replaced with black charred country and blowing sand reported the Drovers Cattle Network.

None of us thought the fire had this breadth and scope to it and it could do what it did, said Greg Gardiner. This is something weve never seen in our lifetime.

Fortunately, there were no lives lost at GAR, but his brother, Marks home was burnt to the ground.

Of GARs 19,200 hectares of country, 16,800ha were grass and virtually all that was burned. The ranch also lost 6000 large round bales of hay that were strategically stored over an 8km stretch, so that not all would be lost in the case of a fire.

The 500 destroyed cattle were not insured, according to Drovers Cattle Network.

On the brighter side, GARs valuable donor cows survived the fire, saving multiple generations of genetics.

If we would have lost those genetics, we would be up the river, said Greg Gardiner.

GARs biggest sale of the year is this coming Saturday, April 1, when 1025 head including 420 bulls, 377 registered females and 150 commercial females have been catalogued. At last years April sale bulls averaged $US8826 and registered females averaged $US6090.

US media sources indicated that the April 1 sale will proceed.

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Weekly genetics review: Gender equality being seen in seedstock industry - Beef Central