President of Embrapa opens Improvement Course

The Brazilian Association of Hereford and Braford (ABHB), in partnership with the Embrapa Pecuária Sul Research Center, will promote on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of March 2011, in the auditorium of Embrapa Pecuária Sul in Bagé, the 3rd Course on genetic improvement of cattle of PampaPlus - Genetic Evaluation Program for the Hereford and Braford Breeds of ABHB. The opening lecture will be given by the president of Embrapa, Dr. Pedro Arraes, at 14:30 pm on March 23rd.

 

The course aims to provide producers, technicians and students with a view of the animal improvement work carried out by Embrapa and other experts in the field, and demonstrate the methodology to be used in genetic evaluations, the process of collecting data in the field, the operation of the computerized system and the interpretation of reports from the PampaPlus program – ABHB Genetic Assessment Program for the Hereford and Braford breeds. In 2010, the two-day course brought together around 130 people, a number that should be repeated in 2011 when 3 days of lectures and technical visits will be offered.

 

The course lectures will be given by researchers from Embrapa Gado de Corte, Embrapa Pecuária Sul, technical staff from ABHB, USP and UFRGS. The program includes lectures on genetic improvement for reproductive characteristics in cattle; molecular genetics applied to beef cattle improvement; definition of objectives, selection criteria and development of economic indices in beef cattle; animal improvement in the era of DEPs; the use of bull summaries to support selection and mating processes; the use of ultrasound as a support for the selection of carcass characteristics and meat quality; in addition to practical classes on zootechnical, functional assessment, body condition and visual scores in animals of the Hereford and Braford breeds.

 

Registration for the course will run from 07/02 to 11/03/. Places are limited, and can be made by email at secretaria.hereford@braford.com.br, by tel 53 32421332 or directly at the ABHB headquarters in Bagé (www.abhb.com.br) . The Registration Fee is R$250,00, ABHB members pay R$150,00 and for Students and Creators registered in PampaPlus the fee is only R$100,00.

 

See the full schedule via the link: http://www.abhb.com.br/downloads/3_curso_melhoramento_bovinos_rv.pdf

 

Lorena Riambau Garcia

ABHB Communication Advisory

Brazilian Association of Hereford and Braford

ascom.hereford@braford.com.br