ESTABLISHING clear breeding objectives is a constant theme raised in discussions and industry seminars where breeding and production topics are featured.
An effective breeding objective offers individual producers’ clarity around the specific factors which impact their own productivity and profitability. From these goals producers can start to establish the priorities they can address in their enterprise.
To be effective, breeding objectives must be specific and suited to individual enterprises. There is little point developing objectives for a program does not consider the production environment, the preferred markets and the skills and ability of the producer themselves.
A common mistake in setting breeding objectives occurs when producers attempt to replicate or emulate other programs based on a perception that the other program is “more successful.”
Without understanding the production parameters and abilities of this program, it is extremely difficult to successfully replicate or achieve a similar result to the one that is perceived as “more successful.”
What is worth replicating is the framework that is used to build an effective breeding objective. A breeding objective needs to be based in honest reflection and evaluation of a program and what it is achieving to date.
This requires consideration of both the enterprises production data and an evaluation of the financial state of the business. An effective method is to calculate the enterprises Cost of Production (how much it costs to produce a kilogram of beef) and the production ratio that is being achieved (how many kilograms of beef are being produced per hectare).
These measures offer a very defined benchmark for a business. Producers who are prepared to objectively ask these questions are best placed to draw accurate conclusions on the overall ability of their enterprise to meet and sustain the personal and business goals of the producer.
Getting SMARTer
From these two data points, producers can prioritise their efforts and focus within the beef enterprise. Setting priorities for a program is made more effective by setting out goals within a SMART framework. The acronym SMART refers to Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Relevant (Realistic); Time (Frame).
As an approach for producers, the SMART framework sets a context for the decisions that need to be made.
If a goal is to improve the production ratio of a breeding enterprise, this should be the specific focal point. In setting this focal point, the measurement of progress becomes easier to define, as it should be directly associated with that specific improvement.
Perhaps more challenging in the process are the questions that must be asked regarding what is achievable and realistic. Often, specific and measurable goals are derailed when producers choose to pursue a course of action which is neither achievable nor realistic.
In setting goals that are achievable, it is essential to consider the entire production system. It is easy to think only of changes to a market or to improve genetics.
However the skills associated with operating a beef business are equally important. There is little point developing a goal that requires high levels of skill to achieve without being prepared to invest in improving a skill-set.
The concept of using the SMART acronym as a process for setting breeding objectives can be extremely effective across production environments and for enterprises of varying sizes.
However, one business trait that is not part of this acronym is that of consistency. Ultimately, consistency is a characteristic that underpins all other activities a producer seeks to achieve in their business.
The capacity to exploit genetic progress, capitalise on investment in infrastructure or securing optimum market price is directly related to the consistency which a producer brings to their decision making and management activities.
Consistency
In coming months there are potentially many bulls which will be purchased for breeding herds that are selected on their genetic potential to improve a herd’s progress towards a defined breeding objective.
However, if those bulls enter programs where management activities are inconsistently applied, or no accounting has been made for the variability of the production system, the opportunity for that genetic potential will be restricted.
A frequent example of this impact occurs when producers purchase bulls with the intent of improving weaning or turnoff weights. However, those bulls often enter programs where joining periods are inconsistently timed.
The flow-on effect on both cow production, replacement heifer selection as well as the opportunity for the genetic potential to be expressed all interact to result in a below average result for that program.
As part of the preparation for purchasing bulls, producers really need to consider both their SMART goals and breeding objectives, but also be honest about how consistent their management practices are.
Without taking time to objectively consider these points, the risk of being disappointed in the results a. new bull achieves is much greater than it should otherwise be.
Alastair Rayner is the General Manager of Extension & Operations with Cibo Labs and Principal of RaynerAg. Alastair has over 28 years’ experience advising beef producers & graziers across Australia. He can be contacted here or through his website www.raynerag.com.au
HAVE YOUR SAY