Genetics

New videos explain popular traits when selecting sires

Beef Central, 04/08/2020

A RANGE of new resources to help commercial beef producers target specific traits identified in their breeding objectives when buying bulls has been launched by Meat & Livestock Australia.

A suite of new videos explaining some of the most popular traits for cattle are now live on MLA’s online genetics hub – genetics.mla.com.au.

The videos add to the genetics hub’s one-stop-shop of tools and resources, aimed at demystifying genetics and breeding values.

MLA’s general manager for R D&E, Michael Crowley, said as producers are often only making buying decisions once a year, the new materials act as a refresher and detail the traits that can be used to target their breeding objectives and select sires to achieve those objectives.

“Producers have told us that they want more information about the various traits available when making decisions about sires, leading to the development of a suite of information-rich videos to support decision making to drive on-farm production and consumer outcomes,” Mr Crowley said.

For beef producers, traits covered include fertility and calving ease, carcase traits and growth rates.

MLA launched the genetics hub in 2019 as part of a broader approach to informing producers about the role of genetics in achieving business productivity targets and meeting consumer expectations.

Research showed that more than 80pc of commercial cattle and sheep producers had taken action – such as using breeding values to buy a sire – as a result of the launch of these resources, Mr Crowley said.

“There’s a clear link between genetics and the commercial profitability of the Australian livestock industry. Genetic improvement is among the tools available to commercial producers to help address the key drivers of industry profit including improved market compliance and eating quality, and improved fertility and livestock productivity,” he said.

To view the new trait videos, click the links below:

Temperate cattle, click here

Tropical cattle, click here 

 

 

 

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