A SERIES of 14 industry forums being held across Australia in coming months will help seedstock and commercial cattle producers focus on Breedplan fundamentals and getting the most out of genetic technologies.

The two-day forums are being coordinated through Southern Beef Technology Services and its equivalent northern organisation, Tropical Beef Technology Services. SBTS and TBTS provide a national extension network for genetic technologies for the Australian beef industry.

The first of the 14 forums will take place at Armidale later this month (March 26/27), before travelling to regional centres across NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia over the following months (see full itinerary below).

Day-one of the program is designed to cover Breedplan fundamentals, while day-two covers how to get the most out of Breedplan via DNA technologies.

The regional forums are designed to be interactive, with discussion sessions occurring throughout both days, allowing producers to learn from each other and share their own experiences on how to best utilise Breedplan in their business.

Day one has been designed for cattle breeders that are new to Breedplan or who wish to refresh their program knowledge. The day will cover the role of genetics in beef breeding and outline the Breedplan process, including data collection and submission. Attendees will also learn how to get the most from Breedplan and how to interpret Breedplan reports for their herd.

Day two has been designed for beef producers that wish to gain a deeper understanding of the applications of DNA technology for beef breeding, and will assume attendees have a good knowledge of the topics covered on day-one.

The day will cover parentage verification, genetic conditions and the use of DNA information in Breedplan analyses. Breedplan herds will also be provided with a genetic progress report, which will allow them to benchmark their current genetic position and identify whether they have made genetic progress for each trait in recent years.

Producers are encouraged to attend both days of their local regional forum. Multiple attendees from a single beef operation are also encouraged to attend.

For SBTS or TBTS stakeholders or breed society members, the cost is $150 for the first attendee for both days, with additional persons $80. Non-members $250 per person. Single-day entry is also available. Price includes morning tea and lunch.

The program at each form runs from 8.45am to 3.30pm each day

The 2019 regional forum schedule is as follows:

• 26-27/3/19         Armidale, NSW   https://www.trybooking.com/ZNSC
• 29-30/4/19         Albury, NSW   https://www.trybooking.com/ZRPR
• 2-3/5/19               Launceston, TAS   https://www.trybooking.com/ZOFH
• 20-21/5/19          Toowoomba, QLD   https://www.trybooking.com/ZOHP
• 5-6/6/19               Rockhampton, QLD   https://www.trybooking.com/ZRQA
• 8-9/7/19               Muswellbrook, NSW   https://www.trybooking.com/ZROP
• 10-11/7/19           Orange, NSW   https://www.trybooking.com/ZREO
• 25-26/7/19          Albany, WA   https://www.trybooking.com/ZUMA
• 29-30/7/19          Bunbury, WA   https://www.trybooking.com/ZULS
• 31/7-1/8/19         Perth, WA   https://www.trybooking.com/ZUMF
• 3-4/9/19              Warragul, VIC   https://www.trybooking.com/ZSQV
• 5-6/9/19              Melbourne Airport, VIC   https://www.trybooking.com/ZSQP
• 5-6/11/19             Coonawarra, SA   https://www.trybooking.com/ZUKC
• 7-8/11/19             Hahndorf, SA   https://www.trybooking.com/ZUKP

Bookings can be made online. To register, follow the booking link for the Regional Forum you wish to attend. Alternatively, visit the ‘Upcoming Events’ page on the SBTS or TBTS websites and register via the links displayed. Bookings will close one week prior to the event.

• Contact: Catriona Millen (02) 6773 3357  catriona@sbts.une.edu.au