Recent Department of Primary Industry research shows bull prices are more correlated with how much grain goes down an animal’s throat than any genetic trait.
Call it rumour and beg to differ but there is no argument against chasing desired traits with scientific evidence, rather than predictive figures.
Co-chair of the National Livestock Genetic Consortium Taskforce, Dougal Gordon from Department of Primary Industries, says the beef industry must continue to invest in genotype technology, through testing, if it hopes to better improve the accuracy and range of trait predictions via Estimated Breeding Values (EBV’s) within BreedPlan. Examples include the EBV for Retail Beef Yield or Multibreed EBV’s.
He said commercial producers need to be provided ‘proof of profit’ when it comes to utilising genetic information for buying bulls because, statistically, they tend to buy on weight.
With a target of ‘doubling the rate of genetic improvement’ by 2022, the National Livestock Genetic Consortium Taskforce has a budget of $100m, half of that from private investors, like the NSW DPI (who put $5m towards the project) with the Commonwealth Government providing the other half via the Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company.
“We need to better demonstrate the value of genetics, genomics and phenomics via BreedPlan and EBVs/ ASBV’s on the cattle and sheep side of our industries,” Mr Gordon said.
The task force’s approach towards this high-tech goal involves a bit of ‘push-me pull you’ whereby increased research and development into new, current and ‘hard to measure traits’ would, in turn, improve the accuracy and relevance of EBVs, which would fuel commercial buyer trust and drive demand for quality progeny.
This, in turn, would encourage supply and use of genetic testing by seedstock producers (as well as reduced cost for the information).
As a result, commercial buyers who trust their studstock supplier, go home feeling confident that desired traits are ‘pre-dispositioned’ in their new bull or ram; a proof of purchase when it comes to genetics.
With the cost of genotype testing plummeting to figures now affordable - at say $140 per sample - breeders need to invest and jump aboard the great rush for DNA knowledge.
“We live in an exciting time where we see the confluence of technologies and key industry programs that will deliver real results,” said MrGordon.
Keeping an eye on good structure
Colin and Max Johnson, ‘Jomanda’, Clarenza via Grafton on the Clarence, have bought into the new technology, paying to genotype four Brahman bulls ahead of their record sale at Rockhampton last year.
“We wanted to do it for ourselves, as much as to create a marketing impact,” said Colin.
“But the technology is early days. it might be years before we know if it’s a proven thing, maybe a decade. It’s another tool to help us look toward the future.”
Mr Johnson said he imagined genotype technology would work with existing Estimated Breeding Values and Breed Plan figures to help buyers identify traits like fertility and days to calving.
“But nothing replaces the eye,” he said. “Genetic testing doesn’t tell you if a bull will suit your cows.”
