COMMERCIAL livestock producers are well and truly in the sights of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) which has taken a newer approach to how it delivers genetic awareness.
The first stage has been a direct approach with the promotion of new material, especially to assist with sire selection.
And while on-line and video has been utilised to much effect, the production of a handy pocket-sized booklet, a pocket guide on "how to shop for a high-performing sire", aimed at both bull and ram buyers.
MLA's national adoption manager - genetics, Clara Bradford, suggests the pocket guide aims at buyers who may purchase new sires each year.
"There's an intrinsical link between genetics and on-farm profit and a lot of our efforts have focussed on helping the seedstock producer understand that.
"However, there has not been a lot of focus towards helping the commercial producer."
Mrs Bradford said in a concerted effort to change that, the MLA had pulled together some easy-to-read, easy to understand resources targeted towards the commercial producer which they could refer to.
"As many only buy a bull or ram once a year, some every second-year, they are not thinking about that all the time.
"So that's where the idea of a pocket guide came along.
"Producers have to try and refresh their memories of all the steps the need to take to fulfil the process."
Mrs Bradford said the booklet was something they could carry around with them as a ready reckoner or could sit in the glovebox or on the desk in the home office.
The concept falls into a bigger package of resources developed.
"That includes the new MLA Genetic Hub, an on-line website with many resources including producer case studies to demonstrate the value of investing in genetically superior animals," Mrs Bradford said.
"There are also short 'how to' videos giving succinct information about genetics like what are breeding values and explaining breeding objectives and what an index is.
Other information is the use of on-line platforms to search for animals, such as Sheep Genetics or BREEDPLAN websites.
When finding a new bull or ram the pocket book is designed to be a practical tool for commercial producers to use and continually refer too.
"With producers only doing this once a year, the pocket book has a 10 simple steps that will make sire selection easier," Mrs Bradford said.
"This booklet provides a good, simple and practical tool to help with the challenging, but important decision in new sire selection and is a part of a bigger project to essentially provide new resources to commercial breeders.
"Now beginning our second year we are updating more resources and making sure producers have everything they need to assist them in making selection."
Good concept
Merino flock owner Alison Kensit, Redbank Park, Dunedoo, says the pocket guide to shopping for the next sire has easy to follow, commonsense pointers for everyone, especially livestock owners who may not totally understand the genetics side of breeding and selection.
Ms Kensit said she had seen the on-line version of the booklet and used the points in selection of new sires for her Redbank Park flock.
"I think this pocket guide would be of valuable assistance to producers, particularly older people, who may need help to interpret breeding values and other genetic traits and objectives," she said.
"The pocket size is very practical and the guide is good for those people who may not be computer literate and can be a ready-reckoner leading up to the new sire buying time."
The booklet is available at genetics.mla.com.au
