ON FARM NATIONAL GENETICS h Getting started with breeding values S etting breeding values canhelp accelerate productivity.MLA's new genetics hubAccelerating the performance of a herdor flock starts with setting a breedingobjective, knowing what breedinga series of short ‘how‑to’ videos forMLA’s new genetics hub presentstropical cattle, temperate cattle, prime provides practical tools to help values and selection indexes will help lambs and Merinos, to help you get unlock potential in your herd or you meet that objective, and then started with breeding values. finding bulls or rams that tick those Here’s an overview of what you can find flock in a no nonsense way. boxes on the BREEDPLAN or Sheep Genetics websites. at genetics.mla.com.au. MODULE 1: Getting started with breeding values Episode 1: Tropical cattle Prime lamb What are breeding values? genetics.mla.com.au/tropical#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/prime‑lambs#getting‑started Breeding values allow you to predict Temperate cattle Merino the genetic characteristics each animal genetics.mla.com.au/temperate#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/merino#getting‑started will pass on to their progeny. For cattle, breeding values are known as Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs); in sheep, they’re known as Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs). These episodes clearly explain what breeding values are and how they relate to different types of cattle and sheep. Episode 2: Tropical cattle Prime lamb How do I set a breeding objective? genetics.mla.com.au/tropical#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/prime‑lambs#getting‑started Before you start using breeding Temperate cattle Merino values, it’s important to know what genetics.mla.com.au/temperate#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/merino#getting‑started you’re trying to achieve with your herd or flock.These episodes give you someimportant things to consider when setting breeding objectives for your business. Episode 3: Tropical cattle Prime lamb What are indexes? genetics.mla.com.au/tropical#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/prime‑lambs#getting‑started An index takes a range of important Temperate cattle Merino genetics.mla.com.au/temperate#getting‑started genetics.mla.com.au/merino#getting‑started traits and combines them into one number so you can rank bulls or rams quickly and easily. These episodes cover how indexes work and the different indexes you can pick and choose from. 20