RESILIENT BUSINESSES NATIONAL GENETICS h Rebuilding a genetically superior herd Producers who are preparing selection (and elimination) as bulls can traits, there are a number of EBVs to restock after flood, fire or be viewed as a package of traits. Too depending on the breed, such as Days prolonged drought can use many traits make it difficult to maintainto Calving. these events as an opportunity to selection pressure on each one, so Not all bulls for sale have EBVs, or rebuild a genetically superior herd. emphasise the most important traits the full suite of EBVs. If producers to improve herd performance and want to change this, they can start by Felicity Hamlyn‑Hill of Beef Enterprise rank these. requesting their bull breeder collects Advisory Services delivers MLA’s 4. Develop SMART breeding objectives information to produce EBVs for Breeding EDGE workshops and said After selecting and ranking traits, the important traits. genetic improvement is important to: next step is to develop SMART (specific, • increase individual animal 6. Manage the genetics to match the measurable, achievable, realistic and environment performance and overall herd timelined) breeding objectives and write performance and profitability Cattle that are not adapted are costly them down. These represent the ideal to run, may require special husbandry • speed up rebuilding with better animal you wish to breed. They should and may not be able to adequately weaning rates and less reproductive be long‑term goals that don’t change express the genetic merit for the wastage based on short‑term market signals. production traits they are recognised • improve opportunities and choice in There may be a selection index which for in other environments. It’s important animal selection, retention and culling.matches your breeding objectives to the breed mix can perform in the help balance a number of traits. given environment, especially when “The genetic improvement decisions you make now could impact your herd’s 5. Identify appropriate selection cross‑breeding. performance for at least the next 15 criteria to ensure animals have genetic 7. Build your knowledge years,” Felicity said. merit for priority traist Workshops such as Breeding EDGE There are large genetic differences help producers understand genetic Here are Felicity’s top tips to build within a breed for traits. However, the a better beef herd. improvement and genetic tools, as well genetic merit of many commercially as fertility management, to assist in 1. Determine what traits contribute important traits cannot be accurately herd rebuilding, particularly after times to key profit drivers assessed visually. Fat can hide poor of drought. ■ Critically assess what aspects of herd muscling; growth rate can be masked by performance drives your profit. Is it feeding, nutrition and the environment; Felicity Hamlyn‑Hill fertility, growth, carcase or reducing key fertility traits cannot be assessed Beef Enterprise Advisory mortalities and in what combination? visually; and inherent temperament can Services Pty Ltd Where can improvements be made be modified by handling. E: felicityhamlyn‑hill@bigpond.com to lift the performance of your current Objective measurement assists in herd? Where specifically would you get Want to learn more about how to ensuring animals selected for breeding effectively use genetic the most lift? will have the desired genetics for traits improvement principles and tools, 2. Understand relationships of importance. Estimated Breeding including EBVs, in your own herd? between traits Values (EBVs) are calculated from Sometimes selecting for one trait can measurement information on the sale • Attend a Breeding EDGE create change (desirable or undesirable) animal and its relatives. Increasingly, the workshop: in another. If the relationship between addition of genomic information is used 24 February – Rolleston, Qld traits is undesirable, it’s important to to improve the accuracy of EBVs. 12 March – Karratha, WA place appropriate selection pressure 17 March – Broome, WA to counter the effects. Understand what each EBV is and • Find out about more upcoming which one is most appropriate. For EDGE events: mla.com.au/edge 3. Rank the traits in order of importanceexample, 20‑day growth EBVs are the • Visit MLA’s genetics hub at: This makes developing breeding most appropriate selection criteria for genetics.mla.com. objectives easier. It also aids sire selecting for early growth. For fertility au 22