‘How-to’ videos help producers improve productivity and get started with breeding values
29 July 2019
A range of short ‘how-to’ videos to help beef and sheepmeat producers get started setting breeding objectives using breeding values in their herd or flock are part of the suite of genetics resources being rolled out by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
The animated tutorials have been produced for temperate cattle, tropical cattle, Merino and prime lambs and are now available on MLA’s new online genetics hub.
MLA General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley, said the release of the videos continues MLA’s aim of providing clear, jargon-free resources to help commercial producers understand the benefits of genetic selection using breeding values within their production system.
“The videos take a step-by-step approach to explaining what breeding values are, how to set a breeding objective, what indexes are, and how to find sires on BREEDPLAN or Sheep Genetics,” Mr Crowley said.
“They allow producers to understand genetic selection and get a handle on the basics before putting this new-found knowledge into practice at an upcoming bull or ram sale.
“Over recent weeks, MLA has been communicating the benefits of breeding values through producer case studies and ‘Pick the Performer’ ads.
“MLA is now promoting a range of resources to help producers get started with breeding values in order to support improving productivity.”
MLA launched the genetics hub in June, providing a one-stop-shop of tools and resources aimed at demystifying genetics and breeding values to drive the productivity and profitability of commercial producers.
The hub is part of a broader approach being taken by MLA over coming months to inform producers about the role of genetics in achieving business productivity targets.
