Implementation of the National Beef Genetics Extension Plan

Summary

In an industry scenario of declining extension resources in beef breeding and genetics, the MLA funded BFGEN017 project was a key initiative in 2004 to technically update industry members & stakeholders. Messages were shared with industry in a practical and profitability context to maximize the uptake by producers and to create an environment for future follow-up activities. The BFGEN017 project was the initiation of extension activities in response to the National Beef Genetics Extension Foresight Plan (the Foresight Plan) presented to MLA in March 2003.

This project partially funded the proposed three-year plan. After carefully reviewing the progress of BFGEN017 in 2004, the feedback and lessons learned, the management committee of the National Beef Genetics Extension Team (NBGET) concluded that technology transfer strategies suggested in the Foresight Plan are still relevant and further investment in this area is warranted. Further, extension officers who attended the extension liaison meetings (associated with the Genetics Horizons Workshops) confirmed that resources are declining at a time when requirements are increasing and that the opportunity for one-to-one extension is almost extinct. Following the successful Proof of Profit workshop in September 2003, the concept has now been clearly defined and introduced to the vocabulary of the beef industry.

The concept has been addressed in presentations at the Beef Genetics Horizons Workshops, in MLA publications and in the CD-Rom entitled "MLA Beef Genetics Toolkit". The CD Rom embraces the technology areas of BREEDPLAN, BreedObject, $Indexes and GeneSTAR and features the views and experiences of leading producers, advisers and scientists via video and written media in a format readily usable by anyone with access to a PC.

It has immediate and widespread applications including follow-up to workshops such as the Beef Genetics Horizons or Edge, Effective Breeding Workshops or can be used in part, as presentation material in Focus group meetings proposed in the subsequent extension project. It may also be the entry point to new genetic improvement strategies for some producers. Evaluation of the Beef Genetic Horizons Workshops by attendees, rated the information presented as, of interest and value to their enterprises (all three events scoring approximately 8, on a 10 point scale). A significant majority wants to attend another workshop and the preferred timing for such meetings is bi-annually.

Edge, Effective Breeding - Beef, has been reviewed and recommendations for revision of this important initiative for commercial producersunderstanding and potential adoption of advanced tools have been delivered to MLA. National coordination of beef genetics & breeding extension has been successfully demonstrated and initiated at an important point in the evolution of this technology area.