Buck Survival and Performance in Pastoral Regions
| Project start date: | 01 September 2005 |
| Project end date: | 31 December 2007 |
| Publication date: | 31 December 2007 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Goat, Lamb, Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
Summary
The overall aim of the project was for Boer breeders and pastoral producers to work together to identify management practices that would improve the survivability and reproductive performance of Boer bucks in pastoral areas. The objectives of the project were to: identify management practices that can be implemented by Boer breeders and pastoral producers which will increase survival of Boer bucks during the first three months after introduction from 60 to 95 per cent; and,
identify joining management practices that can be implemented on pastoral stations to improve the kidding percentage of does joined to Boer bucks from 100 to 125 per cent.
Specifically, the trial was designed to determine;best practice for introducing and acclimatising bucks before joining, by investigating how Boer bucks survive and adjust to pastoral conditions while being acclimatised;
the optimal age and weight to introduce bucks into pastoral areas, through objectively comparing the survivability of younger versus older bucks during the period of acclimatisation; and,
the impact of implementing a managed joining program, by comparing two mating programs (managed and unmanaged).
