BREEDPLAN Field Support in Southern Australia
| Project start date: | 31 March 2005 |
| Project end date: | 15 June 2010 |
| Publication date: | 15 June 2010 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
Summary
The Research Organisation provided a comprehensive technical support program for BREEDPLAN in Southern Australia. This was achieved through the appointment and training of up to four new graduates to conduct the extension work and technical support plus inclusion of other extension agents such as cattle scanners, agents and cattle veterinarians.
1. Use of Estimated Breeding Values ("EBVs") has been demonstrated scientifically to increase the genetic merit of cattle in Southern Australia;
2. Productivity benefits from the use of EBVs occur in Southern Australa;
3. The use of EBVs has been demonstrated by beef producers to increase productivity in Southern Australia;
4. Genetic gains in beef cattle are slow to achieve but the benefits are cumulative and can be maintained at modest annual costs; and
5. Genetic improvement is a low cost method to increase whole property productivity in Southern Australia.
