Summary
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the broader livestock industry are concerned that market failure exists in the development and adoption of improved pasture cultivars in the pastoral, high rainfall and wheat-sheep zones. This view contrasts with that of other stakeholders who believe that conventional pasture breeding has been effective, particularly for the major pasture species, and further investment is no longer required. The consumer (pasture grower and livestock producer) has been unable to drive change through product choice, as the seed market is not differentiated on genetic quality.
The level of genetic improvement achieved in pastures has been disappointing, despite significant investment in breeding by State and Federal governments, and private bodies. There are a number of issues contributing to this poor performance and the limited adoption of improved genetics: the pastures industry is fragmented, breeding strategies are poorly documented without clearly defined economic breeding objectives, objective performance data is lacking, analytical methods are sub-optimal, seed markets are diverse in nature and relatively small on a global scale, public utilities are shifting resources away from pasture breeding, poor coordination of the public effort with a research rather than commercial focus prevailing, and Plant Breeders Rights while stimulating investment also encourages fragmentation.
We acknowledge that breeders and research scientists have done some good work in pastures, but also recognise there is considerable scope for a better understanding of genetics and its application in pasture breeding. Expertise in quantitative genetics is lacking in the industry and the necessary tools and systems are not available to compensate for this deficiency. Although it is encouraging that many stakeholders are receptive to change, structures and technologies must be put in place to facilitate this process.
Despite the mediocre performance of pasture programs, there are a number of opportunities for improvement. However, a coordinated approach by the various stakeholders is needed if we are to capitalise on these opportunities. This will include strategic and technical input from other plant and animal industries. Cooperation is needed as companies and agencies servicing individual breeding programs do not have the critical mass of personnel with the necessary skills in quantitative genetics and breeding
It is recommended that an industry body (Pastures Australia) be established to provide a forum to facilitate an integrated approach to pasture improvement. Stakeholders (livestock industries, RDC’s, research agencies, agribusiness and marketing agents, seed suppliers and grain merchants and pasture breeders) will need to be flexible, and approach the business from a fresh perspective. The RDCs can provide the stimulus for change, by coordinating their investment towards a common objective. It is cost effective and strategically important for MLA to lead this change and encourage the establishment of Pastures Australia. Pastures Australia must provide a framework for a coordinated effort in pasture improvement, and avoid the pitfalls of similar efforts in the past. The entity should aim to be financially independent and have business structures in place that will provide flexibility and ensure commercial fitness. A coordinated effort at the national level is required to improve efficiencies, consolidate the genetic resource(s), and improve the competitiveness of an otherwise opportunistic approach to breeding and cultivar development.
The immediate goals of Pastures Australia should include: implementation of a national PASTUREPLAN™ genetic evaluation system, define the breeding objective(s) in economic terms, identify weaknesses in technical strategies for breeding, consolidate data and pedigree information in national databases, produce accurate genetic values for breeding and cultivar release, improve protocols and efficiencies in testing of cultivars, better define the target production environments, promote the use of improved genetics, help coordinate research on a national basis and provide researchers with better access to the genetic resource (public and commercial), reduce cost structures and improve output of the scientific resource, and increase competitive advantage of livestock enterprises through improved pastures.
