Goat Seedstock Industry Stocktake

Summary

In 2011 Meat & Livestock Australia Limited (MLA) commissioned the report Australian Goatmeat Supply Profile to better understand the supply capabilities of the goatmeat industry in Australia. This report estimated that the goatmeat export market required a rangeland population of 3 million goats to satisfy the 2011 level of demand, whilst favourable environmental conditions existed. This required level of population was found to be within the estimated range of rangeland goats, reported as between 2.6 and 4 million. However, the report warned that when favourable environmental conditions, that were evident at time of writing, did not prevail and a return to average or below average seasons occurred, a significantly higher population of rangeland goats would be required to meet the same level of demand. If this core population does not exist, the report concluded that a rapid decline in the goat numbers would occur that could see the populations drop below sustainable levels.
The report highlighted several tools that the industry had at its disposal to assist in minimising this risk of supply reducing below sustainable levels. These include the use of genetics to select for more productive animals, to increase farm production through the encouragement of new entrants into the industry and to implement extension and supply chain development initiatives to bolster the supply of goats derived from the rangeland or pastoral environment. Little is known of the goat industry's current genetic capacity to deliver the gains that would be required to at least partly ensure supply sustainability. To improve understanding in this area MLA commissioned BCS Agribusiness to conduct a stocktake of the Australian goat seedstock industry and report on the following:
1. Who are the major breeder groups and individual breeders active in the seedstock industry.
2. What data is currently being collected by breeders in respect to pedigree and measurements. Are breeders interested in collecting further performance data. What additional data could breeders be collecting.
3. What are the barriers to breeders entering KIDPLAN.
4. Who are the key industry participants for MLA / Sheep Genetics to target to be involved in KIDPLAN and potential Producer Demonstration Sites.
5. The capacity of the industry to deliver genetic improvement programs. It is clear from experiences in the lamb, wool and beef industries that genetic improvement has a role in ensuring long term sustainable and profitable production. As one of the only management practices that has a permanent and cumulative outcome, genetics is a fundamental building block in the success of any livestock industry.