Enabling genetic improvement of reproduction in tropical beef cattle
Did you know that new techniques have been developed to evaluate reproductive traits in tropical breeds of cattle?
| Project start date: | 01 November 2013 |
| Project end date: | 28 February 2019 |
| Publication date: | 24 September 2019 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
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Summary
Genetic tools can increase the reproduction rate of cattle, however, herd isolation in northern Australia can make it difficult to record genetic and reproductive traits of cattle.
This project used producer records and genetic analysis to build a database of reference material for three tropical beef breeds.
The results of this research have significantly increased the accuracy of female reproductive traits in tropical cattle, and has set the platform for northern Australian producers to effectively select cattle with improved female reproductive performance.
Objectives
The primary aim of this project was to improve techniques for genetic analysis to increase the ability of producers to breed cattle that have better reproductive performance in northern Australia.
Key findings
- Building the database of reference populations for the three largest tropical beef breeds (Brahman, Santa Gertrudis and Droughtmaster) gives producers the starting point to genetically select cattle with high reproductive performance.
- This long-term project has demonstrated that selection for reproduction has improved the performance of cattle in northern Australia and has developed techniques to evaluate reproductive traits that have never before been reported in these tropical breeds of cattle, such as cow mothering score, heifer navel score, teat and udder scores and body condition scores.
- Results of this project have also demonstrated that gestation length is closely associated with birth weight in tropical beef breeds.
Benefits to industry
As a result of the project, the tropical cattle industry is now in a position to genetically improve tropical beef breeds and increase reproductive performance.
MLA action
The dataset from project is contributing to BREEDPLAN analyses, which is directly impacting the estimated breeding values reported to, and used by, industry. The dataset also provides the research community with information to further develop genetic tools and technologies, including a multi-breed genetic evaluation.
Future research
The structure of this project provides a model for future research regarding the temperate cattle herds of Australia.
More information
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | University of New England |
