Tropical Beef Technology Services - MDC Phase II

Summary

The Tropical Beef Technology Services (TBTS) project is a joint initiative between 9 breed associations represented mainly in northern Australia, the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) and Meat and Livestock Australian (MLA). TBTS, funded by the MDC, currently provides the northern beef industry with hands-on technical support to improve the understanding and adoption of BREEDPLAN and related genetic improvement technologies.

The next phase of the TBTS project will feature:

1. a revised, more focussed approach on extension to key influential herds in each breed; and
2. a major focus on promoting the key outcomes from the current Beef CRC to the northern beef industry.

The latter work will be done in conjunction with the Beef CRC extension rebid (if successful). The over-riding objective of the project is to increase the average BreedObject selection index value of the Stakeholder Breed Associations by $10 per cow mated between the 2009 drop (base year) and 2014 drop calves. This equates to $2 per cow mated per year compared to the current weighted rate of genetic progress for the Tropical Breeds of $1.05 per cow mated per year.