Three-year project to drive NW cattle marketability launched by DPIRD with Kimberley and Pilbara stations

A three-year project to increase the marketability of cattle in the north west by improving genetic drivers in breeding has been launched. The genetics project is part of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Northern Beef Development initiative to assist the Western Australian industry to become more profitable, resilient and sustainable. Six Kimberley and seven Pilbara pastoral stations have signed up to participate in the project which will develop tailored selection indexes for northern beef producers aimed at cattle destined for the live export market, as well as the emerging north-south supply chain. Livestock genetics consultants Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit have been contracted to deliver the project. DPIRD development officer Rebecca Butcher said the project would work with pastoralists to gather intelligence and extend learning about the use of genetic selection data to drive breeding objectives. “There has been varying use of genetic evaluation and management tools, like Estimated Breeding Values, known as EBVs, in the industry for some time to inform herd breeding programs,” she said. “This project will harness that knowledge to get a better understanding of the needs of the production system and how breeding traits, like growth rates, carcase weight and fertility, and heritability can be better integrated to refine breeding programs.” Ms Butcher said it was important for pastoralists to make informed decisions when purchasing bulls, which could generate substantial gains to pastoral enterprises. “Bull selection is the single most important factor affecting herd productivity and profitability,” she said. “With pastoralists paying $6000 to $8000 for a good bull — or up to $60,000 in some cases — it is imperative that money is well spent on an animal that has economically important production traits that advance the businesses’ breeding objectives.”