DO the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of your older bulls seem less impressive now than when you bought them? Do your newer bulls, in comparison, seem better value for money?
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It’s not your imagination but rather a reflection of the speed of genetic gain.
The rate of genetic progress in southern beef cattle is about 10 times faster than it was 12 years ago. In terms of profitability, that rate of improvement is now occurring at a rate that outpaces the cost-price squeeze.
Geneticist and director of the Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit at the University of New England, Dr Rob Banks, said this sends an important message to producers about the role genetics play.
What is the average genetic gain in Australian cattle?
"In southern systems the average rate of gain for sires, per cow mated per year, is $3 to $3.50 (depending on breed). To stay ahead of inflation you really want to be buying bulls from studs that are achieving gains of $5 per cow or better.
"Even now, the better studs are achieving genetic rates of progress of $8 and higher and there’s no reason why, in another three or four years, that won’t be the new average.
"Genetic gain is harder to measure in northern production systems due to the scale and size of properties and herds which can result in reduced accuracy of performance data," he said.
However, Rob suggested some studs in northern Australia would be making similar progress to those in the south (around $3 to $4 per cow) and a move to a greater emphasis on reproduction traits and improved robustness of fertility EBVs could see the overall average improve by an additional $2 per cow to be in line with southern production systems.
What drives this increased rate of genetic improvement?
"I think it’s due to BREEDPLAN and people’s improving confidence in the validity of EBVs. EBVs have been available for 25 years and during that time we’ve been able to measure and predict more profit-driving traits such as growth, marbling, carcase and eating quality.
"This has given breeders more confidence to pick young animals earlier.
"The widespread use of EBVs has also meant people have more choice – they have the entire breed to choose from rather than being limited to nearby studs. Is this rate of improvement sustainable? It’s not only sustainable, it’s likely to increase," Dr Banks said.
"There’s no reason why there are herds not already improving twice as fast as the average, and, as genomics become more commonplace, I think we’ll see the rate of progress slingshot again."
What does this mean to the ordinary producer?
"Genetic gain impacts not only their bottom line but management such as risk mitigation through running animals with better feed conversion, higher growth rates, faster turn-off times and producing a higher quality product," he said.
"Through modelling work, I’ve shown that for a 500-cow herd, the difference in annual profit between enterprises achieving a rate of genetic progress of $2 per cow mated, compared to $5 per cow mated, was $9000."
