Saturday, March 30, 2024

Getting the genetics message out

Avatar photo
Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) is aiming to build its profile among farmers, concentrating on its role in dairying genetics, its responsibilities in setting the national breeding objective and ensuring farmers are aware of the value and key principles of genetic improvement.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

DairyNZ pasture and animal improvement specialist Elizabeth Leonard oversees extension for NZAEL, and provided an insight to its goals over the coming year at its user group meeting late last year.

A survey of perceptions of NZAEL at the May meeting of the group indicated some highly positive aspects about its profile as well as areas for improvement.

“It has been recognised for its objective, science-based focus,” she said.

The results also indicated the NZAEL-DairyNZ link has given the national Breeding Worth (BW) index and genetic evaluation system a much-improved, neutral feel, with farmers approving of the closer link between DairyNZ and NZAEL for research activities.

Following the survey six key farmer groups of significance in the NZAEL audience were identified. They ranged from established farmers to new generation farmers hungry for knowledge, to BW enthusiasts who actively use genetic indices to accelerate genetic improvement in their herd. The other three groups were DairyNZ consulting staff, industry partners and rural professionals, all with an interest in genetics.

NZAEL had developed three clear objectives to help better communicate genetic understanding through the agriculture sector. The first was to ensure a clear understanding of indices, and how to use them to make decisions onfarm.

Initiatives that farmers would be familiar with include a clearer explanation of BW, breeding values and reliability and how they can be used, along with a revision of the Your Index, Your Evaluation System publication. AgITO material would be revised for younger farmers, and DairyNZ consulting officers were receiving foundation training.

Objective two was ensuring the value of genetic gain was understood by farmers, with the key message it was a non-negotiable part of farm business.

Initiatives would include a website tool to demonstrate the value of using elite bull teams, and a series of technical articles to illustrate the onfarm benefits of accelerated genetic improvements.

The third objective was reinforcing the need for accurate record keeping, and its impact on herd and farm profit.

This followed on from NZAEL research that found, on average, 23% of cows had incorrect sires matched to calves. Greater risk of in-breeding also arises with misidentification of replacement sires. The result is mating replacements to either sire (father) semen, or sires closely related. As in human populations, inbreeding results in lowered fertility, health and longevity. Milksolids production is also affected.

“We will be providing practical examples of the key impact areas where accurate recording is critical,” Leonard said.

Worked examples would also highlight the value of liveweight recording for cow and bull selection decisions.

The NZAEL website was recognised by some farmers attending the meeting as being good and informative but they also questioned how often it was visited.

Typically the site receives 50,000 hits a year, ranking it the second most visited site under DairyNZ’s umbrella.

NZAEL manager Dr Jeremy Bryant said the site was going to become more integrated with the DairyNZ website, and more prominently featured.

Total
0
Shares
People are also reading