Northern producers encouraged to attend Breeding Edge course

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries coordinates the workshops, with the latest three-day course attracting graziers from Nebo, Dysart, Charters Towers and Home Hill.

As a relatively new comer to the cattle industry, Burdekin grazier Ross Tapiolas said working through the Breeding EDGE course was the kick start he needed in his business.

Paul Jacklin, a beef industry stalwart, gave the sage advice to others that “If you don’t measure and record it, you don’t know where you are”.

The three days covered topics ranging from breeding objectives, male and female selection, estimated breeding values (EBVs), balanced trait selection, understanding your resource base, markets, the importance of data recording and overall herd management.

The course was presented by breeding and genetics specialist John Bertram and DAF senior beef extension officer Alan Laing.

After lunch on the second day course attendees visited Lisgar Droughtmaster stud outside Home Hill.

EDGE participants were able to see a Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BBSE) completed in full, assess some females and had the opportunity to critically evaluate some young bulls on both phenotype and genotype using their EBVs.

If you are interested in attending a Breeding EDGE course contact your local FutureBeef officer.

Contacts details can be found https://futurebeef.com.au/contacts/