Beef: Multibreed genetic evaluation - Industry demand

The identification of ‘Establishing multibreed genetic evaluation and livestock credentials’ as a bold ambition in the MLA Strategic Plan 2030 is not a new or isolated initiative. It’s the result of sustained, industry-driven demand for improved tools to support across-breed genetic selection and decision-making in beef breeding programs.

Multibreed: A long-term industry priority

Multibreed genetic evaluation has been recognised as an industry priority since the 1990s and has been repeatedly highlighted through a range of genetics consultation processes, surveys and strategic reviews.

Approximately $40 million of R&D investments since 2016, including the Repronomics program and the Southern Multibreed Beef project, have now collected sufficient data to underpin the design and delivery of commercial, multibreed beef genetic evaluations.

Industry review and consultation

The development of multibreed beef genetic evaluations is subject to considerable industry and peer review to ensure the evaluations deliver the best possible tools to the beef industry.

Project Steering Committee

• Provides day-to-day guidance and management.
• Members meet monthly to review progress, discuss R&D outcomes and set future priorities.

BREEDPLAN and Sheep Genetics Technical Committee

• Provides scientific peer review and technical guidance.
• Members include five independent geneticists and two breeder representatives, along with geneticists from the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit.

BREEDPLAN Advisory Committee

• Represents the views and requirements of users of the multibreed beef genetic evaluations.
• Members include of beef breeders, industry services providers and breed association representatives.

Stakeholder information sessions

•  Bi-monthly information sessions communicate R&D outcomes to participating breed associations and key industry stakeholders.

Consultation informing MLA’s Strategic Plan 2030

The development of MLA’s Strategic Plan 2030 was underpinned by a comprehensive, industry-wide consultation process designed to ensure that investment priorities reflect the needs of levy payers and the broader red meat supply chain.

Over a period of approximately 12 months, MLA facilitated more than 20 face-to-face consultation sessions across Australia, engaging producers, peak industry bodies, broader industry groups (including NLGC, NABRC, SALRC, WALRC) and MLA staff. These sessions were complemented by an industry-wide online survey, which attracted more than 1,000 responses and provided additional input on key priorities, risks and opportunities.

Targeted consultation with peak industry bodies, including Cattle Australia, Sheep Producers Australia, the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association and the Goat Industry Council of Australia, was also a critical component of the process, ensuring alignment with representative industry views and strategic direction.

National Livestock Genetics Consortium

The National Livestock Genetics Consortium (NLGC) provides a formal and ongoing industry consultation mechanism to guide MLA’s investment in livestock genetics.

The NLGC is governed by a skills-based taskforce with an independent Chair and the following representation:

• Northern beef producer
• Southern beef producer
• Merino producer
• Prime lamb producer
• Breed societies (x2)
• Researchers (x2)
• Integrated supply chain
• Processor
• Composite breeder
• Adoption and extension
• Industry genetic evaluation.

The development of multibreed genetic evaluation has been consistently identified as a high priority for the NLGC since its establishment in 2016.