Aligning farm decision making and genetic information systems to improve animal production: methodology and findings from the Australian dairy industry
Ruth Nettle A D , Mark Paine B and John Penry CA Rural Innovation Research Group, Melbourne School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Strategy and Investment Leader (People and Business), Dairy NZ, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
C Camperdown Veterinary Centre, PO Box 73, Camperdown, Vic. 3260, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au
Animal Production Science 50(6) 429-434 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10005
Submitted: 8 January 2010 Accepted: 3 May 2010 Published: 11 June 2010
Abstract
To date there has been little research into the way genetic improvement decisions are made in practice on Australian farms. This type of knowledge is important for guiding the design of programs to increase the use of genetic information and thereby the rate of genetic gain in animal production systems. This paper describes an approach to understanding farm decision making in order to improve the design of services to increase the use of genetic information in the Australian dairy industry. A mixed-method approach involving a national survey and regional focus groups was used to determine farmers’ perceptions of the genetic information system overall and the key features of bull selection decisions and information sources. The current genetic information system was found to have a strong reputation for ease of access, use and fit with the way farmers evaluated bulls. In the focus groups the farmers described their decision process as having an ‘ideal cow’ in mind that fitted their farming system (e.g. balancing survival, milk volume, milk components, mammary features, fertility, milking speed, etc.). Bull proofs were then screened to identify a batch of eligible bulls that were further screened for their specific situation. Focus groups of advisers generally concurred with the process described by farmers. Further, farmers tended to rely on one or two main information sources in making decisions. To address the issue of greater alignment between farmer decision making and use of genetic information through industry organisations requires a coordinated strategy and a comprehensive development program. Suggestions for activities to this end are outlined.
Acknowledgements
This research has been funded by Dairy Australia and the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS). The authors acknowledge the helpful comments on the paper provided by Michelle Axford (project leader for the Genetics learning package with ADHIS).
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1 Australia’s ABV system is a set of tools used by the dairy industry to compare the genetic merit of dairy cattle. There are three main groups of ABV: (i) profit indexes – specifically the Australian Profit Ranking (APR) and Australian Selection Index (ASI); (ii) production traits – e.g. protein and fat kg and; (iii) non-production traits – these include a range of management and conformation traits such as milking speed, survival and overall type.
2 The three orientations to breeding chosen included: (i) feeding for production and breeding for culling faults; (ii) maintaining seasonal fertility and survivability; (iii) adoption of the national breeding objective to select bulls through the use of the APR index.
3 Australian Profit Ranking: a profit index ABV that includes production and non-production traits of economic importance. The APR aims to maximise profit from genetic gain by estimating the profitability of a bull’s daughters.
