Module 9: Boost business with breeding

Overview

Sheep breeding, in combination with effective management and adequate nutrition, provides an important opportunity for producers to optimise returns from their livestock production enterprises. The decisions made regarding breeding can have flow-on effects for many years, so it is important these decisions are made within the context of the broader operational plan (Module 1 Plan for Success).

Just as important is ensuring the livestock produced through a breeding operation are ‘fit for purpose’, or more specifically ‘fit for farm’ and fit for current and future markets. This means livestock perform well in the operating environment in which they exist and produce what the market wants — avoid trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

When producers work out what fit for purpose means for their operation, they can generate profit by optimising the use of genetics in response to their profit drivers and managing their livestock to achieve the expression of desirable traits through breeding, classing and selection, feeding and management.

Producers can access a range of breeding tools to help them breed animals that are fit for purpose. Developing a breeding objective is important to help producers use these tools and make breeding and selection decisions to keep them on track, as well as measuring progress towards their targets.

Learning outcomes

On completing this module, you should be able to:

boost key profit drivers by efficiently meeting market specifications, reproductive performance and wool production
understand how to breed an animal that fits both the environment and target markets
optimise productivity and profitability by concentrating on the tools best suited to a business’ objectives and circumstances
document a breeding objective and set goals and timeframes for key profit drivers
implement classing, selection and joining practices which ensure an impartial and consistent approach
ensure breeding objectives remain relevant and in tune with key profit drivers.