P2 Elements for competitiveness through improvement of livestock and forage

ELEMENTS/CHALLENGES

OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS

INDICATORS

1  Breeding and genetics (including genomics)

Increased accuracy of performance testing methods (genomic EBV’s)

Breeding methods to identify adapted animals in different environments (landscape genomics)

Breeding aimed at polledness

Improving reproduction selection methods

Identification of genes or genetic markers related to economically important traits or adaptation

Marker identification and quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection for identification of internal and external parasite resistance/tolerance

Development of affordable genomics technologies to accelerate genetic gain for more profitable production

Increased profitability and sustainability

Properly accepted selection criteria and breeding objectives to accelerate selection response for profitable production

Increased accuracy of performance-testing methods

Liaison with genomics working groups to identify research projects

2  Reproduction efficiency

Bull/ram/fertility improvement practices

Maximising weaning percentage practices

Maximising calving/lambing intervals and lifetime production

Behavioural and physiological understanding of climate-related effects such as heat stress on livestock reproductive efficiency and overall productivity

Health and welfare practices to maximise growth and reproductive rates

Increased enterprise profitability and sustainability as a result of improved reproduction

3  Nutrient intake and utilisation

Natural veld improvement  and cultivated pasture schemes to increase animal production

Feeding practices for grass-fed production systems

Identifying and rectifying mineral imbalances in veld and pastures and evaluate feed additives

Development and evaluation of cost-effective supplement feeding practices

Methods to maximise the use of crop residues

Development of sustainable feedlot feeding practices

Increased enterprise profitability and sustainability

4 Animal identification and traceability

Development of an affordable animal identification system

Implementation of a national traceablility system

Traceability of animals and animal products

5 Systems approach to livestock production

Studies of the whole enterprise and production cycle of animals

Understanding of species’ interaction (including wildlife) in the farming enterprise

Understanding of integrated crop/animal production systems

Decision support systems to assess the impact of selection decisions on the efficiency of the production systems because of the interaction of many economically relevant traits

Sustainable production enterprise through the best allocation of limited resources, fulfilling an important coordination function between the different disciplines of animal production

6. Unlocking the potential of livestock production through technology transfer and training

Evaluation and development of technological methods to transfer information to producers

Well-planned, accessible, and managed information databases; production manuals; and educational material

Assistance programmes and training for emerging and commercial producers