P2 Elements for competitiveness through improvement of livestock and forage
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ELEMENTS/CHALLENGES
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OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS
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INDICATORS
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1 Breeding and genetics (including genomics)
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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
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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
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2 Reproduction efficiency
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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
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Increased enterprise profitability and sustainability as a result of improved reproduction
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3 Nutrient intake and utilisation
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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
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Increased enterprise profitability and sustainability
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4 Animal identification and traceability
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Development of an affordable animal identification system
Implementation of a national traceablility system
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Traceability of animals and animal products
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5 Systems approach to livestock production
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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
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Sustainable production enterprise through the best allocation of limited resources, fulfilling an important coordination function between the different disciplines of animal production
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6. Unlocking the potential of livestock production through technology transfer and training
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Evaluation and development of technological methods to transfer information to producers
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Well-planned, accessible, and managed information databases; production manuals; and educational material
Assistance programmes and training for emerging and commercial producers
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