This is the first in our two-part series on Stud Cattle Breeding essentials which covers, the Breed Standard, Setting Breeding Objectives, and Applying Selection Pressure.
Karingal herd. Picture by Janet Brooks
Breed Standard
Breed Standards, also known as Standards of Excellence, are produced by breed associations to define the characteristics of an ideal example of the breed. The breed standard usually provides a narrative description of the breed together with a description of the externally observable structure and behaviour of an ideal animal. The breed standard may detail certain deviations from the standard that are considered faults. It may describe severe deficiencies that would disqualify an animal from registration.
A well-established breed standard serves to protect and preserve the integrity or inherent characteristics of a breed. This is what makes a breed unique but relevant to its purpose. Breed standards are essential to maintain the genetic consistency of a breed. They provide a guide to breeders in producing cattle that excel in productivity, health and market value. By adhering to specific guidelines for traits such as size, conformation, coat colour, temperament and reproductive efficiency, breeders can be assured that offspring will consistently reflect the desirable qualities of the breed and the markets for which they are intended. This consistency is crucial for producing cattle that meet market expectations.
Breed standards are also used by judges to provide a benchmark or parameter against which animals of a particular breed are judged against each other.
The breed standard for British White cattle registered with the British White Cattle Society of Australia Ltd is detailed at Regulation 19. The standard covers typical physiological characteristics that could apply to any breed of beef cattle along with characteristics which are fundamental to the integrity of the breed such as being naturally polled, colouring and markings and docile temperament.
It is essential that stud breeders are familiar with the breed standard but equally important that the breed standard is clear and relevant.
Breed standards can differ between countries and require updating as demands on the breed evolve over time. Council is currently reviewing our breed standard to ensure it is fit for purpose. Once finalised, the draft will be circulated to members for review and comment before final approval
Breeding Objectives
Setting breeding objectives is a fundamental part of planned cattle breeding.
Breeding objectives are set by individual producers having regard to their specific target market, production environment, and profit drivers. It defines the ideal animal you seek to breed.
While breeding objectives are fundamental to commercial cattle production they are just as applicable to stud breeders. Stud breeders are ultimately producing animals that have the genetic potential and phenotype desired by industry. Genetics produced by individual studs can have a long-lasting impact on the breed’s direction and the national herd.
A breeding objective describes specific characteristics that affect your desired outcome the most, and the weight or emphasis placed on each trait. A breeding objective must therefore be specific, measurable, attainable and time bound.
Key factors to consider in setting your breeding objectives are:
- What do you want to achieve with your herd?
- What is your current herd performance against your desired/market performance situation?
- What is your operating environment and what are the specific challenges presented by it for example climate, pasture type, endemic pests and diseases?
- What is your target market and what are the specific specifications/requirements of it? For example, are you selling bulls to commercial producers requiring certain heritable production traits? Are you selling steers that must meet a certain target weight for age or growth rate?
- What are your economic drivers? For example: relative costs of production, weaning rate, calving ease, P8 fat depth, marbling score, sale weight, end production system targets (grass finished vs feedlot).
Traits that are economically important and heritable should be included in breeding objectives. Examples include calving ease, days to calving, growth rates, carcase traits and temperament.
Considering the breed standard and breeding objectives together, it is clear that just because an animal meets the breed standard will not necessarily mean it meets your breeding objectives. Similarly, an animal that does not meet the breed standard’s non mandatory requirements (for example coat markings) may meet your breeding objectives (for example sales to commercial producers where that trait is not critical). The decisions flowing from this will be covered in part two of this series – Applying Selection Pressure.
