We’re developing a genetic tool to assist in selecting tropical bulls with improved fertility.

Working with industry partners, CSIRO is developing a genetic tool to assist cattle producers make selection decisions to improve the fertility of their bulls.

This project uses a multi-breed genomic selection approach, focused on tropical animals. Our current reference population has more than 8,000 records of bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) across six breed types combined with their genomic profile. The initial project, which involved a collaboration between CSIRO, UQ and MLA, was completed a couple of years ago. Since then, we’ve been working to further develop this genomic tool and make it available to the industry.

Reference population for genomic selection applied to bull fertility traits (number of animals with trait records and DNA profile).

Breed	L.GEN.1818 dataset	Current  expanded dataset
Brahman	1,051	1,844
Tropical Composite	1,819	–
Santa Gertrudis	929	1,331
Droughtmaster	760	1,013
Ultra Black	844	1,249
Belmont Tropical	660	800
Total	6,063	8,056

This truly multi-breed genetic selection tool will allow commercial bull breeders in Northern Australia to benefit from the genomic revolution, bringing them to the conversation and assisting them in making more informed decisions to improve the fertility of their cattle, consequently improving the efficiency of their production system.  

Read more

Beef Central: Weekly genetics review: Breeding your own herd bulls? Some tools to help keep the right ones, 29 August 2023

Weekly genetics review: Is there an opportunity to select for male fertility?

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