Australia implements new national breeding objective for dairy genetics

AUSTRALIA – Australia’s dairy industry has entered a new era with the implementation of a revised National Breeding Objective, designed to strengthen genetic evaluation and improve long-term herd profitability.

The revamped framework introduces a new base for Australian Breeding Values (ABVs), alongside refined indices such as the Balanced Performance Index (BPI), Health Weighted Index (HWI), and Sustainability Index (SI).

These updates provide farmers with more accurate tools to select cattle that meet both current and future production systems.

Notably, the adjustments include higher values for type and mammary traits in Holsteins and Jerseys, while fertility ABVs for Holsteins and milk litre ABVs for Jerseys have been recalibrated to better reflect optimal breeding outcomes.

According to DataGene, the organization overseeing genetic evaluations, the NBO review was essential to ensure breeding strategies remain relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.

The new model incorporates survival ABVs and intermediate optimums for type traits, offering a more balanced approach to herd development.

Importantly, milk payment systems have also been updated to align with modern economic realities, making genetic evaluations more reflective of actual farm profitability

Australia’s dairy sector faces challenges in EU trade negotiations

The changes come as the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in Australia is urging the federal government to maintain a firm stance in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union.

The NFF argues that a substandard free trade agreement (FTA) could harm Australian farmers and the national interest, particularly within the dairy sector.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre highlighted that while Australian producers support market access, the terms must be fair and reciprocal.

He emphasized that agriculture’s commitment to open trade should not be compromised by an agreement that could result in uneven competition for local producers.

Ben Bennett, President of Australian Dairy Farmers, specifically warned that the proposed FTA poses a significant risk to the domestic dairy industry.

He noted that the EU currently exports more than 70,000 tonnes of subsidized dairy products into Australia annually, while Australian dairy exports to the EU are much lower.

The NFF also flagged concerns over the EU’s push to protect certain geographical food names, such as parmesan and feta, which they consider culturally insensitive due to their long history of use in Australia.

As the Albanese government continues discussions with the EU, the NFF’s stance signals rising pressure from agricultural stakeholders to secure a trade deal that supports Australian exporters without sacrificing domestic industry viability.

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