Developing Breeding Objectives Breeding objectives are goals that you write to improve the performance of your herd to make your

business sustainable and profitable into the future.

When developing breeding objectives for your herd, there are numerous criteria that they need to

meet. These are:

• Written – objectives must be written down

• Specific – ensure that the objectives are specific in regard to what you are trying to achieve

• Measurable – ensure that the traits that you are trying to improve in your herd are measurable

• Attainable – ensure that the objectives can be achieved with the current resources that you

have available

• Timetabled – set a time frame to allow you to meet the objectives.

Breeding objectives cover a wide range of information that relates to the herd and the property

where the animals are being grazed.

Breeding Objectives

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Background information

Land

The genetic potential of animals will not be met if their nutritional needs are not met. It is extremely

important that you get the carrying capacity of your property correct to allow breeding females to

be on a rising plane of nutrition when they are joined to a bull. Use the table below to determine the

best carrying capacity for your property.

Land area ............. ha

Safe carrying capacity ............. ha/AE

Cattle

The stocking rate needs to be compared to the amount of cattle that are on your property. Use the

table below to record cattle numbers in different classes.

Herd profile Number

Females Breeding age

Weaner

Yearling

Bulls

Steers Weaner

Young steer

Bullock

Total number of stock

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Breeder Performance – Reproduction

Accurate records are essential in identifying areas within the breeding herd where there are

problems. For example, records of the numbers of cows that are joined to bulls can be used to

compare pregnancy-diagnosis and/ or foetal aging, branding, and weaning data. This data can

enable you to identify if there are calf losses along the way from pregnancy-diagnosis to weaning.

All ratios need to be calculated from the number of cows that are joined to the bull.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Fill in the table below to record the reproductive performance of your herd.

Performance indicator Current

performance

Future target

Number of cows joined last year

Number of heifers joined last year

Total females joined last year

Number pregnancy tested in calf

PTIC ratio (%)

Number of calves branded this year

Branding ratio (%)

Number weaned this year

Weaning ratio (%)

Age at first joining

Number of bulls joined

Bull joining ratio (%)

Joining period (months)

Breeder cow mortality (%)

Average weight of weaners

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Market Requirements

It is important to have a targeted market in mind when breeding livestock. These markets can

determine the breeding direction of the herd. Use the table below to document the market that your

stock are destined.

Specification Primary market Secondary market Other markets

Market

Carcase weight

Liveweight

Dentition/ossification

P8 fat depth

Sex

Condition score

Marble score

Fat colour

Meat pH

Breed

Other

Sales

Use the table below to record the sales of the cattle that you have sold last year.

Sales profile Number sold $/kg Weight (kg)

Females Breeding age

Weaners (surplus)

Yearlings (surplus)

Bulls

Steers Weaners

Young steers

Bullocks

Total sales

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Current Breeding Program

Answer these questions that relate to the breeding practices on your property:

What are the main breed(s) or crosses used?

Describe your breeding program (cross, composite or pure breeding)

What do you currently measure or record on your cattle (e.g. weight, reproductive performance,

breeds, pedigree, etc)?

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

If you have BREEDPLAN figures for sires you have purchased complete the following table to

indicate the EBVs for various traits of your bulls.

Estimated Breeding Values

BWt 200 400 600 MWt Milk SS CWt EMA Fat RBY IMF

Sire 1

Breed

....................

Sire 2

Breed

....................

Sire 3

Breed

....................

Sire 4

Breed

....................

Sire 5

Breed

....................

Sire 6

Breed

....................

Sire 7

Breed

....................

Sire 8

Breed

....................

Average

Breed

average*

*Breed average for each trait (if applicable or available).

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Selection Criteria

Fill in the table below for the traits that you select for in your bulls and females:

Bulls

Trait Relevant EBV/trait of economic importance

Fertility Negative days to calving EBV

Females

Trait Relevant trait

Fertility – heifers Conceives on first rebreed

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Breeding Objectives

The last step of the process is to create some breeding objectives for your herd. Examples are:

• Developing a Brahman (females) cross Angus (bull) animal that will improve the fertility of the

herd by selecting bulls with a negative days to calving EBV.

• Bulls will be selected with an above breed average scrotal circumference and a

BULLCHECK® certificate.

• Bulls with a semen morphology over 70% will be selected.

• We aim to increase weaning rates to 85% over the next two years.

• The steers will be sold into the EU feed on market, while heifers will be retained in the herd.

• Maiden heifers that fail to conceive at their first mating will be sold and cows that miss a

calving will also be sold.