Cross breeding gives results

News story from 'Climate Change, A NSW Department of Primary Industries special feature', in The Land, October 2008

Beef production based on cross breeding with bos indicus cattle and native pastures or well-adapted introduced grasses may become the way of the future for more northern NSW graziers if the climate becomes more variable.

"This robust beef production and grazing system can be a great buffer against forecast extremes in the climate," said NSW DPI technical specialist (beef breeding) Bill Hoffman.

"It builds on 30 years of beef breeding research by NSW DPI at Grafton that has shown the outstanding performance of the first cross Brahman x British breed cow in tough conditions," he said.

"And it is especially the case where producers are forced to revert to better adapted pastures species which are more resilient against extremes of climate, but can be of lower nutritional value," he said.

Mr Hoffman said Brahman x British breed cattle can handle a relative hostile environment and low nutritional pastures, "and still perform very well".

"The introduction and use of crossbreeding on the north coast over the last 30 years has been a major success story for the beef industry," he said.

"Over 25 years, with tremendous support from the beef industry, NSW DPI scientists have shown the benefits of hybrid vigour, especially on north coast pastures of lower nutritional value.

"The F1 Brahman x Hereford cow is the outstanding performer on low quality pastures, but the benefits of cross breeding in this environment were demonstrated across the board."

Studies at Grafton have shown the average weight of calves weaned to Hereford cows at eight months is about 10 per cent heavier if the cows are mated to Brahman bulls (186 kg) rather than straight bred back to Hereford sires (172 kg).

"As these weaners grow on, that advantage for both the steers and heifers gets bigger and bigger," he said.

First cross heifers at two years of age were shown to be about 15 per cent heavier than the straightbred Hereford on low nutrition (317 kg to 271 kg).

Mr Hoffman said north coast producers had picked up on this research and adopted the findings - but it was now relevant for beef producers from a wider area to take a look at introducing bos indicus content into their herds

NSW DPI Technical Specialist Pastures (North), Lester McCormick said a healthy pasture system was paramount to meeting the needs of animal production and handling the variable climate we are experiencing.

"We have a legacy of some very productive research and extension programs that have clarified pasture agronomy to help meet the current climate challenges," said Mr McCormick.

"Groundcover, greater than 70 per cent is ideal to intercept heavy falls of rain. The litter - detached plant material - reduces evaporation and soil surface temperatures, but also provides food for the soil microbes, often described as the powerhouse of the pasture system.

"Soil microbes help cycle nutrients improving pasture growth and maintaining soil structure.

"When we are dealing with tropical grasses grazing management becomes increasingly important to help maintain feed quality.

"Strategic use of nitrogen has also boosted dry matter production and feed quality."

Mr McCormick said a new Future Farm Industries CRC Project, led by Carol Harris and Dr Suzanne Boschma, research agronomists with NSW DPI would add to our ability to handle climate variability.

"Over the next three years the project will evaluate two new Panicum coloratum lines (Bambatsi types) and up to half a dozen Panicum maximum (Green panic) lines that have improved forage and persistence attributes," he said.

"This project will also focus on pasture utilisation strategies and legume options for tropical grasses."

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