THE Measured Goats Field Day will take place at Condobolin Agricultural and Advisory Station on September 17, and will provide the first public look at Australia’s goat genomic reference herd.
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s technical specialist for grazing systems Trudie Atkinson said the reference herd represents the genetic diversity of the national goat population.
“This field day will deliver practical insights for producers across all enterprise types,” Ms Atkinson said.
“This is a unique opportunity to see the results of cutting-edge research and understand how it can be applied on-farm to improve productivity and profitability.”
The research effort gathers data on performance, pedigree and genomes from a mix of Rangeland, Kalahari and Boer Goats.
It’s hoped the research will accelerate genetic gain and will be a step forward in building a national genetic evaluation system for goats.
The event will also share information and advice for producers on topics of animal health, electronic ID technology and buck selection using breeding values.
“The Measured Goats project is a game-changer for the industry. It’s giving producers access to data and tools that were previously only available in more established livestock sectors,” Ms Atkinson said.
“We’re seeing real momentum in the results generated from the project, and this field day is about turning that momentum into practical outcomes on-farm.
“Whether you’re running goats in extensive rangelands or managing a stud enterprise, the insights from this project can help you make more informed breeding decisions.
“The field day is about connecting producers with researchers, data with decisions, and innovation with profitability.”
The field day will run from 8.30am to 4.30pm Wednesday, September 17 at Condobolin Agricultural Research and Advisory Station.
Free morning tea and lunch featuring goat meat will be provided for attendees.
To register for the Measured Goats Field Day, visit https://events.humanitix.com/measured-goats-field-day
For more information on the Measured Goats project, visit the NSW DPIRD website at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/about-us/research-and-development/projects/animals/measured-goats
