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TRANSCRIPT
The Australian Lamb Story
Rob BanksAGBU
AGBU
Introduction:
• Me– PhD in Animal Breeding– National Coordinator, LAMBPLAN (1988-1996)– Manager, R&D (Genetics) in Meat and Livestock
Australia (1996-2006)– Manager, R&D Southern Australia, MLA (2006-
2013)– Director, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
(2013-)
AGBU
1. Decline
• Australian lamb – up to 1990– By-product of wool industry– Declining real prices– Low consumer appeal (too much fat, too little
meat)– Small % exports to low value markets– Little or no R&D
1980s Market research: no-one wants this
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2. The change
• Australian lamb – 1990 to 2014– Steadily rising carcase weight, real price, export
volume– What drove this?
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1980s:- Carcase weight 17.5 kgs (38.5 lbs)- Excess fat
Today:-average carcase weight 22+ kg (48+ lbs)- No change in fat (so lower %)
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3. How the change was made
• R&D– Genetic and non-genetic approaches to meeting
consumer demands• Industry implementation
– LAMBPLAN– Prime Lamb Key Program
• Coordination of R&D and marketing (domestic and export)
Genetics
2
4
6
8
10
12
PW
T
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Year
Meatelite
All Dorsets
Genetic gain – Poll Dorsets PWWT
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
PF
AT
or
PE
MD
(m
m)
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Year
PEMD (All)
PFAT (All)
PEMD (ME)
PFAT (ME)
Genetic gain – Poll Dorsets PFAT, PEMD
Extreme Modern
Balanced Modern
Traditional
Matching genetics to markets
Fatter
Bigger
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Non-genetic R&D and extension
• Finishing systems– Fodder crops for heavier lambs
• Use of cryptorchids– Initially trialled, but not taken up
• Development of new cuts– Working with retail butchers to extract maximum
value from heavier, leaner carcases• Supply chain alliance development
– Breeder to consumer
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4. Where are we today
• Current status– Producer returns: lamb at $4-5 per kg, $75-100
per lamb– R&D: strong focus on eating quality, including use
of genomic testing– Industry challenges : welfare, payment systems– Industry Strategy
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5. Key Challenges
• Whole of industry participation– Different sectors must “lead together”
• Seek ways to generate benefits for all players – not just one sector– Consultation to find the changes that will achieve
this is vital• Must be consumer-focussed