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The BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation service is provided to both Australian and international clients of the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) and so represents the most widely used genetic evaluation service for beef cattle internationally. Over 60 separate BREEDPLAN evaluations have been developed, representing over 14 million animals, almost 40 beef cattle breeds and at least 100 breed associations distributed across 14 countries.
The BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation and associated technologies, the validation of outcomes and provision of routine commercial services are underpinned by extensive and collaborative research and development activities.
The development of BREEDPLAN was essentially the founding project for the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), based at the University of New England (UNE). AGBU is an unincorporated joint venture of the UNE and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). For over 40 years it has done the underpinning Research and Development to develop the BREEDPLAN Analytical system and associated tools. The funding for that development has been through a mix of cash investment from the red meat industry via Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and its predecessor organisations, with co-investment in cash and in-kind from UNE and NSW DPI.
Alongside the developments of the BREEDPLAN software and associated tools, the ABRI has invested in software and systems to enable users to interact with BREEDPLAN: systems for data input, data checking, routine analysis, reporting and support.
To provide access to research opportunities that will enhance the provision of genetic evaluation services to clients using BREEDPLAN and associated technologies.
The Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) engages in a range of research and development activities to enhance the value of using BREEDPLAN and associated technologies.
These activities include:
Key personnel are also available to provide technical support and updates either in-person or via webinar.
For further information contact Dr. Brad Crook, Manager of Genetics Research and Development, at genetics@abri.une.edu.au.
BREEDPLAN's Dr. Brad Crook presented on work towards an International Hereford Evaluation at the Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference in New Zealand, in March 2020. Video courtesy of the Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference.