Industry initiatives to improve young breeder performance in the Pilbara and Kimberley of WA.

Summary

Young breeder performance is high risk in herds across northern Australia. Yet limited work demonstrating improved practices exists. To address this, activities were conducted in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia to describe current performance, determine industry understanding and perceptions, and demonstrate means of improving performance. 
The project has provided improved credibility of management systems developed to enhance overall breeder herd productivity by focussing on improving young breeder performance.  In particular, the capacity to refer to locally developed information will be more acceptable to many pastoralists.  In particular, it demonstrated the importance of seasonally-dependent nutrition before and during mating on first calving and return to oestrus. It also confirmed the difficulties associated with controlling time of first calving in extensive management systems.