Cattle crossbreeding, genetic diversity: Why minor breeds have a place

Breeders of Australia's rarer cattle types say outcrossing and genetic diversity are two reasons they shouldn’t be overlooked.

South Devon and Red Wagyu cross beef cuts. Picture: Supplied

Gene pool diversity and outcrossing for hybrid vigour are two of the reasons breeders of some of the less populous cattle breeds give for why their contribution to the industry should not be overlooked.

Recent figures from the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association show the South Devon, like many other minor breeds, recorded a decline in stud animal registrations, as east coast droughts squashed margins for many farmers.

While the numbers show a drop in registered cattle for the breed — down by around two-thirds from 2012 to 2020 — South Devon Society of Australia secretary David Dawson said official registrations was not the full picture.

Many breeders chose not to maintain their South Devon registrations during periods of hardships caused by ongoing droughts, he said. Also, in his view, the number of registered breeders did not directly correlate to commercial cattle in paddocks — broken down by breed — around Australia, for which no data was collated.

“We’ve gone through a troubling period of time for droughts and people (in the South Devon breed) are just now getting back on their feet,” he said. “People haven’t registered cattle because they can’t afford it, they’ve been buying hay, or getting water.”

Sue and John Harvey of Torr Down South Devons at Trentham said the breed’s contribution to crossbreeding should not be overlooked.

The Harveys began breeding in 1967 in England, before they moved to Australia with 22 South Devons in 1982. As well as pure bred sires, the couple sell Red Wagyu-South Devon bulls, with their breed adding docility, mothering ability, growth and milk, as well as high quality meat value in its own right, to the mix.

“Of course our breed cannot replicate the Angus or Hereford’s (national herd) numbers, but we’ve found commercial interest in bulls is stronger than ever as people look for crossbreeding options,” Ms Harvey said.

“Diversity in the national herd is also absolutely necessary to prevent inbreeding issues.”

Mr Harvey noted the South Devon’s ability to turn off high weight-for-age progeny.

Mr Dawson said the breed society now had 85 members nationally, having lost about 10 in recent years, but he was “hopeful” drought recovery would enable others to rejoin.

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