Perspectives for reproduction and production in grazing sheep and cattle in Australasia: the next 20 years

We offer a perspective on the major challenges that are confronting the management of reproduction in sheep and cattle in Australia and New Zealand, over the next two decades. An important context is the dominance of grazing systems in which large flocks or herds are managed over large areas where it is challenging to manage reproduction with precision. Consequently, the variable forage supply usually dominates reproductive outcomes, a problem that will be exacerbated by global heating. Thus, in extensive grazing systems, there is a great need for technological solutions to improve the management of nutrition. Global heating will also exert direct effects on reproductive function. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, reproduction will remain a focus for industry. In addition, as the industries develop, we foresee continued societal pressure to reduce medication, mitigate environmental damage, and improve animal well-being.

Management solutions for extensive grazing systems must involve minimal interventions with the animals and be applicable to diverse genotypes and environments. Clearly, genetics and breeding will be at the heart of solutions and elegant strategies will be needed that focus on developing animals that are robust, if perhaps a little less productive. A high rate of genetic gain is the main reason for pursuing reproductive technologies, but highly advanced reproductive technology is not likely to be the best fit in extensive management systems. Even for AI, the simplest technology, uptake is limited and lateral thinking is needed to find ways to improve the rates of genetic gain.

We conclude that there are many opportunities for improving reproductive performance in sheep and cattle in Australia and New Zealand. As we gain deeper understanding of the processes involved, we should be able to make progress in fertility and fecundity, embryo survival, and postnatal survival. Improvements in reproductive performance will increase productivity, and should also be associated with significantly improved animal well-being and a reduction in methane emissions intensity. To capture these benefits, the development of new management options will require lateral thinking about reproductive technology for extensive grazing systems, and a transdisciplinary approach that brings together the systems biology of grazing animals with an understanding of the barriers to adoption by farmers.