In Indonesia there are more than 2.5 million Bali cattle (a breed of national importance) that are mostly raised in the country's eastern islands. But the high demand for beef has led to selection of the largest and best quality bulls for slaughter, resulting in a marked decline in genetic potential for faster growth and mature size of the remaining cattle. There have been moves to apply genetic principles to improve the breed but until recently little agreement on the key objectives of a breeding program, including how to improve the quality of smallholders' animals. As a first step in devising an action plan to lift the quality of the Bali cattle herd a study was needed to establish the best options for genetic improvement.
This project had the single objective of developing appropriate options for the genetic improvement of the Bali cattle herd in the eastern islands of Indonesia.
The mode of operation was to collect secondary data, undertake a series of desktop studies, devise cross-visits for planning and training, run a major workshop to discuss the data and develop genetic options, and publish the outputs of the project.
All project activities were successfully completed and at the Forum all participants received a copy of the published proceedings, 'Strategies to Improve Bali Cattle in Eastern Indonesia' (ACIAR Proceedings No.110).
The project assessed data on the quantity, quality and diversity of Bali cattle in Indonesia and concluded - contrary to some perceptions that led to project development - that numbers may not be decreasing and beef quality may be superior to other breeds. However, available data are not sufficiently accurate to form the basis of firm conclusions. Project researchers were successful in gathering stakeholders from all sectors (except the commercial sector) to review the data and consider the need for improvement, the extent to which genetics can contribute to that improvement and practical genetic options for the current Indonesian context. This required sound understanding of the differences between phenotypic (feeding, management and health) and genetic effects, and the requirements for each genetic option. The focus for consideration of these difficult matters was a workshop held in Bali in 2002, during which participants developed a wide range of recommendations for the future. Experienced teachers and researchers from both Australia and Indonesia played a key role in that forum.
Significant outputs from the project were the recommendations from the Bali meeting, the publication and the increased awareness among a wide range of stakeholders of the underlying data, the production performance of Bali cattle under current conditions and the role that genetics can play in their future management. An underlying message from the meeting and publication -emphasized in many discussions that took place in the course of the review - is that Bali cattle can be fed, managed and cared for (indicated by growth rates between 400 and 900 g/day, and 80% weaning) using locally available feed and genetic resources to provide economically viable enterprises. Other factors such as the length and complexity of market chains may be a greater constraint on industry development.
The genetic options identified included a realistic 'one-tier' option based on performance measured by smallholders at the community level. Artificial breeding methods (semen or embryos) were not considered effective. Increased understanding of the role of genetics will lead to some genetic gain, reduced inbreeding through increase access to more bulls, and less risk of the introduction of inappropriate breeds that have not been fully evaluated.
The project contributed to the decision by ICRIAS to establish a Beef Cattle Research Centre (BCRC) at Grati in eastern Java. The BCRC will have a coordinating role for cattle research and production throughout Indonesia. Links to the BCRC could be important for the future development of the Projects and the capacity of their scientists will be augmented by contact with the Project teams. A possible future role of the BCRC is coordination of training to support locally implemented breeding and husbandry programs.
Reviewers considered that the project had made a significant contribution to developing realistic genetic options for smallholder beef cattle production in the tropics. They recommended that Animal breeding expertise and an appropriate network of stakeholders should be retained for future phases of the studies to monitor and advise on these issues and to develop research activities if and when problems emerge.
Links:
[1] http://www.aciar.gov.au/country/Indonesia
[2] http://www.aciar.gov.au/programarea/Livestock Production Systems