Adaptation of Australian Cattle

159 Cold Winter Climates 7. Winter Management

7.1. Adaptation of Australian Cattle

The objective of importing cattle from Australia to countries with cold climates is to improve the performance and productivity of local beef industries. This can only be achieved if the cattle adapt quickly to cope with the local environment, and grow on to become productive breeding animals. There is general concern in some sectors that Australian beef cattle are not suited to the climates of these importing countries. This is despite the same breeds already existing in these countries Fig. 7.1. However, beef cattle imported to these countries are predominantly British breeds such as Angus and Hereford. Having been derived originally from cold climates, British breeds possess an inherent genetic adaptation to these environments, and as a result both breeds continue to have an extensive international presence in cold climate countries. Notably, in recent years many breeding lines have been imported to Australia from the cold climates of Canada and northern USA to further improve Australian beef cattle genetics. Consequently, the genetic basis for cold climate adaptation is strong in Australian lines of these breeds. The timing of arrival of cattle in countries with cold winter climates can afect their performance in the months after arrival. In the year of importation, Australian cattle can be vulnerable to extreme winter conditions due to their immature size as heifers. With animal welfare as a key consideration, the optimum arrival time is in spring, summer and early autumn. This allows them to experience mild conditions during the post-transport recovery period, and to adapt to the local Figure 7.1. British breed cattle exist throughout the cold climate countries, exhibiting a natural adaptation to the cold winter climate. Source: Dr Bazarbai Inerbaev, Siberian Livestock Institute. 160 Beef Breeder MANUAL conditions. If they arrive outside of this optimum period, additional care and attention will be required to manage their nutritional and welfare needs Refer Section 7.2 and 7.3. Over the 6 to 12 months immediately following importation, these cattle need to be given the best opportunity to adapt to the local environment so that they continue to mature at an appropriate rate, and become productive members of the producers’ herd. Through this period, the critical requirement is to provide adequate shelter, and the dietary energy and protein that the animals require to reach full maturity whilst adapting to the higher energy requirements of cold weather. At the same time, the goal is to have these heifers become pregnant by 15 months of age and have their irst calf at 24 months. Experience shows that with good management in the irst 6 to 12 months after arrival, beef cattle imported to these countries from Australia are fully adapted to the local environment by the second winter period.

7.2. Winter Management Essentials