Australian genetic research benefitting the Hereford breed is under the spotlight this week at the World Hereford Conference 2016 in South America.
Hosted by Uruguay, the conference began on April 16 with pre-tour stud visits and finishes on April 22 with polled and horned show classes.
A strong Australian delegation is attending including Herefords Australia chairman Pat Pearce, vice-chairman Andrew Bell and chief executive officer John McKew.
Australian genetics dominated the pen show on April 19 with three heifers, representing Mawarra Herefords, Longford, Vic, winning their class under judge Luis Ignacio Bordaberry Fontana.
The World Hereford Council meeting is underway today followed by an agricultural innovations session covering Uruguayan productive systems, virtual trading in the Hereford breed, cattle identification and biosafety.
Member countries will present their reports followed by the opening ceremony.
The use of DNA technologies in cattle breeding will kick off the conference sessions tomorrow.
Guest speaker, Dr Robert Banks, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, will cover the Australian and international research and development for genetic improvement in the Hereford breed.
The genomic evaluation of Pan-American Hereford cattle, and the economic evaluation of Hereford cattle in the Americas will round out the morning session.
The afternoon session includes cattle feed efficiency and beef marketing.
The conference finishes on Friday with show classes for females and bulls under judges Santiago Bordaberry, Rodrigo and Santiago Fernandez.