Genetic trends in Australian beef cattle and sheep populations and their impact

Since 2000, genetic improvement in the Australian beef and sheep industries has exhibited increasing rates of genetic progress expressed in economic index terms, increasing adoption of genetic technologies, and consequently, substantial and increasing economic impact. Economic benefits flow to both private and public beneficiaries, and imply substantial return on public and private investments. Monitoring and communication of ongoing progress will be important in maintaining investment, particularly as phenotyping increases in importance.