Kangaroos to the Rescue Gus McFarlane Hasitha Priyashantha Adriana Llopis

What Australia Faces Driest continent on earth – 80% desert and semi-arid. History of extensive beef farming practices. Global warming poses a serious threat to livestock production.

Current Issues with Kangaroo Industry All wild culled, therefore inconsistent supply Tough meat – most used as pet food Inconsistent slaughter practices and processing Never been commercially domesticated

Consumption of Kangaroo meat is healthier and more sustainable than eating beef or lamb Source : www.dynamicexport.com.au

Low CH4 emmission Source: ‘Kangaroos to the Resuce’ New Scientist 20-27 December pp. 48-50

Naturally adapted Distributed all over the Australian contient Source : www.awt.com.au Distributed all over the Australian contient Well adapted to dry/harsh conditions

Grow well in range environments Eat less than cow or sheep Can eat lower quality foods than sheep and cattle Feed on native vegetation Very low water requirements Would require minimum farming inputs

More gentle - soft feet, less trampling Hooves cause damage to vegetation and cause compaction of soils, which leads to erosion. Kangaroos have padded feet, which are much gentle on the land

Healthy meat Low in saturated fat, and is 98% fat free High in iron, protein, zinc and B-group vitamins Good source of omega-3 fats, which help reduce the risk of heart disease Contains conjugated linoleic acid and antioxidant

Action Plan Develop a genetically superior line of meat kangaroos that prospers in semi-intensive farming systems of Australia. With the benefits of kangaroo in mind, we plan to develop these animals into a sustainable, high quality protein source for Australia and abroard. The overall goal of our Action plan is to develop a genetically superior line of meat kanagroos that will prossper a semi intensive farming environments

KANGAROO BREEDING PROGRAM  Temperament  Conformation  Carcass yield  Feed conversion ratio  Growth rate (indirectly tenderness) Measured Traits  Mothering ability  Selective mating  Artificial insemination  Cross-breeding for hybrid vigour  Develop both a sire and dam line Breeding Technologies  MAS – Marker Assisted Selection  QTL – Quantitative Trait Loci Genetic Technologies  Ensure adequate food is available all year round  Water supply  Large fenced areas Semi Intensive Farming System The backbone of project will be focus on a accelerated breeding program that is able to develop a high performing meat kanagroos. We will measure traditional meat breeding characteristics such as feed conversion ration, growth rate, which indirectly effect tenderness as rapidly growing animals are usually salughtered at a younger age and have therefor ehave very tender meat. Carcass yield and conformation, temperament and mothering ability. In addition to traditional breeding strategies, these characteristics will also be correlated with geentic technologies such as QTL and MAS. Breeding techniques that will be employed, we will look to develop both a sire and dam line. We see if cross breeding is beneficial, such as breding grey kangagroos with red kanagroos to achieve high bred vigor. Also the plan to pioneer an artifical inseminaton technique, however if this doesn’t avail selective mating will be used instead. Fnally, to maximise the benefits of genetic breeding program we plan to farm these animals in a semi intensive system. Large fences, water and adequte food year round. Most of the year this will mean no additional food is neededto be suppied, however, during dry seasion some forage would be needed.

Plan Milestones Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Experimental herd (e.g. 10 males and 40 females) Identify feasibility for further development Phase 2 Investment in semi-intensive farming system Continue to grow herd size and improve genetics Phase 3 Commercialisation and expansion Sale of genetics and meat

Risk Assessment Genetically superior kangaroos could escape and decimate the wild population. Many years before a return on investment is achieved. Risk of breeding out nature adaptation to environment.

Thank you for listening