Genetic Improvement Projects : Sheep Industries and Pasture Program
Animal Industries
Core messages
- There is huge variation in genetic productivity for wool traits (combined wether trial analysis), and reproduction and lamb production traits (ewe trials). This variation indicates an opportunity for a large proportion of producers to benefit by making informed breeding decisions based on benchmarking information.
- DAFWA sheep genetic improvement team can provide genetic tools to take advantage of this variability (ewe and wether trials, on farm ram comparisons), together with advice on improved methods of ram selection and purchasing.
- Effective use of measurement and performance information when selecting or purchasing replacement breeding stock results in increased genetic progress. Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) are easy to use, and are the most accurate estimate of the value of an animal as a parent.
For further information click on the links below.
Project Background
Genetic technology can make selecting sheep based on wool and meat quality, pest resistance and suitability to the WA climate more efficient. Advancement in genetic technology is important for the following reasons:
- WA has some of the highest incidence of drench resistance in the world. This is a strong indicator that the current worm control practices, with a heavy reliance on chemical worm control, are not sustainable. Benefits of farming with sheep that are resistant to worms are reduced labour costs, decreased reliance on chemicals, less chemical residue and improved sheep welfare and performance.
- Flystrike is a serious problem affecting the Merino sheep industry and the Wool industry has indicated that this practice will be phased out by 2010. Breeding sheep that are resistant to flystrike using known indicator traits and identifying additional indicator traits is a high priority for the Sheep Genetic Improvement group.
- Demand for WA wool on the world market would increase with the ability to breed sheep with superior wool quality. Sheep that are better suited to WA climate would also be more efficient and cost less to maintain.
- Work towards selecting Merino sheep for meat quality without sacrificing wool quality is also a priority under the current wool and sheep meat price scenario. A dual-purpose sheep would allow producers access to both meat and wool markets.
- Adoption of improved genetic technology can lead to faster rate of genetic gain and profit for the industry.
Project Description
The Genetic Improvement Project is focused on developing more effective breeding methods to improve genetic change in sheep flocks through selection.
To assist producers, the Department of Agriculture and Food sheep genetic improvement group develop methods and promote packages to help producers make use of genetic technology and identify genetically superior animals to generate change in their flocks.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the Genetic Technology Projects are:
- Promote the adoption of genetic benchmarking to commercial sheep producers (linked ewe and wether trials) and ram breeders (progeny testing and performance recording).
- Demonstrate to ram breeders the benefits of using scientific evaluation systems.
- Distribute information on the effectiveness of selection methods.
- Facilitate change toward an emphasis on objective selection for economic, sustainable and ethical traits.
- Develop processes to achieve more rapid genetic gains in sheep flocks.
Project Activities
- Implement a research program to determine the genetic parameters of wool, growth, meat and disease resistance traits and quantify genetic variation and phenotypic relationships.
- Demonstrate the effectiveness of modern breeding programs for growth, wool quality and disease resistance traits.
- Develop breeding software to select replacement animals.
- Investigate the inheritance of novel wool traits such as felting.
- Investigate the opportunities to breed healthy sheep meat.
- Assist producers to benchmark their sheep in linked wether and ewe productivity trials, and publish results from these trials.
- Conduct/produce educational events and publications promoting effective sheep breeding (see recommended reading and available tools and products list below).
- Assist ram breeders in formulating breeding objectives, developing breeding programs, estimated breeding values and methodology to benchmark sires.
Recommended reading:
Click here to access the recommended reading list.
Available tools and products:
- Combined wether trial (wool benchmark) analysis
- Manual for running a ewe or wether trial
- Fleece calculator - A decision support tool to assess the profitability of using in-shed fleece measurement for selecting replacement ewes.
- EDGE Network Modules
- Effective Breeding Workshop
- Money Making Merinos Workshop
Useful links
-
Sheep Genetics Australia
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
KIDPLAN - OFFM Calculator
- The MLA and AWI web sites provide access to their strategic plans and funding documentation.
For more information contact:
John Karlsson
Ph: +61 8 9821 3221
Lock Butler
Ph: +61 8 9881 0213
Johan Greef
Ph: +61 8 9821 3215
Page updated: 06 November 2006
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