Guess less with genetics

AUSTRALIAN Sheep Breeding Values have proven their accuracy for more than 20 years, taking much of the guesswork out of breeding sheep.

But according to Sheep Genetics manager Hamish Chandler, it is up to stud and commercial breeders to get the most out of them.

Sheep Genetics has nearly 900 clients in Australia, including more than 500 terminal breeders, and additional clients overseas including some in the United States and New Zealand.

The national genetic evaluation system which operates under the brands of MERINOSELECT and LAMBPLAN has delivered significant genetic gains.

At the sold-out Sheep Genetics breakfast seminar held during the recent LambEx in Adelaide, Mr Chandler highlighted the large variation between the rate of gain between the top 20 per cent and bottom 20pc of producers and potential to drive greater profits.

He said there was almost a $2 a ewe joined per year difference between the rate of gain of the top 20pc and bottom 20pc of producers of maternal breeds on the Maternal $ index. And while Merinos were a diverse gene pool, the MP+ Index varied around the same amount.

In terminals, the variation in average rate of genetic gain was 50 cents/ewe joined from the Lamb 20:20 index, but there was nearly 60c/ewe joined/year difference between the top and bottom producers.

He challenged stud breeders to see where they fitted in the scale and how they could improve the genetics for their clients.

Some 70pc of terminal rams sold each year had ASBVs, 40pc of maternals and only 20pc of Merinos.

Mr Chandler said it was pleasing to see participation rates among Merino breeders rising and the industry looking to improve the ewe flock.

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Guess less with genetics