Sheep on agenda

Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics will host a two-day forum for sheep breeders in Dunedin next week.

The entity was formed earlier this year, drawing together Sheep Improvement Ltd, the Beef and Lamb New Zealand central progeny test and Ovita, with added investment in beef genetics.

About 80 breeders would attend the forum, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the intention was to provide ''genuine two-way communication'' between B+LNZ Genetics and breeders, general manager Graham Alder said.

''We value the opportunity to talk with breeders directly about where we see the organisation heading, and want their input to help guide future direction,'' he said.

The forum would highlight the B+LNZ Genetics programme, including DNA SNP chip genomic selection technologies, feed-efficient sheep and selecting for disease resistance.

It would also discuss the genetics for profitable sheep farming, given sheep were mainly being farmed in higher country, due to the growth of dairy farming.

The forum will also include an afternoon at AgResearch's Invermay research centre.

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Sheep on agenda