Breeding

Making More From SheepAWI is investing in the research, development and extension of breeding tools to help Australian woolgrowers identify the best animals to breed from.

These breeding tools improve genetic gain in Merino flocks and lift profitability across the industry.

AWI has three areas of activity: breeding tools that are available now, those currently in development and tools for the future.

It’s now possible to eliminate a major cause of pigmented fibre!

SheepGenomics researchers have developed a DNA test for identifying carriers of the Agouti recessive self-colour black mutation. As part of the commercialisation plan for the test, breeders are being encouraged to have an input into the plan through the questionnaire developed by AWI and MLA.

  • Breeding tools available

    There currently exists a large, and growing, supply of information that Australian woolgrowers can access to shape the future of their Merino enterprise.

    Read the latest Beyond the Bale supplement - Breeding for profit which provides tools for breeders and woolgrowers to improve genetic gain and lift profitability across the industry.

  • Breeding tools in development

    A suite of breeding tools currently in development will further enhance the use of the existing benchmarking systems in Australian Merinos through the addition of new traits or improvements in accuracy of the existing traits via DNA technology.

  • Breeding tools for the future

    Breeding tools for the future include the discovery of genetic markers carried in Merino DNA for traits that are difficult or expensive to measure, as well as diagnostic tests indicative of parasite resistance.

Overview

Accurate prediction of the genetic merit of Merinos through national genetic benchmarking schemes assists growers in making informed selection decisions to develop a more productive and profitable flock.

AWI’s research focus involves the refinement and application of practical genetic evaluation systems, for the benefit of stud and commercial Merino sheep producers, as well as development of new tools to enhance these systems now and in the future.

Sires with a possible genetic make-up that are completely wool free in the crutch and inner hind legs may hold the genetic keys to breeding animals that do not need to be either mulesed or crutched.

Research into breeding sheep with an enlarged naturally bare and wrinkle-free area around their breech is being conducted at two research centres, one in Western Australia (representing winter dominant rainfall areas) and a second in New South Wales (representative of summer rainfall dominant environments).

Early – “first generation” – results indicate significant potential to reduce breech wrinkle, increase natural bare area, and enhance resistance to breech blowfly strike. On-going research is looking at whether bareness traits are expressed to the same degree in all genetic groupings and varying environments, how many genes affect the trait and how they are inherited, and precisely what correlations exist with the production and quality traits that impact on Merino profitability.

There are a also growing number of commercial and seedstock producers in Australia who have made excellent progress in this area.

 

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