Breeding for profit supplement index
Tools for breeders and woolgrowers to improve genetic gain and lift profitability across the industry.
In this issue
- A long history of genetic progress
To measure the progress of sheep breeding in this country, Australian woolgrowers should consider the animals of industry pioneer John Macarthur.
- Selection method findings analysed
One of Australia’s longest flock-selection trials has proved that using rams bred from different selection systems improves profitability
- Benchmarking gains momentum
With a national database processing genetic information on more than a million Merinos using a single language to express breeding values, Sheep Genetics Australia is keen to help improve access to this breeding tool
Also: A breeder’s perspective and Buyers look to data to help decisions
- Common language, superior sires
By adopting Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), Merino Superior Sires is able to provide even better information for breeders
- New sheep-selection guide in sight
Within weeks classers and breeders will be able to use a truly national set of standardised visual scores to consistently describe, record and class sheep for accelerated genetic gain.
- Banking on Merino bloodlines
10 years’information from wether trials compares many commonly used Merino bloodlines to identify performance differences
Also: Choosing a bloodline source
- Bare-breech breeding boosts bottom line
With a breeding objective of producing highly fertile, bare-breech, easy-care sheep that cut five to six kilograms of 22-micron greasy wool per head with a 100-millimetre staple length, WA woolgrower Geoff Crabb explains just how this is being achieved
- Breeding tools and the woolgrower
Exciting tools are available to ram breeders and commercial woolgrowers that will have the ability to increase the rate of genetic gain in Merino flocks and lift profitability across the industry.
- Breeding for parasite resistance
With 16 years’ experience using genetic breeding tools, Andrew Burgess discusses selecting for worm resistance on his property ‘Ruby Hills’
- Fibre measurement critical to Tasmanian grower
Using on-farm fibre measurement has cut the average fibre diameter of the clip by four microns
- Marking out new genetic territory
DNA marker technology – the fruit of the SheepGenomics program – could be available to the industry by 2008
- An information nucleus to transform wool production
A key program of the new Sheep CRC will provide next-generation information on genetics and new traits for the industry
- Breeding for profit - How to get involved
AWI is investing in the research, development and extension of breeding tools to help Australian woolgrowers identify the best animals to select for breeding.