The Breeders Bulletin - Sheep Genetics

The Breeders Bulletin
Spring 2011
www.sheepgenetics.org.au

Sheep Genetics Organisational Setup
MLA/AWI
Executive Committee
Dr Rob Banks (MLA)
Dr Alex Ball (MLA)
Ms Jane LittleJohn (AWI)
Mr Geoff Lindon (AWI)
Advisory Committee
Philip Attard (Chair)
Murray Long - 230324
Pendarra White Suffolks, NSW
Mark Mortimer - 601250
Centre Plus Merinos, NSW
Andrew Mosely - 470044
Etiwanda White Dorpers, NSW
Don Pegler - 150022
Oaklea Coopworths, SA
Dale Price - 161886
Majardah Poll Dorsets, SA
Warren Russell - 501704
Melrose Merinos, VIC
Tom Silcock - 504572
The Mountain Dam Merinos, VIC
Sheep Genetics
Manager
Sam Gill
Hamish Chandler
Stephen Field
Fiona McLoughlin
David Rubie
Luke Stephen
Nicole Williams
Jaime Carey
Technical Committee
Dr Rob Banks (Chair)
Dr Hans Graser - AGBU
Dr Daniel Brown - AGBU
Dr Andrew Swan - AGBU
Dr Kim Bunter - AGBU
Mr Geoff Lindon - AWI
Dr Jen Smith - CSIRO
Dr Troy Fischer - Industry Rep.
Dr Alex Ball - MLA
Dr Kevin Atkins - NSW I & I
Mr Allan Casey - NSW I & I
Dr Julius Van Der Werf - UNE
Mr Sam Gill - Sheep Genetics
The Sheep Genetics Manager or Staff should always be the
initial contact point for all communication.
The Sheep Genetics Executive is a joint MLA and AWI management group responsible for the operations of Sheep
Genetics.
The Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee has been established to assist in communication and representing to MLA
and AWI the views and requirements of current and potential clients and the wider sheep industry. The Committee
has an active role in business planning and annual review of the operational performance of Sheep Genetics.
The Sheep Genetics Technical Committee comprises representatives from MLA, AWI, AGBU, UNE, NSW DPI,
industry and Sheep Genetics. The role of the Sheep Genetics Technical Committee is to guide and lead the
development of the Sheep Genetics analytical engine, OVIS, to continually refine the analysis procedures and
develop new ASBVs to meet industry demand.
Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation acknowledges the
matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the research
and development detailed in this publication.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 2

Newsletter Contents
Team News 3
Out-and-about 4
Breeder Profile - MPM 4
Research - Meating the Challenge 6
Data Quality 8
Marketing Tips 9
Scoring Visual Traits 10
Genes to Improve Muscle 11
Satisfaction Survey Results 12
Website - Mating Predictor 15
Sheep Genetics Team News
We would like to welcome Nicole back to
the team, after being away for 4 months
for the birth of her baby girl. Rhali Mia
Williams was born on the 16th May and is
doing well.
Over this period we have been assisted by
Jaime Carey whom many of you will have
talked to on the phone. Jaime has very
capably taken on the project
administrators role and will be missed
when she finishes up mid October for a
short break before the arrival of her baby.
Luke is busily preparing for a trip to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, as a
great fan of rugby he is very excited at the prospect. This will probably be his last
holiday before his honeymoon in January.
Sam and Mel are expecting another baby that is due in January, I am sure that
the whole Gill family is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new family member.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 3

Out-and-about
Recently Sam, Hamish and Luke have been busy on the road at a series of “Its Ewe Time”
forums. The forums were held in
WA at Katanning, Northam, Dandaragan
NSW at Tamworth and Cooma
QLD at Longreach
VIC at Bairnsdale
SA at Wundinna and Lameroo.
The forums were a popular event and a great chance for the team to catch up with current clients
as well as many other producers.
Sheepvention at Hamilton and Bendigo Sheep and Wool show have both taken place for another
year. These two major events on the sheep producers calendar saw LAMBPLAN and
MERINOSELECT clients achieve good results in the show and sale ring, and our congratulations
go out to all on the results.
Sam has jetted out to the US, to meet with the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP)
team. Sheep Genetics has been working with US producers for the last couple of years to
strengthen the industry links between Australia and the US . An initiative that is working well with
the US clients very happy with the service provided by LAMBPLAN.
Breeder Profile: Multi Purpose Merinos Dwain Duxson
The Multi Purpose Merino (MPM) group consists of 9 ram
breeders and around 150 commercial breeders spread around
every state of Australia. The group was formed in 2000 with the
view to breeding a consistent type of merino that was first and
foremost, a wrinkle free merino.
The MPM ewe flock currently totals around 350,000, with a
larger number under the MPM banner in South America.
Breeders here in the Eastern part of Australia are building
numbers post drought. Most WA breeders have maintained their
core breeding flocks as they look to come out of drought in
2011.
The MPM group places great importance on being involved in
the MERINOSELECT program. It‟s been a great tool to advance
the stock for growth rates, muscle percentages and fat levels.
Some breeders have been involved with MERINOSELECT since
its inception.
Breeders are from high rainfall areas, wheat sheep zones or station country and no matter where you go MPM
sheep always look the same. An MPM sheep:
Is a wrinkle free merino
Has been bred by rams and from ewes that have been measured under the MERINOSELECT
program with the focus on growth, muscle and fat levels
Flocks have improved their weaning rates by an average of 20% over the last 5 years (flock
average is around 100% weaning and rising). This compares to the merino average of 77%
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 4

Grows wool at a faster rate, 60%
of breeders shear earlier than a
traditional 12 month period
(some at 7 to 8 months).
Has an average adult micron of
19, with some flocks finer in the
higher rainfall areas.
The majority of breeders sell
their wethers as lambs, which
would have been the minority 5
years ago
Approximately 70% of breeders
do not mules anymore
Have plain rumps but not
necessarily bare breech‟s
Is less susceptible to body strike
due to its non wrinkled skin.
Moojepin Ewe lambs at 11 months of age, both
scanned in lamb with twins
Glendemar MPM Yearling Weights since 1999
Glendemar MPM Yearling Eye Muscle Depths
since 1999
MPM ram breeder‟s are conscious of breeding a sheep that is of a particular type, these breeder„s meet
once a year and consult regularly in regards to any breeding changes so that commercial breeders get
constant genetic upgrading for all the traits that in turn leads to a profitable sheep business, with many
MPM breeders receiving premium prices for their surplus stock in recent times.
The MPM group also has a list of sheep classers that help individual breeders get the most out of their
sheep operations, for a list of MPM Ram Breeders, MPM Sheep Classers and other info go to
www.multipurposemerinos.com.au
Breeder Profile
If you would like to submit a breeder profile
for the upcoming Breeders Bulletins please
contact the office.
For more information contact Ben Duxson 03 53592292
or glendemar@aussiebroadband.com.au
Profiles include information such as:
Location
Size of operation
Breeding objectives
How LAMBPLAN/MERINOSELECT
helps you achieve goals.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 5

Meating the Challenge Kelly Pearce and David Pethick
Background
Genetic selection for traits important to both
consumers and producers will be the key profit
drivers of productivity and profitability gains for
your sheepmeat enterprise into the future.
Important traits include, lean meat yield, dressing
percentage, tenderness, intramuscular fat and
retail colour. Understanding the inheritance
(heritability) of these traits and their
interrelationships will better enable sheep breeders
to select for improved lamb production into the
future.
Exciting new work by the Sheep CRC meat
program has shown that a variety of new traits are
moderately to highly heritable (Table 1). These
include lean meat yield, dressing percentage,
intramuscular fat and shear force (tenderness).
These traits can‟t be visually selected for in a live
animal so prototype Australian Sheep Breeding
Values ASBV‟s are being developed to allow for
their selection in a breeding program to improve
the performance of future generations, The new
suite of prototype ASBV‟s include lean meat yield,
intramuscular fat and shear force that will become
available from Sheep Genetics. In addition the INF
flocks are also assisting in increasing the accuracy
of existing ASBVS.
The Information Nucleus Flock provides a unique
opportunity for examination of genetic factors
influencing carcass and eating quality, across a
range of environments.
So far- a total 6595 lambs from the Sheep CRC
information Nucleus program (INF) have had
carcass and meat quality records following
slaughter. Such as: carcass weight; dressing
percentage; lean meat yield; a range of fresh meat
and retail display colour measurements;
tenderness as measured by shear force; iron, zinc
and omega-3 fatty acid contents of the meat;
This article will give you the background behind
these traits and how they are linked and how the
prototype ASBV‟s will contribute.
1. Nutritional value of lamb
Iron and Zinc
Iron is a strong selling point for red meat,
particularly for women of reproductive age. The
redness of meat is largely driven by the iron
containing pigment myoglobin within muscle. This
pigment delivers oxygen to the working muscle
cells. Dieticians have described the iron levels
required to underpin a claim of „source‟ or „good
source‟. The level of iron in lamb is at, or just
under, a good source claim meaning as an
industry we would not want the values to fall any
lower. A key driver of iron levels is the age of the
lamb and as we increase growth genetics the
potential for reduced iron content is very real. The
heritability of total muscle iron content is quite low
(Table 1) but the red pigment myoglobin has a
higher genetic component. The iron within
myoglobin is the most powerful nutritional source
for humans as it is highly available for digestion.
The levels of zinc in lamb muscle are sufficient to
claim lamb as a good source of zinc. However our
initial analyses suggest a weak but significant
unfavorable relationship with the PEMD ASBV
indicating we as an industry should consider
balanced genetic management of zinc levels to
prevent any decrease into the future. Levels of iron
and zinc in the INF lambs were 2.05 mg/100g and
2.31 mg/100g iron and zinc respectively (Iron-
Standard deviation (SD) of 0.44 and range from
0.81-4.51mg/100g and Zinc- SD of 0.39 and range
from 1.18-4.49 mg/100g).
Omega 3
Australians are being encouraged to increase their
intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated omega-3
fatty acids to reduce their risk of chronic diseases.
These fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The
average level of EPA plus DHA in lamb meat was
23.5 mg/100 g (SD of 9.32 and range from 4.58-
56.0 mg/100g), which is higher than the level
required to claim that lamb is a „source‟ of omega-
3. Omega 3 levels are heritable, however
differences in the finishing diet also have a
significant effect on omega-3 concentrations in the
muscle.
2. Eating quality
Shear force
Shear force is a laboratory based measure of
tenderness and is based on the kg of force
required to pass a blade through a piece of cooked
lamb. Shear force tenderness of the loin is under
significant genetic control and should be less than
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 6

about 27 Newtons to be perceived as adequately
tender by the consumer. Average shear force of
the INF lambs 5 days post slaughter was 23.6 N
(SD of 8.2 and range from 10.7-75.6 N). Other
factors such as processing conditions and meat pH
also effect shear force and this trait requires a
whole of supply chain approach to optimally
mange the best outcome (MSA lamb).
Intramuscular fat
Intramuscular fat (IMF) is measured chemically as
the total fat content of the lamb loin. Ideally IMF
should be 4-6% to ensure adequate flavour and
juiciness for a consumer. This level of IMF is low
from a human nutritional perspective and still
allows lean lamb to receive the heart tick (

Data Quality
With most flocks in Sheep Genetics awaiting the arrival of their Spring drop lambs it is important to also
plan your Sheep Genetics recording schedule. This is important as recording traits at the incorrect time
can not only see the data excluded from the MERINOSELECT and LAMBPLAN analyses, but may cost
you the breeder the time and expense of having to record the traits again. This document will help outline
the major quality assurance requirements for recording the traits for Sheep Genetics. Full details on
recording traits can be found in the Sheep Genetics Quality Assurance manual.
Fleece
There are three major quality assurances required when recording fleece traits for MERINOSELECT &
LAMBPLAN.
1. Animals must be a minimum ten months old when the data is recorded. Animals need to be ten
months old or older as to reduce the maternal differences in fleece characteristics.
2. Animals have to have minimum wool growth for recording fleece quality (Fibre diameter) and fleece
quantity (fleece weight & staple length). The minimum time period is to allow animals time to
express genetic differences in wool growth. For recording fleece quality this time period is 5 months,
for fleece quantity this is 6 months.
3. Fibre testing needs to be carried out by an accredited OFFM operator. A list of these operators can
be found on the AWI website.
Carcase
When getting ultrasound carcase measurements on your animals there are three major quality assurance
requirements:
1. The carcase scanner must be accredited with Sheep Genetics. A updated list is available on the
Sheep Genetics website under the service provider tab.
2. Animals must be a minimum 30 kg live weight. Animals under this weight do not express adequate
genetic differences in fat.
3. The average age of the management group must be 100 days old.
Visual traits
Visual traits can be scored by you the breeder on your own property. When scoring breech wrinkle, body
wrinkle, breech cover and dags there are a number of quality assurance guidelines that must be met:
1. Breech wrinkle, breech cover and dags must all be scored in un-mulesed animals. Body wrinkle
may be scored on animals that have been mulesed.
2. Unless scored in the marking cradle. Breech wrinkle, breech cover and body wrinkle must be scored
in animals off shears. This is to get a accurate indication of wrinkle or cover.
3. Dag must be scored prior to crutching after the season break. Dag must be scored in animals
following a worm burden, two months after the season break. There must be adequate variation in
the scores.
Worm Egg counts
When scoring worm egg count the major quality assurance requirement is that the group average must be
280 eggs per gram or higher. If the group average is under 290 the records for the entire group are
excluded from the analysis as there is not enough quality data to give accurate expression of genetics
differences between animal. A good rule of thumb is to measure a portion of the animals first to ensure
that there is an adequate worm burden before measuring the entire group.
A list of the labs currently accredited to record worm egg counts under the service provider tab on the
Sheep Genetics website.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 8

Weights
There are not the major quality assurance guidelines when recording live body weights as the other traits
to measure. However it is important that you consistently check your scales to ensure that they are
accurately measuring. Weights should be recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg.
Summary
Trait Age that can be recorded Requirements
Fleece weight Yearling-Adult 10 months or older, 6 months
wool growth
Fibre tests Yearling-Adult 10 months or older, 5 months
wool growth
Carcase Scanning Early Post weaning-Hoggett Group average age older than
100 days, heavier than 30 kgs
liveweight
Worm Egg Counts Weaning-Hogett Group average to be higher
than 280 eggs per gram
Visual traits (breech cover,
Breech Wrinkle, body wrinkle)
Marking-adult
Animals unmulesed and in
short wool
Dag Marking-Adult In umulesed animals prior to
crutching following the season
break
Table 1. Summary of suitable times and quality assurance procedures for measuring traits in Sheep
Genetics.
If you have any questions regarding the planning of your measurement program please do not hesitate to
contact the office on 02 6773 2948 or info@sheepgenetics.org.au.
MERINOSELECT & LAMBPLAN Branding
Marketing Your Business
With ram sale season quickly approaching it is time to consider how to get
the most out of your advertising and marketing approach.
As members of Sheep Genetics the use of MERINOSELECT or
LAMBPLAN logos is key in the promotion of your business. The use of
these logos signal your commitment to genetic technology that is accurate
and quality assured. It also signals that your business is a part of the worlds
largest and most powerful sheep genetics database.
Displaying your logo in conjunction with MERINOSELECT or LAMBPLAN
logos gives you the strength and brand recognition associated with genetic
excellence.
Below are the two logos that you will be able to implement into your
marketing strategy, promoting your business in alliance with Sheep
Genetics.
For an electronic copy of these files for your own use or to be used by a commercial printing
company please contact the office on 02 6773 2948 or email through your request to
info@sheepgenetics.org.au
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 9

How to Score Visual Traits for MERINOSELECT
MERINOSELECT have launched ASBVs for Early Breech Cover and Late Dag. The aim of this document
is to help you score the traits now included in the MERINOSELECT analysis. The scoring system is from
the visual scores guide. To obtain a copy of the visual scores guide please contact the Sheep Genetics
office on 02 6773 2948 or email info@sheepgenetics.org.au
Dag
Dag is on a 1-5 scale and refers to the quantity of faecal material adhering to the wool surrounding the
breech and extending down the hind legs. A score of 1 is a animal that has no dags on the legs or
breech. A score of 5 is a animal that has extensive dags not only remaining in the breech area, but
extending right down the hind legs to the pasterns.
Animals must be a minimum 4 months old. Animals must also be scored prior to crutching and
approximately 2 months after the season break. Animals should only be dag scored if they have
not been mulesed.
Figure 1.1 visual
scores guide for
scoring Dag in sheep
Breech Cover
Breech Cover is scored on a 1-5 scan and refers to the amount of natural bare skin around the perineum
and breech area. A score of 1 refers to an animal that has a natural bare area that extends outwards
around the anus and vulva. An animal that is a score 5 for breech cover has no bare area at all in this
area.
Animals can be either scored in the cradle or in the race to have breech cover scores accepted. Animals
ideally should be scored be at marking in the cradle
Figure 1.2 Visual
scores guides for
scoring breech cover
in lambs
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 10

Breech Wrinkle
Breech Wrinkle is scored on a 1-5 scan and refers to the degree of wrinkle at the tail set and down the
hind legs. A score of 1 refers to an animal that has no wrinkle. A score 5 animal has extensive wrinkle at
the tail set and extending down the hind legs to the hocks.
Animals can be scored for breech wrinkle in the marking cradle of off shears. Breech wrinkle can only be
scored on unmulesed animals.
Figure 1.3 Visual
scores guide for
scoring breech
wrinkle in lambs
Using Genes to Improve Muscling in Sheep Fay Haynes
Increased lean meat yield can be achieved by
selecting meat sheep sires for known genes that
have positive effects on meat traits along with the
traditional breeding selection methods. Researchers
have found a naturally occurring change in a gene
that is known to increase muscle and decrease fat.
The gene is myostatin, a suppressor of skeletal
muscle growth and a change in the gene reduces the
production of the myostatin protein resulting in
increased muscling and reduced fat. Variation in
myostatin have been identified in both sheep and
cattle breeds.
Preliminary research carried out Sheep CRC PhD
student Fay Haynes from the University of New
England has found that number of copies of altered
myostatin gene influences muscling. Sheep with two
copies of the myostatin change have at least a 17%
increase in carcass size and those animals with one
copy have approximately 9% increase, with both
decreasing carcass fat by approximately 12%.
Research on naturally occurring changes to the gene
has been of international and local interest with
studies carried out in Belgium, France, New Zealand,
America and also Australia, and all have found an
increase in skeletal muscle size in animals with a
gene change that reduces myostatin protein.
Following on from Fay‟s preliminary findings, her
early research also recognised that nutrition affects
the growth of lambs with only one copy of the altered
myostatin gene. She found that lambs with a copy of
the gene that were offered unrestricted access to
feed had more muscle growth than those without a
copy, but when offered restricted nutrition the lambs
with one copy performed more poorly than their
normal counterparts. Similar forms of the gene are
also found in beef cattle breeds but the nutritional
effect differs as cattle research colleagues have
found that under unrestricted access to feed cattle
with one copy performed better in converting feed to
muscle growth and under low nutrition or restricted
growth, the animals appear to perform as well if not
better with this naturally occurring myostatin change.
Further research is required to determine the effect of
this gene on development and other performance
traits such as lamb survival, reproduction, growth and
efficiency characteristics. To this end, Fay has bred a
flock of lambs that have none, one or two copies of
the myostatin gene and she is currently assessing
them for live animal traits such as birth, weaning and
post-weaning weights. She will also look at the
effects of the gene on growth, fat development,
carcass and meat quality traits. Fay is pictured with a
“one copy” ewe and her lamb.
Australian sheep meat breeds known to carry this
form of myostatin are the Texel sheep in which over
95% of sheep within the breed are carriers, White
Suffolks with around 10%, Poll Dorset with less than
1% and Charollais sheep. The myostatin gene was
originally discovered in 1997 in mice by scientists
investigating the role of different proteins that affect
growth.
Further information:
Fay Haynes
02 67731992 or
fhaynes@une.edu.au
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 11

Sheep Genetics Satisfaction Survey 2010
A survey was sent to all current subscribers to Sheep Genetics. A total of 627 surveys were distributed with
94 or 15% returned. A summary of the results of those returned are as follows and the full report can be
viewed on our website. All comments and suggestions are included in the full report on the web.
General Information and Website
What type of Breeder are you
What is the size of your flock
How often do you visit the Sheep
Genetics website
Do you use the search section of
the website
Do you use the web catalogue to
advertise sale animals
Do you use the web catalogue to
advertise semen sales
Do you use the website as an
information source
Would you like to receive training
via online workshops
Would you like to participate with
other breeders in online forums/
blogs
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
LAMBPLAN
MERINOSELECT
Terminal Maternal Merino Goat Other
47% 23% 29% 0% 1%
0-50 50-100
100-
300
300-
600
600+
11% 18% 26% 32% 13%
0% 4% 15% 23% 58%
Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly Never
8% 37% 32% 12% 11%
4% 44% 36% 16% 0%
Yes
No
84% 16%
96% 4%
Yes Maybe No
14% 50% 36%
4% 79% 17%
Yes Maybe No
18% 36% 46%
16% 56% 28%
Yes
No
89% 11%
92% 8%
Yes Maybe No
36% 42% 22%
36% 48% 16%
Yes Maybe No
20% 44% 36%
16% 56% 28%
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 12

Products & Services
Agree
Neither
Agree or
Disagre
e
Disagree
Staff members can be contacted easily
Requests are dealt with in a timely
manner
Sheep Genetics reports can be easily
interpreted
ASBVs assist achieving breeding
objectives
ASBVs are an effective marketing tool
ASBVs are used to assist in making
joining decisions
ASBVs are used routinely by my
clients to purchase rams or ewes
Do you find the Elite animal listing
useful
LAMBPLAN 22% 52% 24% 2% 0%
MERINOSELECT 24% 40% 32% 0% 4%
LAMBPLAN 18% 42% 25% 12% 3%
MERINOSELECT 12% 28% 24% 24% 12%
LAMBPLAN 23% 52% 14% 6% 5%
MERINOSELECT 36% 40% 20% 4% 0%
LAMBPLAN 40% 38% 14% 3% 5%
MERINOSELECT 48% 36% 12% 0% 4%
LAMBPLAN 31% 25% 36% 6% 2%
MERINOSELECT 36% 24% 28% 8% 4%
LAMBPLAN 43% 28% 20% 6% 3%
MERINOSELECT 54% 25% 13% 4% 4%
LAMBPLAN 9% 33% 27% 16% 16%
MERINOSELECT 8% 25% 33% 21% 13%
Yes Maybe No
LAMBPLAN 59% 29% 13%
MERINOSELECT 44% 32% 24%
LAMBPLAN (You) 45% 15% 40%
Do you (or your clients) find
accuracies confusing
MERINOSELECT
(You)
LAMBPLAN
(Clients)
MERINOSELECT
(Clients)
30% 17% 52%
83% 17%
100%
Have you had the opportunity to attend
a workshop in the past year
LAMBPLAN 31% 6% 63%
MERINOSELECT 46% 0% 54%
Apart from material supplied by Sheep Genetics, from where else do you source genetic information
These answers were not prompted.
26% Other Breeders 18% Only Sheep Genetics
10% Web 08% Sheep CRC
07% MSS 05% Consultants
05% Catalogues
Continued over page...
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 13

Excellent
The next section refers to the publications produced by Sheep Genetics.
Publications
Poor
Good
Please rate the Sheep Genetics
Breeder‟s Bulletin
LAMBPLAN 0% 6% 42% 40% 11%
MERINOSELECT 4% 0% 48% 40% 8%
Please rate the Sheep Genetics Pen
Cards
LAMBPLAN 6% 11% 29% 49% 6%
MERINOSELECT 17% 25% 17% 33% 8%
Please rate the other publications
and marketing material
LAMBPLAN 0% 11% 39% 46% 4%
MERINOSELECT 5% 0% 55% 35% 5%
Is there enough commercial service available to assist with your breeding enterprise
LAMBPLAN MERINOSELECT
Yes 84% 89%
No 16% 11%
Would you like more information on Genomics
LAMBPLAN MERINOSELECT
Yes 80% 81%
No 20% 18%
At what price should the mate selection software be priced
LAMBPLAN MERINOSELECT
$100 39% 22%
$250 39% 44%
$500 23% 33%
$1000 0% 0%
* Only 46% answered this as most seemed confused about the mate selection software.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 14

Sheep Genetics Website A Tool for Information and Marketing
Mating Predictor
If you are a regular visitor to the Sheep Genetics web site, you may have noticed a new addition to the
search page. The Mating Predictor facility has been introduced to help breeders predict the ASBVs for the
progeny that would result from a range of matings between different sires and dams.
The link to the Mating Predictor can be found by going to the sheep Genetics website
(www.sheepgenetics.org.au) and selecting either the LAMBPLAN or MERINOSELECT Search link. The
new Mating Predictor can be found on the Search page, with the link located under the Basic Search and
Advanced Search links.
The Mating Predictor allows you to enter the ID for up to 50 rams and 50 ewes. The ewe IDs can be either
manually entered, or imported in a text or excel file. Once the IDs of the males and females have been
entered, clicking the “Show predicted ASBVs for progeny” button will calculate the mid-parent ASBVs for
each of the possible combinations of matings for the listed rams and ewes. Only breeding values where
the average accuracy of the ram and ewe‟s ASBVs is above the normal accuracy threshold will be
reported.
Please note that the breeding values calculated by the Mating Predictor are indicative values only, based
on what we know from the given pedigree details. The actual ASBVs calculated for any progeny from the
same joining would take into account recorded performance for that animal and its relatives. The
progeny‟s actual ASBVs may therefore vary from the predicted mid-parent values.
All animals with publicly available ASBVs can be used by the Mating Predictor. If you do not publicly list
your animals on the Sheep Genetics web site, you can still utilise the Mating Predictor through the secure
Members Login area.
Image 1: Example results using one terminal sire and two terminal dams.
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 15

PO Box U254
UNE ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Phone: 02 6773 2948
Fax: 02 6773 2707
Email: info@sheepgenetics.org.au
Web: www.sheepgenetics.org.au
Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364 and Australian Wool
Innovation Limited ABN 12 095 165 58, September 2011
ISSN: 1448 790 X
Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, MLA
cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions
contained in the publication. You should make your own enquiries before making decisions
concerning your interests. You may also contact MLA on 1800 023 100. MLA accepts no liability for
any losses incurred if you rely solely on this publication.
Reproduction in whole or part of this publication is prohibited without prior consent and
acknowledgement of Meat & Livestock Australia or Australian Wool Innovation.
Meat & Livestock Australia acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian
Government to support the research and development detailed in this publication.
© Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation (2011)
Spring 2011 www.sheepgenetics.org.au 16