EPISODE 1: What are Australian Sheep Breeding Values?
Australian sheep breeding values – or ASBVs – allow you to predict the genetics each animal will pass on to their progeny. This short animation clearly explains the ins and outs of ASBVs.
Merinos
What difference can genetics make to Merino flocks?
There’s no doubt. When you’re buying a ram, his physical and structural soundness must be factored in. But what you can’t see is just as important. Using breeding values allows you to see ‘under the hood’ of an animal. You can see his weak points and his strengths to help decide if he’s the right fit for your flock.
Can you pick the performer?
Take two Merino rams. Same price. Same weight. Same micron. Both structurally sound. Which one would you choose? Find out by watching this short video and see what difference genetics can make.
What have other prime lamb producers gained from genetics?
Meet Merino producers Russell and Ricky Luhrs, and Nick Gay. They share their journey with breeding values and how they’ve accelerated the performance of their flock.
Meet Ricky and Russell Luhrs
Russell and Ricky Luhrs run a commercial prime lamb and Merino sheep operation across three properties in western Victoria.
"When Ricky started bringing in new genetics, you could see the results as soon as the new lambs hit the ground. They were bigger and they just grew." Russell Luhrs
Meet Nick Gay
In Nick Gay’s experience, good management and genetic tools are the criteria for success when it comes to breeding Merinos that will pay dividends.
“Genetic tools really just help you identify the highly productive sheep and back the ones that are going to perform for you – and that will flow through directly on to your profitability.” Nick Gay
How do I get started with genetics?
Accelerating your flock’s performance with better breeding values starts with setting your breeding objective, understanding estimated breeding values and selection indexes and knowing your way around the Sheep Genetics website.
You can then start to apply your new-found knowledge when you’re ready to shop for your next high performing ram.
Here are some short ‘how-to’ animated videos to help get you started with using breeding values. It’s best to watch them in the order shown. Take your time. Watch and re-watch the videos at your leisure.
MODULE 1: Getting started with breeding values
EPISODE 1: What are Australian Sheep Breeding Values?
EPISODE 2: How do I set a breeding objective for my sheep flock?
EPISODE 3: What are sheep indexes?
EPISODE 2: How do I set a breeding objective for my sheep flock?
Before you start using breeding values, you need to know what you’re trying to achieve with your flock. Here are some important things to consider when setting your breeding objective.
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EPISODE 3: What are sheep indexes?
A sheep index takes a range of important production traits and combines them into one number so you can rank rams, quickly and easily. Find out how they work and the different indexes you can pick and choose from.
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MODULE 2: Using breeding values to select for traits
Episode 1: Reproduction traits
Episode 2: Weight traits
Episode 3: Carcase and eating quality traits
Episode 4: Health and Welfare traits
Episode 5: Wool traits
Episode 6: Wool Visual Traits
Episode 1: Reproduction traits
Reproduction traits are most important in self-replacing flocks where retaining females for breeding is a focus. These traits will positively influence the reproductive performance of a ram’s daughters. This short video explains the four reproduction traits available.
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Episode 2: Weight traits
Weight ASBV traits are used in sheep production systems to either improve growth or control birthweight and mature ewe size. This video explains the six weight traits available.
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Episode 3: Carcase and eating quality traits
Carcase and eating quality ASBV traits are important traits in most production systems, especially for producers trading in prime lamb markets. This short video explains the four carcase traits and two eating quality traits available.
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Episode 4: Health and Welfare traits
Health and welfare traits assist in raising healthy sheep that meet our long-term sustainability needs. This short video explains the seven health and welfare traits available.
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Episode 5: Wool traits
Wool ASBV traits are used to describe the quantity and quality of wool producing sheep. The amount of wool cut and the quality of wool are key factors to increase profit. This short video explains the three quantity traits and the 4 quality traits.
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Episode 6: Wool Visual Traits
There are also visual wool quality traits reported, as some traits that impact wool income can be visually scored. This short video explains the four visual wool quality traits.
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MODULE 3: Putting breeding values into practice
EPISODE 1: How do I shop for a high performing ram?
EPISODE 1: How do I shop for a high performing ram?
This video steps you through how to go about buying a high performing ram, providing tips on what to do before, during and after the sale.
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More information
Contact
Chloe Bunter, Sheep Genetics, 02 8055 1818. Email: info@sheepgenetics.org.au
Resources
- MERINOSELECT is Australia’s genetic evaluation system for Merino producers.
- DOHNE MERINO is Australia’s genetic evaluation system for Dohne Merino producers.
- BredWell FedWell workshops help producers analyse and plan a genetics and nutrition regime suited to their environment and markets to boost profitability.
- Profitable Grazing Systems takes small groups of producers and pairs them with specialist coaches who share their knowledge, skills and experience on topics including genetics and reproduction.