PRODUCERS of Australia’s finest wool are embracing new genomic technologies to improve the quality of their flocks and their fleeces.
At a seminar of the Australia Superfine Wool Growers Association (ASWGA) in Canberra last Saturday, sheep producers and ram breeders heard first hand of the new opportunities presented by the latest in DNA technology.
Chief Executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry and Innovation, Professor James Rowe, told the conference that genomic testing of young rams could accurately predict the quality of the wool of their progeny.
“Previously high-value traits such as adult fleece weight and adult fibre diameter could only be measured late in life; now they can now be accurately predicted in young rams based on DNA analysis,” Professor Rowe said.
“This will provide Merino breeders and superfine wool producers with greater confidence in making earlier selection of their breeding stock.”
DNA tests can now be used to produce predictive research breeding values (RBVs), which are based on a blend of new genomic technology and the conventional measurement techniques which support Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs). ASBVs are the most practical way to objectively assess and select for or against a variety of traits.
Delivery of DNA-based breeding values is a result of research led by the Sheep CRC, through its Information Nucleus Flock and Genomics Pilot Projects. Results to date have been delivered via two Pilot Projects through Sheep Genetics to their clients of MERINOSELECT and LAMBPLAN.
Operating as part of the Federal Department of Innovation Industry Science and Research’s CRC program, the Sheep CRC is a collaboration of industry, government and the commercial sector. It is working to increase productivity and profitability of the industry through new technologies for adoption by both the meat and wool supply chains.
The ASWGA is an international association of superfine wool growers and processors founded to ensure a viable superfine Merino wool industry.
ASWGA President Helen Cathles said its members were striving for the highest standards of wool production, manufacture and promotion, and as such were keenly interested in the latest research and technology.
“Genetic research is vital to the future of superfine wool producers and the sheep industry as a whole,” Mrs Cathles said.
“Embracing the research being conducted by the Sheep CRC is a high priority for our membership, as it offers new solutions to improve on-farm operations and their business bottom line.
“Growers at the seminar were very interested in the financial benefits resulting from faster and better-balanced genetic gain. The additional $0.30 per ewe per year from using genomic technologies is very attractive, particularly on top of benefits such as accurate pedigree and horn-poll testing.
“The breadth of traits that can now be identified by DNA testing will help our members to improve their stock by targeting specific traits important to their profitability, including fleece weight, tensile strength and micron.
“The Information Nucleus program has been responsible for new DNA-technologies and at our ASWGA Council meeting on Friday we endorsed the continuation of the program post-CRC and will be following up on how that might be achieved.”
Prof. Rowe said another trait of particular appeal to both stud and commercial Merino breeders was the new DNA test for the horned or polled appearance.
“Use of the new genomic information should make it a lot easier to breed for polled animals in the future,” Prof. Rowe said.
“New DNA tests are also set to provide accurate determination of parentage and this test will be particularly beneficial for breeders using syndicate mating and for breeders preparing rams for shows where the timing can interfere with fleece testing.”
* For more information on how to apply genomic research breeding values to Merino production, visit www.sheepcrc.org.au or www.sheepgenetics.org.au