Skip to main content

Your internet browser is out of date and not supported by this website. For the best viewing experience on wool.com, please update your browser to one of the options below.

AWEX EMI 1142 -2
Micron 17 1693 -15
Micron 18 1526 -2
Micron 19 1405 -7
Micron 20 1339 -11
Micron 21 1331 -1
Micron 22 1308 +9
Micron 23 1277n +6
Micron 25 698 -7
Micron 26 555 -
Micron 28 390 -7
Micron 30 350 -5
Micron 32 305 -5
MCar 689 +18

Breeding for improved Merino feet

Genetics of Foot health – calling for interested Merino ram breeders to participate in a new three-year research, development and extension project.

The project has three activities where woolgrowers can nominate to be involved:

Activity 1 - enter a semen sire into the central progeny test where progeny will be evaluated for foot traits including their susceptibility to ovine interdigital dermatitis (OID) and footrot (30 AI sires per year are being sought for 2024 and 2025).

Activity 2 - contribute eight cull rams per sire that will be challenged to OID and footrot at a research site in Victoria.

Activity 3 - 30 diverse ram breeders are being sought to take part in on-farm assessments of their 2023-, 2024- and 2025-drop progeny including, foot structure and shape, interdigital dermatitis and foot abscess.

The project aims to (i) generate heritability estimates for foot structure, footrot, ovine interdigital dermatitis and foot abscess, (ii) estimate the phenotypic and genetic correlations between all foot health and structure traits, and (iii) release a research breeding value and eventually an ASBV for resistance to footrot for Australian Merino sheep. Ultimately the project aims to develop guidelines for the Australian Merino industry on selection strategies to improve the foot health of sheep.

More information: Refer to the article in the September 2023 edition of Beyond the Bale. For further information and expressions of interest, please contact Dr Amy Lockwood of neXtgen Agri International via amy@nextgenagri.com or Jarryd Krog, Murdoch University via jarryd.krog@murdoch.edu.au.

 

This article appeared in the December 2023 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.

Articles That Might Interest You

Resilience, Feed Efficiency and Survival
Resilience, feed efficiency and survival (lamb and ewe) are key economic traits that we don’t yet have ASBVs for, and thus not included in indexes. AWI is seeking to build the data required and analysis to support these traits to either have ASBVs or be included in indexes through correlated traits. Read more
Footrot
Footrot is a contagious, bacterial disease of the feet of sheep with significant welfare and economic impacts. AWI is developing and promoting tools and information for growers to assist them in managing this disease. Read more
Genetic Evaluation Services
AWI supports services to assist woolgrowers select sheep and optimise genetic gain using a range of genetic evaluation tools. Read more