AWI grower networks
AWI's grower networks are fundamental to the spread of new ideas, continuing education and the adoption of best practice.
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- Sheep Breeding
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Sheep Breeding
AWI supports sheep breeding research and development (R&D), benchmarking programs and breeder tools for woolgrowers wanting to monitor, set targets and optimise the rate of genetic gain of their sheep.
Ongoing AWI commitments to sheep breeding R&D include:
- Three linked programs - MERINOSELECT, Merino Superior Sires and Merino Bloodline Performance - that assess genetic performance at the progeny, sire and bloodline level respectively, and deliver the results directly to woolgrowers.
- Flystrike Genetics and Genomics, with the ultimate goal of reducing the need for mulesing to prevent flystrike.
- Finding more accurate, cost effective ways to select across-flock for staple strength.
- Genomics, which has the potential to deliver pedigree and genomic enhanced Breeding Values.
- The recently updated Visual Sheep Scores.
- Support for specialised information through Making More From Sheep and other training programs.
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MERINOSELECT
MERINOSELECT is the national genetic information and benchmarking service for ram and commercial sheep breeders in the Merino industry. -
Merino Superior Sires
Merino Superior Sires compares the breeding performance of nominated sires through an independent and robust sire evaluation program. -
Merino Lifetime Productivity
This project will collect data and examine lifetime productivity on progeny that result from Merino Sire Evaluation trials across Australia.
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Sheep Selection Tools
This booklet provides a summary of a wide range of industry tools available to woolgrowers to help achieve their breeding goals.
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Merino Bloodline Performance
Woolgrowers can compare Merino bloodlines from Australia-wide wether trials and on-farm comparisons run over the past ten years. -
Breech Strike Genetics
Research continues at two main sites across Australia to identify sheep with high natural resistance to breech strike. -
Making More From Sheep
The Making More From Sheep manual captures, in one handy reference, useful information about the "must dos" of managing a successful sheep and/or wool enterprise. -
Genomics
Genomics offers benefits to woolgrowers wanting to assess traits that are hard to measure. -
Visual Sheep Scores
This guide provides the industry with a common language for the visual description, recording and classing of all breeds of sheep according to important visual traits. -
Visual Classing Merino Sheep
Visual sheep classing is practiced by all breeders and is essential to the quality of a woolgrower's flock and enterprise profitability. -
Training
AWI is involved in the establishment and delivery of training programs for woolgrowers wanting to improve profitability through better sheep breeding and management practices. -
Staple Strength
Research into the best predictor for staple strength for breeding purposes. -
Publications
Select from a range of AWI sheep breeding publications available in hard copy or on-line. -
Reproduction
The ewe is the engine room of any wool business. It makes good sense to have ewes in the right condition at the right time.
More in Parent Section
- Sheep Health |
- Sheep Nutrition |
- Sheep Breeding |
- Pest Animals |
- Lamb Survival |
- Australian Sheep Welfare Standards and Guidelines |
- Smart Tags