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AWEX EMI 1132 +7
Micron 17 1658 +9
Micron 18 1499 +13
Micron 19 1401 +19
Micron 20 1336 +28
Micron 21 1301 +20
Micron 22 1251n +15
Micron 26 608 +10
Micron 28 402 +7
Micron 30 355 +10
Micron 32 310n +3
MCar 678 +7

Genetic Evaluation Services

AWI supports services to assist woolgrowers select sheep and optimise genetic gain using a range of genetic evaluation tools.

AWI supports services to assist woolgrowers select sheep and optimise genetic gain using a range of genetic evaluation tools.

There are five steps to follow in the hunt for cost effective genetic gain.

  • Step 1: Establish / review your flock breeding objective for the next 10 years. Keep it brief.
  • Step 2: Benchmark your performance in all your key traits.
  • Step 3: Monitor and evaluate your performance against the goals
  • Step 4: Is your gain cost effective
  • Step 5: Talk with your ram breeder / advisor about your goals, back to step 1

Genetic Evaluation Tools

The following genetic evaluation tools provide woolgrowers with comprehensive information to benchmark your progress in association with your classer / advisor / ram seller.

Merino Bloodline Performance

Merino Bloodline Performance allows woolgrowers to compare Merino bloodlines based on the results of wether and ewe trials, run across Australia.

merino-bloodline-performance-accordion.jpg

Merino Bloodline Performance highlights the diversity in wool production, wool quality and profitability for a wide range of bloodlines and allows woolgrowers to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each bloodline.

The 2018 results demonstrate significant variation in production between the 73 bloodlines, with a range of 3.6 µm in fibre diameter, 28% in clean fleece and 13% in liveweight. These production differences translate into very significant differences in bloodline profitability.

Further Information

View the latest Merino Bloodline Performance Results by navigating to the website, then scrolling down to view the latest Analysis Reports.

View other wether and ewe trail reports or you can download copies:

Merino Superior Sires

merino-superior-sires-logo.jpgThe Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association runs Merino Sire Evaluation by comparing the progeny of 12 to 15 sires at a specific site over 2 years. The association produces annual reports that are published on the Merino Superior Sires website. There are 10 sites across Australia.

The sites are run by local committees who make a considerable contribution through in kind labour. Additional running costs are covered by sire entrant fees which range from $3,000 to $5,000 per sire between the sites. Collectively, the sites are overseen by the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) Executive Committee made up of site representatives, AWI, MLA, and the Executive Officer. AWI funds the operations of the Executive.

Individual sires are joined through artificial insemination to 50 to 60 ewes. The ewes are randomly drawn from a consistent, well classed line of ewes to avoid bias. Link sires allow sires to be compared between years and between sites. Results are reported annually at a site field day and a Site Report on all assessments, including sire means and Flock Breeding Values, is produced and placed on the Merino Superior Sires website.

AMSEA produces an annual Merino Superior Sires publication which includes all AMSEA data combined with on-farm (ram breeder) data relating to the relevant sires.

Further Information

MERINOSELECT

merino-select-logo.jpgMERINOSELECT is the national genetic information and benchmarking service for the Merino industry. The service provides a single national language in the form of "across flock" Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs).

Ram breeders and commercial woolgrowers can use these breeding values to compare the genetic potential of rams and ewes for a range of commercial traits, independent of the environment and location.

MERINOSELECT is managed by Sheep Genetics, as part of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and is based in Armidale NSW.

Further Information

DOHNE MERINO

dohne-logo.jpgDOHNE MERINO is the national genetic information and benchmarking service for the Dohne Merino breed. The database uses the same structure as MERINOSELECT and is managed by Sheep Genetics.

A Dohne ASBV describes the expected performance of a Dohne' s progeny for a trait relative to the performance of all Registered Australian Dohne ram breeding flocks.

Sheep Genetics reports two standard indices for the DOHNE MERINO analysis; the Dohne Base index and the Dohne Plus index. Both indices were developed in conjunction with the Australian Dohne Breeders Association (ADBA), as well as using feedback from Dohne breeders to identify economic breeding objectives in commercial Dohne flocks.

Further Information

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