Flystrike Genomics
AWI with the Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) is investigating flystrike and DNA results from R&D and private flocks to first produce ‘within flock’ breech and body strike breeding values and then ‘across flock’ multi trait Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) by 2027.
AWI with the Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) is investigating flystrike and DNA results from R&D and private flocks to first produce ‘within flock’ breech and body strike breeding values and then ‘across flock’ multi trait Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) by 2027.
Twelve ram breeder flocks and five Merino Sire Evaluation sites have commenced collecting flystrike phenotypes and genotypes (although some have had low expression over the recent fly season), and other interested producers will join in once within flocks breeding values can be reported back to them next year. The first within flock breeding values for breech and body strike were produced for Grant and Annette Burbidge in early 2024 and the first across flock breech strike values to 12 contributing flocks in Jan 2025.
Read about Flystrike Genomics in AWI’s Industry Communications
