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Publication Date

4-2006

Series Number

4676

Abstract

Research and sheep productivity trial results demonstrate a huge variability in genetic productivity between flocks. For example a range of up to 2 kg clean fleece weight, 5 microns, 55 percentage points in lambing percentage and 20 kg live weight, can lead to big differences in gross margin between flocks.

There is an opportunity for genetic improvement, depending on your current ram source or sires performance. For example, Western Australian (WA) Wether Trial results suggest half the WA flocks could improve clean fleece weight per head by half a kilogram or more. The trial results suggest that this could occur while maintaining fibre diameter, by identifying genetically superior ram sources. A survey of past participants of wether trials indicated that 90% had learnt something about their flock. Of the 45% who considered they had made a significant change, about half had changed their ram source.

Number of Pages

14

ISSN

1448-0352

Keywords

Sheep, Benchmarking, Ewes, Wethers, Genetics, Western Australia

Disciplines

Animals | Genetics

Comments

Replacing Farmnote 47/2003.

Ewe and wether trials - tools for benchmarking your sheep genetics

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