Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation

Good seasonal conditions in most sheep growing areas and continued strong demand for sheep make it an excellent start to 2012.

Success in a number of research projects during 2011 has set up the Sheep CRC for a strong year in 2012. Particularly exciting is the progress we are making in the area of genetics and genomics. Results from the second Genomics Pilot Project are flowing through to industry and feedback from ram breeders indicates that the broad range of traits and the accuracy of the predicted Research Breeding Values are exceeding expectation. The Pilot Project is still taking entries with around 300 tests still available. Contact Sheep Genetics (Ph: 02 6773 2948) for information about entering rams and submitting samples.

Research on meat eating quality is also making excellent progress . A detailed analysis of consumer assessment of eating quality has identified the key characteristics of meat that determined consumer satisfaction. Many of these characteristics are difficult and expensive to measure and the recent development of genomic technologies, to predict these aspects of eating quality, is therefore very important. Research Breeding Values for meat quality traits and established ASBVs for growth, muscling and fat are available for many increasing numbers of rams involved in the Information Nucleus and the Genomics Pilot Projects.

During 2012 there will be a significant increase in the focus on training and skills development to allow ram buyers to make better informed decisions when selecting rams. The aim is to make the use of ASBV information easy to understand and easy to apply.

Please monitor new information and developments through frequent use of the CRC’s website as this is where we focus much of our attention in communicating with the industry.


Professor James Rowe, CEO


What's Hot Latest News Coming Events
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Better breeding delivers against flystrike - SA case study Tuesday 24th of January 2012
Better breeding delivers against flystrike - SA case study Tuesday 24th of January 2012
While a wetter than average summer in South Australia has raised the prospects of flystrike problems for many graziers, Phil and Ann Hammat are confident their flock will come through unscathed. The Hammats, of Baderloo Poll Merinos, Spalding, have been selecting for a plain body type and proactively applying preventative chemical treatments since they ceased mulesing in 2004. Their flock of 900 stud Poll Merino ewes and 350...

Genetics - the key to doubling net profits Tuesday 17th of January 2012
Genetics - the key to doubling net profits Tuesday 17th of January 2012
Australia’s largest evaluation of merino genetics is about to begin in New South Wales. The Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge 2012-2014 will commence in early April 2012 with up to 60 teams of 30 wethers from participants in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Australia Day lamb eating quality guaranteed for the future Monday 16th of January 2012
Australia Day lamb eating quality guaranteed for the future Monday 16th of January 2012
While Lambassador Sam Kekovich is again out fighting ‘un-Australianism’ in the lead up to January 26, the sheep industry’s top researchers are quietly doing their bit to ensure lamb remains the country’s national dish on Australia Day for years to come. By understanding what consumers really want in terms of lamb eating quality, and then using genetic tools to deliver on these taste requirements, the sheep industry...

Better breeding delivers against flystrike - WA case study Monday 19th of December 2011
Better breeding delivers against flystrike - WA case study Monday 19th of December 2011
In the midst of Western Australia’s tough fly season, Dandaragan sheep producer Peter Wilkinson is confident his sheep will stand up to the test thanks to a long-term investment in genetics. Together with parents Ron and Deanna, Mr Wilkinson operates the Challara Merino Stud, which first embraced breeding for body and wool types that were less susceptible to flies almost 20 years ago. “We were seeing a lot of fleece rot...

Female eye for detail delivers for sheep industry Monday 12th of December 2011
Female eye for detail delivers for sheep industry Monday 12th of December 2011
The role of women on Australia’s sheep properties is no longer confined to baking scones for the shearers, but in embracing all aspects of the business. Modern female sheep producers are often leading the uptake of new technology and data management systems developed by the likes of the Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC), which inform many management and breeding decisions made in the business.

Sheep CRC supports students in rural science Tuesday 6th of December 2011
Sheep CRC supports students in rural science Tuesday 6th of December 2011
For Ellie Noon, the opportunity to learn through a rural placement scholarship has not only confirmed her ambition to pursue a career in the sheep industry, but opened her mind to the potential gains genetic research offers. The Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC) is encouraging students to enter a career in rural science and the sheep industry by supporting the activities of the University of New England’s (UNE)...

Bred Well Fed Well - Kahmoo Station, Cunnamulla (QLD) Monday 6th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well - Kahmoo Station, Cunnamulla (QLD) Monday 6th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well is a practical one-day workshop which highlights the key production benefits of genetics, plus feed management for improved reproduction. This free workshop will be held at Kahmoo Station, Cunnamulla between 8.30am and 3.00pm. Lunch will be provided.

Bred Well Fed Well - Nelyambo Station, Dirranbandi (QLD) Tuesday 7th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well - Nelyambo Station, Dirranbandi (QLD) Tuesday 7th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well is a practical one-day workshop which highlights the key production benefits of genetics, plus feed management for improved reproduction. This free workshop will be held at Nelyambo Station, Dirranbandi.

Bred Well Fed Well - Goondiwindi (QLD) Wednesday 8th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well - Goondiwindi (QLD) Wednesday 8th of February

To RSVP contact Alex Stirton on 0428109620.

Bred Well Fed Well is a practical one-day workshop which highlights the key production benefits of genetics, plus feed management for improved reproduction. This workshop is free and lunch will be provided.

Managing Scanned Ewes Workshop - Benalla/Euroa (VIC) Thursday 9th of February

Contact Jim Shovelton on 0407 953 445 to register your interest.

Click here to find more information.

Managing Scanned Ewes Workshop - Benalla/Euroa (VIC) Thursday 9th of February

Contact Jim Shovelton on 0407 953 445 to register your interest.

Click here to find more information.

These ½ day workshops focus on the management of pregnant ewes and give a good overview of joining, pregnancy and lactation as well as an introduction to some practical tools and skills. For those producers who have pregnancy scanned their ewes these workshops will help them get the most out of their scanned ewes. The workshops include some theory and practical hands-on...

Managing Scanned Ewes workshop - Rochester (VIC) Friday 10th of February

Contact Erica Schelfhorst on 0429 807 689 to register your interest.

Click here to find more information.

Managing Scanned Ewes workshop - Rochester (VIC) Friday 10th of February

Contact Erica Schelfhorst on 0429 807 689 to register your interest.

Click here to find more information.

These ½ day workshops focus on the management of pregnant ewes and give a good overview of joining, pregnancy and lactation as well as an introduction to some practical tools and skills. For those producers who have pregnancy scanned their ewes these workshops will help them get the most out of their scanned ewes. The workshops include some theory and practical hands-on...

2012 National White Suffolk Conference, Hadspen (TAS) Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th of February 2012
2012 National White Suffolk Conference, Hadspen (TAS) Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th of February 2012
This conference will include practical workshops and forum, the Annual General Meeting, a whole lamb cutting demonstration by 'Red Feather Inn' chef and an informal BBQ dinner.


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