Latest Updates - Winter 2010
INF data analysis is now well underway and results of genetic analysis of first 2 lamb drops have been completed for wool and meat, with close involvement from the sheep genetics team at AGBU. Results for lamb survival are not hopeful (limited genetic variation) and parasite data seems to have limited added value above what is already recorded in industry.
The joint CRC and Sheep Genomics analysis of genomic data is now completed and has shown higher accuracies of predicted ASBVs, especially for Merinos. Genomic accuracies for terminal sire breeds are still low, and estimation of breed specific SNPs is underway but challenging. The next step is to analyse carcass and meat traits, for which there are no existing ASBVs.
The Genomics Pilot Project is receiving DNA samples from over 360 young industry sires, with most extracted and sent for genotyping. Good progress has been made in developing methods to include genomic estimated breeding values into OVIS to increase the accuracies of ASBVs, with results expected in August.
What is the Information Nucleus?
The
Information Nucleus is a world first innovation for sheep, providing new information about traits and their genetic makeup to the sheep industry, and supporting the three core research programs of the Sheep CRC.
The Information Nucleus consists of a series of flocks totalling 5,000 ewes, located at eight research sites in widely differing environments around Australia. Each year, these ewes will produce progeny by 100 young and proven Merino, maternal and terminal sires.
The progeny will be extensively measured and assessed for current and new traits in meat and wool quality, parasite resistance and reproduction.
This information will be used to:
- Enhance the accuracy of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for current traits
- Contribute to the development of ASBVs for new traits
- Validate molecular markers for current and new traits
- Develop breeding values that combine phenotypic and DNA based information
The Information Nucleus will also be the focus of sheep management, wool and meat research being undertaken in the other Sheep CRC research programs.
Benefits to industry
Producers will be able to use the developments in new genetic technology and molecular information to advance their breeding objectives and achieve more rapid and targeted genetic gain.
The Information Nucleus will produce:
- Phenotype information from progeny that will contribute to sire ASBVs and to the overall linkage of the Sheep Genetics analyses
- Increasingly accurate ASBVs due to greater across-flock linkage
- New commercially applicable traits added directly to Sheep Genetics
- Landmark research resulting in the validation of gene markers and SNPs that will contribute to the development of molecular breeding values
- Molecular breeding values that will be incorporated into enhanced ASBVs to more accurately select sheep for a range of traits at a young age
The Information Nucleus sites are hosting regular field days to enable producers, industry professionals and students to view the progeny and to keep up-to-date with the outcomes of the Sheep CRC programs.
Where are the sites located?
CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351