Balmoral Sire Evaluation - Walkover weighing and commercial pedigree options
| Project start date: | 01 July 2013 |
| Project end date: | 30 June 2015 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia |
|
Download Report
(2 MB)
|
|
Summary
Although big differences in performance of individual sheep within a mob are known, without
full pedigree and individual performance analysis, it is difficult to differentiate between
environmental and genetic influences.
This project compared three methods of dam pedigree identification of lambs (Tag at birth, DNA parentage test and ‘Pedigree Matchmaker’ analysis) in a large commercial merino flock using electronic tags. The project also assessed the effectiveness of an in paddock ‘walk over weighing’ (WOW) monitoring system.
The DNA method was the most expensive at $20.00 per lamb weaned but also the most accurate for dam identification at 97.88%. The tag at birth method cost $12.50 per lamb at 85% dam accuracy and Pedigree Matchmaker cost $4.65 per lamb at 85.1% dam identification accuracy. WOW provided real time information on individual and mob weights, as well as performance analysis and the ability to access this information at will via an app on a smartphone.
Objectives
The aim of this project was to demonstrate ‘proof of concept’ of pedigree identification techniques and ‘real-time’ data collection as linked activities and evaluate their effectiveness in relation to proactive flock management, improved genetic gain, and improved productivity and profitability.
Progress
Capital and annual costs for each method show that the most accurate method (DNA) is also significantly more expensive at the current cost of $17 per test. The Visual ID method requires significantly more time and labour input but is the only method that can capture birth traits and date of birth.
Through the use of electronic identification tags, large volumes of data can be recorded and stored on individual animals. This can include pedigree, breeding history and performance data. The ability to capture this information at a reasonable cost, store it and access it when required in a form that is meaningful is the key to improving livestock management, making genetic gain and improving profitability for sheep producers.
