Maternal Central Progeny Test

Summary

Uptake of genetic technology and improvement of the Australian lamb industry in maternal breeding lags that in other sectors. The maternal central progeny test (MCPT) evaluated the variation in progeny performance of maternal sires and the scope for genetic improvement. MCPT tested 91 sires from several maternal breeds and focused on evaluation of the 1stX ewe progeny which were mated for 3 lambings with their 2ndX lambs slaughtered. There were important breed effects although variation among individual sires was far greater ($40 gross margin / ewe / year). This means $20,000 higher annual profit for a 1000 ewe enterprise having 1stX ewes sired by top rather than average maternal genetics. Variation in lamb weaning rate (differences of 45% between 1stX ewe progeny groups of sires) was the major profit driver, along with 2ndX lamb growth (3.6 kg post weaning weight) and carcase fat (2.2 mm GR). There were also large differences for age of puberty, milk and wool production from the 1stX ewes. The correlations between maternal sire LAMBPLAN EBVs and growth, carcase and wool production of their progeny were positive and moderately high, with reproduction lower. More widespread recording of reproduction information in maternal breeds should improve the accuracy of reproduction EBVs.​​