SHGEN.117-System efficiency in Australia's Sheep Industry

Summary

The aim of this project was to examine targets for genetic improvement of system efficiency in Australia's lamb industry. This was conducted by developing models based on the theory of Parks (1982). Both efficiency of lean meat production and two methods of calculating overall profitability were investigated. It was found that while genetic improvement in maternal (e.g. Border Leicester) and terminal (e.g. Poll Dorset) breeds is significant and in the right direction, it is likely to have a small impact on overall system efficiency. In contrast, genetic improvement in the Merino is the key to improving system efficiency.

It is important to continue with existing emphasis of increasing wool value by increasing clean wool production and decreasing fibre diameter. There will be large returns from increasing reproductive performance through management and also by selection. Returns from improving meat yield in the Merino are likely to be low. It appears that there are significant gains to be made by decreasing maintenance feed requirements by selection ewes that eat less per unit body weight. Genetic markers are an ideal tool to achieve this since intake is expensive and difficult to measure, and there are not obvious correlated traits, although IGF-1 may be an exception. The time is right to develop a genetic mapping program for feed intake in the Merino, with the aim of developing gene tests for commercialisation within five years.