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Title
Genetic evaluation of adult ewe bodyweight and condition: relationship with lamb growth, reproduction, carcass and wool production
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Publication Date
2017
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
This paper reports on genetic variation in the growth, wool production, carcass, reproduction and the bodyweight and body condition of ewes managed in the Information Nucleus Flock (INF), with a focus on evaluating the potential value of including adult ewe bodyweight and condition change traits in the Australian national sheep genetic evaluations provided by Sheep Genetics. Data were collected over a 7-year period (2007-2013) at eight research sites across southern Australia. Approximately 13 700 ewes were weighed and condition scored with ewes on average mated four times during the study. Adult ewe weight and body condition were recorded across the production cycle and the impact of the physiological status and change in status of the ewe on the genetic relationships with lamb growth, carcass and wool production traits was evaluated. Strong genetic correlations between measurements across the production cycle for adult ewe bodyweight and condition, low heritability of change traits, along with weak genetic relationships between change traits and key production traits suggest that in production systems where nutritional challenges can be managed, change traits provide no improvement to the current practice of using static bodyweight and condition records. The genetic variation in weight and body condition and their genetic relationships with production traits were highly consistent across ages and the production cycle. As a result, the current practice by Sheep Genetics to treat adult weight as a single trait with repeat records is most likely sufficient. However, the inclusion of body condition within the Sheep Genetics evaluation has potential to assist in improving maternal performance, and the feed costs associated with maintaining ewe body condition.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Animal Production Science, 57(1), p. 20-32
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication
Australia
ISSN
1836-5787
1836-0939
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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