Ram genetics data published

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: 8 August 2007

Ram genetics data published

The latest list of breeding values for rams has been published in Meat & Wool New Zealand’s Central Progeny Test (CPT) Results booklet.

Meat & Wool New Zealand Research and Development Portfolio Manager, Andy Bray says the annual publication provides updated lists of the top 25 terminal sires and top 25 dual purpose rams from a total of 120 rams evaluated for a range of growth, meat yield and meat quality traits. For the first time rams are also listed for WormFEC, number of lambs born, fleece weight and facial eczema breeding values.

The lists identify the flock sources of the top ranking rams so that ram buyers can identify where to buy top rams.

Dr Bray said he is keen to see wider use made of the results given the large differences between rams in the tests.

The Meat & Wool New Zealand Central Progeny Test combines resources from the Alliance CPT and the Elite Lamb progeny test. The Alliance Central Progeny Test was set up in 2002 by the Alliance Group with the collaboration of AgResearch, Sheep Improvement Ltd (SIL) and Abacus Biotech. The Elite Lamb tests were supported by Meat & Wool New Zealand at On Farm Research’s farm at Poukawa from 1998. Its objectives are to:-

- Demonstrate how much rams vary in the performance of their progeny.

- Improve genetic connectedness between flocks within a breed and across breeds. These enhance the SIL-ACE analysis (www.silace.co.nz)

- Investigate the genetics of new commercial traits like meat yield (by VIAscan) and meat quality.

The sixth cycle of matings has just been completed at Ashley Dene (Canterbury), Poukawa (Hawkes Bay) and Woodlands (Southland) and a total of 13 new terminal sire rams and 12 new dual purpose rams have been mated this year to bring the total rams involved to 145.

Presentation of the results to farmer meetings can be arranged by contacting Dr Bray at Meat & Wool New Zealand 0800 606 328. The CPT results are available on the Meat & Wool New Zealand website www.meatandwoolnz.com and follow the links to Farming and Research then to CPT results. The booklet is also available by phoning Meat & Wool New Zealand 0800 606 328.

ENDS

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