Developments in breeding objectives for the Australian sheep industry

摘要: Ram breeders within the Australian sheep industry have used selection indexes for a number of years, but recent developments in created renewed need research on breeding objectives. The main change has been an increase meat prices relative to wool, which lead both adoption dual purpose enterprises with terminal sires from breeds mated Merino dams, and higher awareness value first cross maternal composite ewes. These trends resulted increased interest traits reproduction Merinos. Optimal breed development under this scenario points specialised breeds, sire selected reproduction, improved wool quality reproduction. Ideally, ram should be encouraged recording other fitness related so that these goals can realised. A second important amount genetic information available breeders, Sheep Genetics Australia evaluation system, funded progeny testing system. Customised objectives software (OBJECT SheepObject) will enable use its full potential.