Sheep Genetics

Quantitative genetics is a scientific method based on a mathematical approach that enables animal breeders to select and breed for improvement in desired productive traits. It is commonly referred to as objective measurement and is widely used throughout the industry. Breeders also seek to improve the visual attributes of their Merino sheep alongside objective measurement to breed a well balanced animal for Australian environmental conditions.

Sheep Genetics is the national genetic information and evaluation service for the meat and wool sectors of the sheep industry, jointly developed and maintained by AWI and MLA. The main purpose of Sheep Genetics is to improve the quality, scope and utilisation of across-flock genetic information for the Australian sheep industry, using a common national language in the form of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs).

MERINOSELECT provides ASBVs for Merino sheep using on-farm data contributed by ram breeders. AMSEA also contributes to the MERINOSELECT data.

Contact Sheep Genetics:
Tel: 02 8055 1818
Website: www.sheepgenetics.org.au