BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Genetic parameters for meat traits assessed in the Headwaters New Zealand Progeny Test

Introduction Producing and marketing a consistently high-quality lamb product within an integrated value chain is the aim of the Headwaters New Zealand Group (HWNZ). Johnson et al. (2011) demonstrated a large amount of variation exists in the lean meat yield of a carcass, as estimated by the VIAscan® system, for animals that graded the same under the traditional New Zealand lamb-grading system (based on carcass weight and GR a measure of soft tissue depth). VIAscan® is a two-dimensional imaging system (Hopkins et al. 2004) that estimates the percentages of lean in the shoulder, loin and leg regions of the carcass. HWNZ have established a composite breeding programme based on Perendale, Texel, Finn and Romney genetics. HWNZ have been undertaking an annual progeny test of ram lambs since 2010, with generated progeny slaughtered to obtain carcass and meat quality data which are used to generate breeding values for the identification of elite sires for inclusion in the main breeding programme. This paper reports on genetic parameter estimates for the carcass and meat quality traits using this resource.