Developments in breeding objectives for the Australian sheep industry

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