Genomic Testing Lamb Quality
Meat Elite Australia members recently met in Bendigo to discuss innovations in the sheep industry. Genomic testing for meat eating qualities was a key topic on the agenda.
Meat Elite members had previously attended the Sheep Genetics Australia Leading Breeder Conference. The conference canvassed developments in the use of genomics as a breeding and ram selection tool. While commercial and seedstock producers have realized the value of Australian Sheep Breeding Values as predictors of sheep performance in growth, fat, muscling, worm resistance and lambing ease, ASBVs don’t predict meat eating qualities.
As Dale Price, Meat Elite Australia explained, “genomics testing has improved our capacity to identify sheep with superior meat eating qualities while the animal is still alive. In the past the animal had to be slaughtered to assess these characteristics. Lamb is renowned as a superb source of protein and we are keen to improve these qualities for the consumer.”
L - R: Greg Funke 'Bundarra Downs' Western Flat, Mary Currie 'Lyndoch Park' Dergholm, Adam Price 'Majardah' Glencoe, Peter Horwood 'Lockier River' Mingenew and Damon Coats 'Ilfracombe' Poll Dorsets studs checking out genomics tested sires.
The Meat Elite group is considered a world leading co-operative breeding group. By sharing genetics and gathering highly accurate data on individual animals the group has made 21% progress above the terminal sire index. ‘Already the Meat Elite group has gathered two years of Research Breeding Values on sheep within member’s flocks,’ said Chairperson Mr. Ian Gillett of Wunnamurra Poll Dorset Stud.
The next exciting development in genomics testing will involve a computer assisted search of all retained 2012 young sires in MEA flocks to identify those animals showing superior meat eating qualities. ‘We’ll also genomics test some with expected lower eating quality so we can benchmark the results. Meat Elite members have a history of supporting scientific research in the sheep meat industry hence this project,” explained Peter Horwood, ‘Lockier River Poll Dorsets’ Mingenew Western Australia.
While presenting a paper at the Leading Breeder Conference about Meat Elite Australia, Dale Price outlined the co-operative ventures that Meat Elite members use to adapt to processor and consumer driven demands. He explained that this had benefits for Meat Elite flock clients. Producers will be able to gain further information about the genomic initiative through the Sheep Genetics Australia website and by contacting members via the Meat Elite website.