Sheep innovation on display in Dubbo

The Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) will provide a comprehensive overview of sheep industry innovation over the last two decades and highlight its achievements at its final conference later this month.

Held in Dubbo from 19–20 March, the Sheep CRC Final Conference will feature high-energy 10-minute talks and a number of trade displays from CRC participant organisations to showcase how research has resulted in practical products.

“Not only will it cover the major scientific breakthroughs the CRC has delivered, it will also feature topical discussions about life after the CRC and how industry is planning to maintain cooperation between the range of producer and industry organisations involved in the Sheep CRC,” said CRC Chief Executive James Rowe.

Speakers include:

• Murdoch University’s Dave Pethick and JBS’s Mark Inglis discussing meat science and consumer trends;
• Wool processing expert Dave Tester and Gostwyck Merino’s Philip Attard on fabric innovations;
• University of New England geneticist Julius van der Werf and Neogen’s Jason Lilly discussing the genomics revolution;
• Leading producers Andrew Michael, Mark Mortimer, Rob Warburton and Stuart Warner on implementing new technologies on the farm.
   

One of these achievements is the transformation of the sheep industry into a leader in genomics research and technology adoption over the last decade, which was the result of collaborative investment in the Information Nucleus Flock (INF) initiative.

Professor Julius van der Werf, genetics program leader for the Sheep CRC, said the first genomic testing tools that were developed 10 years ago were able to be quickly adopted by Australian sheep breeders because of the volume of high-quality data that was being delivered by the INF.

“Nothing like the INF had been attempted anywhere else in the world, with thousands of sheep being recorded for traits that were not easily measured by breeders — for example, the meat quality of their lambs and parasite resistance of the ewes,” Prof van der Werf said. “As a result of that investment, the Sheep CRC was able to develop genomic tests that could provide breeders with predicted breeding values for these traits on their young rams.”

Prof van der Werf explained that prior to 2001, the industry had taken a fragmented approach to sheep genetic research, but the CRC has considered a ‘whole of the sheep’ approach. It worked in partnership with researchers from universities across Australia, leading producers and breed societies, and industry bodies including Sheep Genetics, Meat & Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation.

“If it wasn’t for the strategic and collaborative approach that coincided with this shift in philosophy, the sheep industry would not be in the position it is today,” he said.

As part of the Sheep CRC Final Conference, Prof van der Werf will headline the ‘Genetics to Genomics’ session discussing ‘Transforming genetic selection’. He will speak alongside leading SA stud breeder Andrew Michael on ‘New tools for a breeder in a hurry’; Neogen Australia’s Jason Lilly on ‘DNA — where is it going?’; and farm adviser Sally Martin on ‘Using genomics to make money’.

Other achievements include RamSelect, which helps improve genetic selection and enables buyers to easily compare rams on the market, and cheaper DNA testing programs.

“The CRC also developed tools for commercial sheep producers, for example the parentage test, the poll horn test and the Flock Profile test,” Prof van der Werf said. “Merino flocks can now easily gauge the genetic potential of their flock and, with RamSelect, they can target the rams that suit their purpose.

“We have also improved the DNA test by selecting the best genetic markers after studying the complete DNA sequence of sheep. This test can be provided to the industry for a price that is very affordable when compared with other industries.

“These tools have led to better prediction of the outcome of selection decisions and faster genetic gains, as well as better ways to combine information to improve wool and meat production for more profitable sheep flocks.”

The Sheep CRC was established in 2001 and, after two extensions to its research agenda by the Commonwealth in 2007 and 2014, its final suite of projects will come to an end in mid-2019. The conference will be its final public event and will run in conjunction with the Sheep Genetics Leading Breeder Forum.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/EricGevaert