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INDEXES

A Ram Buyer's Guide

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SUSTAINABLE MERINO (SM)

Summary of Sustainable Merino index

• The Sustainable Merino index is based on a production system where the income is from sheepmeat production and the wool clip are reasonably balanced.
 

• The index focuses on genetic improvement of fleece weight, growth and lean meat yield and reproduction.
 

• Emphasis on reduced wrinkle, dag and worm egg count is also included.
 

Production system outline
The Sustainable Merino index is based on a self- replacing production system producing 17–19 micron wool, and selling lambs at post-weaning, off-shears. The wool to meat income ratio of the modelled production system is 46:54.


Sustainable Merino has a strong focus on increasing fleece weight, growth and lean meat yield, and reproduction, whilst maintaining staple strength and fibre diameter. It also focuses on reducing worm egg count, dag and wrinkle. This index is suited to producers with a strong focus on sustainability, particularly those operating in a high rainfall area. In comparison to FW and WP, this index is more balanced between wool and meat production.


Trait contributions
Figure 3 (below) illustrates the relative contribution and balance of the key trait groups within the indexes based on the genetic variation within the traits and their economic importance to the production system. The longer the bar, the greater relative contribution of the trait within the index, and the greater the impact on the profitability of the production system. In SM, fleece weight, reproduction, and sustainability traits contribute most to the profitability of the production system.

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Selection advantage
Selection on the SM index results in increases in fleece weight, growth and lean meat yield, and reproduction, three major profit drivers. It also has emphasis on worm egg count, wrinkle and dag, meaning selection using SM will decrease your flock’s worm egg count, wrinkle and dag. This is particularly advantageous in flocks operating in a high rainfall zone, or with a strong focus on improving welfare traits, whilst producing large volumes of lamb and wool.

When selecting on the SM index, long-term responses in individual traits will vary depending on features of the breeding program including traits measured, level of pedigree recording, use of genomic testing, flock structure and selection emphasis on the index. The selection advantages shown in Table 3 gives an indication of the likely direction and relativity of responses for the SM index.

BEN TODHUNTER • CLEARDALE STATION

+64 21 1403760

29 Double Hill Run, R.D. 12
Rakaia, 7782

New Zealand

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