AWI Sheep breeding tools to reduce breech flystrike susceptibility
19 Jul '06
3 min read
Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) announces bare breech Merinos could be the key to a permanent genetic alternative to mulesing in the future, with continued research into the trait.
These Merinos, discovered on Calcookara Merino Stud in South Australia, have a large, wool free area of tight skin around the breech and inner hind legs.
A two-year research project by the University of Adelaide, supported by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has recently concluded.
The research found that the trait is moderately heritable (0.3-0.4), can be transmitted to commercial flocks by using bare breech rams, and selection for the trait could result in mules free animals in around 10 years.
AWI Program Manager for Sheep Productivity, Troy Fischer said many of the bare breech Merinos possessed breeding values for finer fibre diameter and barer breeding values.
"This means selection for finer, barer sheep is readily achievable. With the support of AWI and MLA, further research will look at how the trait is inherited. AWI will also investigate if this trait is found in all bloodlines," said Mr Fischer.
"This is an important step in the search for a low-cost and permanent alternative to mulesing and crutching in the long-term. I would urge all producers to begin looking for bare breech animals in their flocks, using the standard scoring system."
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