MLA Resource Flock: Satellite Flocks for eating quality and carcase traits  (current)

November 2020  l  Project funded by Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian White Suffolk Association

Project Aim:
To join 15 White Suffolk sires to 300 Merino ewes, measure traits in the live lambs, slaughter the lambs and do full measurements of eating quality and carcase traits on every carcase. This information then goes into Sheep Genetics and gives accurate ASBVs for carcase and eating quality traits.

Project Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to test progeny of sires within the White Suffolk breed that are not well linked to the current MLA Resource Flock. This will broaden the footprint of White Suffolk sheep that have actually had carcase and eating quality testing done on lambs. It means that Genomics tests subsequently completed by White Suffolk studs that have sheep that are related to the sires in the project will be much more accurate and useful. This will therefore allow better selection decisions and faster genetic gain in eating quality and carcase traits for all White Suffolk breeders.

The sires selected for this project will provide the greatest diversity of bloodlines, have been used in the most number of White Suffolk flocks possible, and with the least relationship to the MLA Resource Flock.

Selected Sires:
The project subcommittee is currently working through the selection criteria and list of sire nominations.
Selected sires to be announced shortly.

More information:
Project Manager - Debbie Milne, mob: 0407 724 066
Secretary - Nikki Ward, mob: 0488 018 765
Or view more information from Sheep Genetics here.

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