“A low, squat, ‘wide brick’ of an animal will be the efficient breeding ewe of 2027”. That's according to New Zealand-based sheep scientist Dr Mark Ferguson. Mark was a keynote speaker at the recent Trigger Vale Genetics’ 2017 information day in southern NSW. “Mature ewe size is reduced, the face is plainer and the shape has gone from a big frame to lower, stockier animals. As we get into these ‘extreme muscling’ sheep, we are seeing animals with early maturity. They are positive for muscle and fat, and robust.” In parallel with selecting for muscling, MLA research has identified the need to maintain a balanced focus on eating quality, a crucial trait for consumer satisfaction into the future.
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