Workshop: Merino Selection Strategies - 10 June 2009

The Merino Selection Strategies workshop allows the commercial Merino breeder to review their breeding direction and try out different options including different measurements and how selecting ewes stacks up.

Time: 4 hours

Participant numbers: 10–20

Meals: Afternoon tea provided

Location: NSW DPI Glen Innes Research Station, Strathbogie Rd, Glen Innes

Time: 1pm – 5 pm

Date: Wednesday 10^th June 2009

RSVP: Thursday 4^rd June 2009, Deb Maxwell, training@sheepcrc.org.au 02 6779 4262

Program includes:

What are the key measurements and visual assessments?

· Overview of key measurements that affect profit and the variety of visual scores that can now be used.

How can you use measurements?

· Overview of ASBVs and their value compared to use of raw measurements in ram selection

· Culling levels

· Indexes

· Selection differential

Can measurements profit your flock?

· Use your basic flock data to see how profits stack up

· Looks at the value of retaining wethers

· Uses the OFFM Calculator and the Wether Calculator

Which measurements and which sheep?

· Try out a variety of selection strategies using one or more of fibre diameter, fleece weight and body weight as well as rams, ewes or both.

· Use the Selection Assist program

Using measurements for meat/wool decisions.

· Consequences on the self-replacing Merino flock of mating Merinos to meat sheep

· How to simply combine FD and Body Weight data to make an index-based drafting list for keep/sell Merino wethers or meat sire/wool sire Merino ewe matings

· Use Merino Versus Terminal Sire Calculator and Simultaneous Assortment program

Participants take away a copy of all of the programs used as well as workshop notes.

Download

Bundilla Merino story - Making Merinos Count presentation slides - Rick Baldwin (Bundilla Merinos) (2.48 MB)