INFORMATION NUCLEUS
What is the Information Nucleus?
The
Information Nucleus is a world first innovation for sheep, providing new information about traits and their genetic makeup to the sheep industry, and supporting the three core research programs of the Sheep CRC.
The Information Nucleus consists of a series of flocks totalling 5,000 ewes, located at eight research sites in widely differing environments around Australia. Each year, these ewes will produce progeny by 100 young and proven Merino, maternal and terminal sires.
The progeny will be extensively measured and assessed for current and new traits in meat and wool quality, parasite resistance and reproduction.
This information will be used to:
- Enhance the accuracy of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for current traits
- Contribute to the development of ASBVs for new traits
- Validate molecular markers for current and new traits
- Develop breeding values that combine phenotypic and DNA based information
The Information Nucleus will also be the focus of sheep management, wool and meat research being undertaken in the other Sheep CRC research programs.
Latest Updates
Further progress was made with the discussion papers on genetic analysis of INF data, especially by the meat team (14 discussion papers). Wool and parasite discussion papers are being finalized. Between-trait correlations and initial genetic analysis especially for some key ‘new ASBV’ traits such as IMF, colour, lean met yield and lamb survival are expected by February.
A process for progressing new ASBVs from the Information Nucleus via the Sheep Genetics technical committee has been developed.
The first phase of the whole genome association study has been completed for seven ASBV traits. More precise modelling of polygenic effects, the breed structure and genetic grouping of dams has occurred. Further work on technical aspects of launching genomic ASBVs has progressed well.
Semen of sires for the 2010 INF matings have been collected and a mate allocation list completed. The list includes 89 sires (26 Maternal, incl Border Leicester, Coopworth, Corridale, Dohnes and Samms, 29 Terminal, 34 Merino) and 4200 ewes.
Benefits to industry
Producers will be able to use the developments in new genetic technology and molecular information to advance their breeding objectives and achieve more rapid and targeted genetic gain.
The Information Nucleus will produce:
- Phenotype information from progeny that will contribute to sire ASBVs and to the overall linkage of the Sheep Genetics analyses
- Increasingly accurate ASBVs due to greater across-flock linkage
- New commercially applicable traits added directly to Sheep Genetics
- Landmark research resulting in the validation of gene markers and SNPs that will contribute to the development of molecular breeding values
- Molecular breeding values that will be incorporated into enhanced ASBVs to more accurately select sheep for a range of traits at a young age
The Information Nucleus sites are hosting regular field days to enable producers, industry professionals and students to view the progeny and to keep up-to-date with the outcomes of the Sheep CRC programs.
CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351