Animal Science, Department of
Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications
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Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2001
Citation
Simm, Lewis, Collins & Nieuwhof in Journal of Animal Science (2001) 79 (E Supplement).
Abstract
Objective genetic improvement in specialized meat breeds of sheep in Britain is based largely on the performance recording and genetic evaluation service provided by Signet and the Meat and Livestock Commission. This includes the use of ultrasonic scanning and a selection index to identify animals with high genetic merit for lean growth. More than 20 sire referencing schemes (SRS) have been established in Britain during the last 12 yr. About half of the performance- recorded flocks in Britain now belong to SRS. Sire referencing schemes create genetic links between flocks and years through the shared use of elite rams (reference sires), often via AI. Multitrait animal model BLUP is then used to provide across-flock genetic evaluations. These in turn allow increased selection intensities and increased response to selection. High responses to index selection for lean growth (about 1.75% per annum in the specialized meat breeds) and other measures of performance are being achieved.
Comments
Copyright 2001, American Society of Animal Science. Used by permission.