Genetic parameters for yearling wool production, wool quality and bodyweight traits in fine wool Merino sheep

Author(s)
Swan, Andrew
Purvis, Ian W
Piper, L R
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
Genetic parameters were estimated for traits measured in the first year of production in a multi-bloodline flock of fine wool Merino sheep. Between 5025 and 9271 animals were measured, depending on the trait, and these animals were the progeny of up to 430 sires. Heritability estimates for fleece weight traits ranged from 0.37 to 0.49, while estimates for five wool quality traits ranged from 0.34 for staple strength to 0.66 for mean fibre diameter. For bodyweight, the heritability estimated at weaning was 0.20, and at the yearling age was 0.51. Maternal genetic effects were significant for fleece weight and bodyweight traits and were highly correlated between these trait groups, indicating that these effects are determined by similar groups of genes in both trait groups. While most genetic correlation estimates were either favourable or neutral, there were economically antagonistic correlations between fleece weight and mean fibre diameter, ranging from 0.15 to 0.30, and between mean fibre diameter and staple strength (0.26). Overall, the heritabilities and genetic correlations estimated in this fine wool population were similar to estimates from other strains, indicating that outcomes from selection programs will be similar across strains and that fine wool sheep can be included in across flock genetic evaluations with other strains.
Citation
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 48(9), p. 1168-1176
ISSN
1446-5574
0816-1089
1836-5787
1836-0939
Link
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Title
Genetic parameters for yearling wool production, wool quality and bodyweight traits in fine wool Merino sheep
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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