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This paper describes characteristics of the new analysis for reproductive traits of ewes, as applied to data from maternal breeds. Components of reproduction are treated as different traits for yearling and adult ewes. The new procedures produce breeding values for conception, litter size, rearing ability of ewes, maternal behaviour and condition scores from a multi-breed, multi-trait analysis, using industry and information nucleus phenotypes, genotypes and single-step methodology. Breeding values will be released as research (interim) breeding values by Sheep Genetics while further refinements are made. Future implementation is targeted for Merinos. |
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