Economic analysis of Merino ewe performance from diverse industry sires using GrassGroTM

Abstract

<p>Differences in profitability between genetically different sire groups at the Macquarie site of the Merino Lifetime Productivity Project (MLP) were compared using GrassGro™ to simulate animal performance based on the interactions between animal production and pasture growth determined by historical climate data. Mean gross margin (GM) differences of $13/Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) and $42/head (hd) were found between sire groups for wool and meat median prices. In median to high markets wool income had a higher influence on GM/DSE than meat income, with fibre diameter being the trait of most influence. In low markets meat income had a greater influence on GM/DSE with weaning rate the most influential single trait. Utilising a combination of traits, through either of three different selection indexes, showed the strongest correlations with GM/DSE.</p>