ON FARM SHEEP Breeding for reproduction When breeding groups that have the same us to select for each of the SNAPSHOT: for reproductive opportunity to feed, thus individual components Lynton Arney, traits, accurately eliminating the impact ofenvironmental conditionsof reproduction.Strathalbyn, SA S recording all performance “In particular, it’ll allow us to data – good and bad – and ensuring any differences balance litter size, which is is paramount, says ram in performance are genetic. where most of the industry breeder Lynton Arney. Avoiding bias wants to be. This will help Lynton (pictured) and his Lynton selects sheep using improve lamb survival, which two procedures: one in the is both a huge cost and a wife Claire run Inverbrackie office, without looking at the welfare issue.” Border Leicester Stud at sheep, and one in the yards, Strathalbyn, SA. Genetics education without looking at the data. Lynton believes the Area: Speaking at the recent “We always have a stick of industry’s biggest future 1,500ha Leading Breeder conference, gains could come from Lynton told delegates why raddle in our hands,” he said. Enterprise: accurate data recording more focus on educating “If we see something in the commercial producers Border Leicester stud was so important to his yards that doesn’t look right,about the value of genetic business, and outlined his we mark it out. If we then Livestock: selection process. evaluation and how to 950 ewes look at the data for that use the LAMBPLAN and “Whenyou’re talking about animal and it’s amazing, it MERINOSELECT databases. Pasture: reproductionwhich is lowly doesn’t matter. We stick to Annual pastures , “There’s been a lot of industry heritable, the further we the decision to mark it out.” deviate from an accurate investment in genetics, and Soil: New opportunities seedstock producers who Duplex (sand over record, the less heritable Lynton said he was looking have taken the research on dispersive clay) these traits become,” forward to using new board now have animals Lynton said. LAMBPLAN Research on the ground to help the Rainfall: “It’s important to enter all Breeding Values (RBVs), industry go forward,” he said. 390mm the stuff that happens. That which were released for means recording the ewe maternal breeds in May. “But there’s still a huge Lynton and Claire Arney that weaned 45kg twins, and number of animals being E: info@inverbrackie.com “The new RBVs for sold – sometimes for also the ewe that weaned a conception, litter size and extremely high prices – with 35kg single lamb. ewe‑rearing ability used average or below‑average “If you don’t submit this to be combined under the performance data, based on data [to the LAMBPLAN Australian Sheep Breeding commercial producers not evaluation] you’re seriously Value (ASBV) of number understanding how to use limiting the results you’ll of lambs weaned (NLW),” the information.” have to work with.” Lynton said. Turn to the middle of the Lynton said he maintains “Breaking NLW down into magazine to see Feedback’s the integrity of management its components will allow Genetics special feature. ■ Seedstock producer Lynton Arney, from Inverbrackie Border Leicester Stud, was one of the presenters at this year’s Leading Breeder conference. 19