GENETICS PRIME LAMBS S A prime lamb Genetics breeding plan Victorian prime lambproducers Philip and Maz Gough have H aving a clear pictureand eating quality traits such as transformed their of a breeding intramuscular fat and shear force.business using genetic selection objective should be “These traits give producers the tools and harnessing the benefits every prime lamb ability to make more informed of hybrid vigour. producer’s priority before decisions when investing in investing in new genetics. improving genetics.” The business has evolved from running five different enterprises in the According to MLA Sheep GeneticsPeta said while genetic merit 1990s to, today, focusing on producing Senior Development Officer Petashould be the first criteria on prime lambs for the supermarket trade Bradley, a breeding objectivewhich rams are selected, physical and using their knowledge of genetics will help producers identify traits,appearance and structural and best practice farm management expressed as Australian Sheepsoundness are also important to achieve their goals. Breeding Values (ASBVs), to elements for breeding success. improve profitability and/or reduce “Our interest in lamb started in 1995 “Rams need to be structurally when we began selling lambs finished costs of production. sound and suit your environment,” on summer crops,” Philip said. “Before you turn up to a ram sale,she said. ■ it’s really important to know your “We became more interested when breeding objective and which Peta Bradley we realised the potential to fast‑track traits will drive profit (e.g. weaningSheep Genetics our productivity improvement through weight and eye muscle depth) E: info@sheepgenetics.org.au genetic selection.” and which traits are costs in your Philip set about breeding a ewe that production system (e.g. worm eggThe 2018 Pocket Guide to count),” she said. ASBVs: sheepgenetics.org. could wean 150% of lambs annually to au/Resources/Brochures‑ suit the supermarket trade (fat score 3, “Other important ASBVs that prime and‑fact‑sheets 18–24kg carcase weight) at 130 days lamb producers may wish to select genetics.mla.com.au/ of age. on or monitor when purchasing prime‑lambs To do this, some production goals were a sire may include birth weight set that would improve their viability: • maintaining hybrid vigour 10