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<\/a><\/p>\nWith Smart Flock Select, all Merino producers now have access to the same underlying genomic technology used in pedigree and breeding programs.<\/p>\n
One test, multiple applications<\/p>\n
Smart Flock Select uses a single DNA test to generate genomic breeding values (GBVs) for 13 traits covering wool quality and quantity, health and welfare, growth and carcase characteristics, plus four selection indexes.<\/p>\n
The system can be applied in a range of ways, including:<\/p>\n
Selecting the best young rams if breeding your own.
\nChoosing top sires in multiplier flocks for large-scale commercial operations.
\nIdentifying superior ewe replacements.
\nTailoring selections to specific supply chains.<\/p>\n
Neogen said the \u201cmultiplier effect\u201d of using better rams \u2014 whose genetic merit is passed onto many progeny \u2014 makes Smart Flock Select particularly valuable for businesses breeding their own sires or sourcing from multipliers.<\/p>\n
Because genomic testing can capture hard-to-measure traits, such as meat yield or reproductive performance, and provide early-life predictions, selection pressure can be applied more confidently to young animals.<\/p>\n
Simple, intuitive reporting<\/p>\n
Smart Flock Select results are presented in an easy-to-understand 1\u201310 scoring system, with 1 representing the top 10 percent of animals in the flock and 10 representing the bottom 90 percent.<\/p>\n
Each animal is ranked individually, and flocks receive a Smart Flock Profile to benchmark their genetics against the Sheep Genetics MERINOSELECT population.<\/p>\n
Additional reporting options include:<\/p>\n
Smart Flock Parentage \u2013 sire and\/or dam assignment for progeny if parent profiles are on record.
\nSheep Poll Test \u2013 to determine horn\/poll status.<\/p>\n
The service is also compatible with future parent verification requirements.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Producers learning about the new Genomic only Breeding Values product from Sheep Genetics Development Officer Marnie Hodge.<\/p>\n
Accessible to more Merino producers<\/p>\n
A key point of difference for Smart Flock Select is that no Sheep Genetics membership is required, making the tool accessible to producers who are not participating in MERINOSELECT or submitting phenotypic data.<\/p>\n
\u201cProducers can get the benefits of genomic selection without changing their whole management system,\u201d Ms Dowling said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou simply take a sample, send it to the lab, and in one step you get data on wool, meat, growth and health traits that would be difficult or costly to measure on-farm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Driving flock improvement and market confidence<\/p>\n
By identifying the animals most aligned with a business\u2019s breeding objective \u2014 and removing those with low genetic merit \u2014 Smart Flock Select helps lift overall flock performance.<\/p>\n
Neogen said benefits include:<\/p>\n
Earlier selection decisions with greater accuracy in young animals.
\nHigher genetic gain through targeted ram and ewe selection.
\nGreater marketability of sheep backed by genomic data.<\/p>\n
For commercial producers, this means more uniform, productive flocks and the potential to meet specific market requirements more efficiently. For studs and multipliers, it means supplying clients with rams of proven merit.<\/p>\n
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