Merino farmers to boost their breed

Buoyed by promising wool and mutton markets, the Merino fraternity is determined to entrench its breed as the top money-spinner in the country.
Issue Date 8 June 2007

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Merino SA has launched an intensive campaign to promote the breed society’s so-called Merino Plan, which is aimed at the generic improvement of the sheep’s production characteristics by means of scientifically based breeding plans. The Merino Plan is based on data supplied by BLUP; the national Merino progeny testing programme; Merino veld ram clubs; and the national Merino show for measured production.

Over the coming months Merino advisers will be briefed on all aspects of the scheme, which has been developed in close cooperation with the Agricultural Research Council. The fundamental idea behind the Merino Plan is to put in place a uniform system of record-keeping and data storage that would give breeders and flock farmers the critical information needed to rear competitive animals under normal farming conditions. According to a manual published by Merino SA’s technical committee, good planning in Merino farming, as in any modern business, relies heavily on accurate information.

For the industry to progress, studs need data on breeding values so that they can supply what their clients want. At the same time ordinary wool farmers have to understand and be able to interpret that information so that they can select the right rams for their conditions, especially in terms of economically important characteristics. The pressure to become more productive and effective is increasing every year, they say. However, the technical team is worried about resistance to BLUP as it is still seen as a threat by some breeders and even advisers. However, with most stud farmers already keeping performance records, it is relatively easy to incorporate BLUP technology – all you need is the Shepherd computer programme and a few simple steps.

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The advantages of BLUP to the Merino breeder include a standardised record system and central saving of data for comparison between studs; the incorporation of production and reproduction data to simultaneously improve both characteristics; and the reliable transfer of the desired economic characteristics to the progeny. Requirements for participation in the national BLUP analysis include being a full member of Merino SA and that the stud must be genetically linked to another stud by at least two rams – both with 25 or more tested progeny in the other (linked) stud.

But the technical experts point out that in the same way that few people know how a cellphone works but use it nevertheless, so you shouldn’t worry too much about how BLUP works. The important thing is that it works – as has been proved by scientists and producers all over the world. – Roelof Bezuidenhout E-mail ­[email protected] or phone (049) 892 4148.