Can we breed Merino sheep with softer, whiter, more photostable wool?
S. Hatcher A B D , P. I. Hynd A C , K. J. Thornberry A B and S. Gabb A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2800, Australia.
B Industry and Investment NSW, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
C School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: sue.hatcher@industry.nsw.gov.au
Animal Production Science 50(12) 1089-1097 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10095
Submitted: 16 June 2010 Accepted: 14 September 2010 Published: 23 November 2010
Abstract
Genetic parameters (heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations) were estimated for a range of visual and measured wool traits recorded from the 2008 shearing of the initial cohort of Merino progeny born into the Sheep CRC’s Information Nucleus Flock. The aim of this initial analysis was to determine the feasibility of selectively breeding Merino sheep for softer, whiter, more photostable wool and to quantify the likely impact on other wool production and quality traits. The estimates of heritability were high for handle and clean colour (0.86 and 0.70, respectively) and moderate for photostability (0.18), with some evidence of maternal effects for both handle and photostability. The phenotypic correlations between handle and clean colour and between handle and photostability were close to zero, indicating that achieving the ‘triple’ objective of softer, whiter, more photostable wool in the current generation through phenotypic selection alone would be difficult. There was evidence of an antagonistic relationship between handle and photostability (–0.36), such that genetic selection for softer wool will produce less photostable wool that will yellow on exposure to UV irradiation. However genetic selection for whiter wool is complementary to photostability and will result in whiter wool that is less likely to yellow. Genetic selection to improve handle, colour and photostability can be achieved with few detrimental effects on other visual and measured wool traits, particularly if they are included in an appropriate selection index.
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