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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(9)

Genetic parameters for bodyweight, wool, and disease resistance and reproduction traits in Merino sheep. 2. Genetic relationships between bodyweight traits and other traits

A. E. Huisman A B and D. J. Brown A B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit1, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B Current Address: Hypor, 5830 AA Boxmeer, The Netherlands.

C Corresponding author. Email: dbrown2@une.edu.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(9) 1186-1193 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08120
Submitted: 10 April 2008  Accepted: 2 May 2008   Published: 7 August 2008

Abstract

The Australian Merino is the predominant genetic resource for both the prime lamb and sheep meat industries of Australia. There are very few studies that provide good information on the relationships between wool and non-wool traits. The objective of this paper was to describe genetic relationships within bodyweight traits and between bodyweight and other traits recorded in Merino sheep. The genetic correlation between bodyweight, fleece weight and fibre diameter was positive (0.1 to 0.2). While fibre diameter coefficient of variation, staple length, staple strength, mean fibre curvature, and faecal egg count were not correlated with bodyweight. Scrotal circumference (0.4), number of lambs born (0.1), and number of lambs weaned (0.1) were positively correlated with bodyweight. Results indicate that selection for an increase in bodyweight will have a positive effect on eye muscle depth, fleece weight, and reproduction traits, while selection for an increase in bodyweight will have a negative effect on fibre diameter and fibre diameter coefficient of variation.


Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), UNE and NSW Department of Primary Industries. The authors would like to thank the Merino breeders and accredited Lambplan scanners who collected the pedigree and performance data used in this study. The work of Stephen Field, the MGS database manager, and that of Bronwyn Clarke, who managed the Merino Validation Project, is acknowledged.


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1 AGBU is a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England.




Appendix 1.  Number of animals with both traits recorded and number of sires that have offspring with both traits recorded (in parentheses)
A1