Selection by Stud and Commercial Breeders Dohne Workshop Australia July 2016 Cameron McMaster Breeders can influence the economic performance, the genetic merit and the rate of improvement of their flocks by: Selecting superior rams in terms of the objectives they have set Selecting replacement ewes on the basis of their performance The greatest scope for additional financial and genetic improvement is by selecting superior rams because of their greater genetic influences

Visual Classing The visual appraisal of young animals and the culling of animals with faults is critical for selection Animals should be judged on the following criteria: Type (wrinkle development) Conformation Wool and skin characteristics to be selected:

Wrinkles are negatively correlated to Reproduction, Growth rate and Easy Care features X Visual Classing Type (wrinkle development). NO YES

Visual Classing Conformation XX XX Select for the ideal conformation Cull all faulty sheep

Wool and skin characteristics Cull sheep with faults:Select sheep with: Pigment, black and brown fibresLoose pliable skin Hair Free growing wool Harsh wool qualityGood staple length Poor colourSoft, pearly white wool Dry tip and dust penetration Good crimp and definition Dense, short and yolkyFluid yoke, staple and tip. Visual Classing

Visual Classing - Pigmentation Pigmentation on the face and legs may indicate the presence of floating black fibres in the fleece

Visual Classing - Pigmentation Black Spots in the fleece Black hooves

Selection Ewe Power Females are the basic business of the Livestock Breeder (Lasater) A Ewe’s main purpose is to produce lambs – As many as possible This should be the main yardstick by which ewes should be evaluated

The early marketability of Dohne lambs is the key to increased turnovers and higher gross margins Early marketability of lambs means that more ewes can be kept to produce more lambs to be marketed More lambs mean increased turnovers and profits A snowball effect to higher profitability Ewe Power.

A commercial breeder’s flock structure should be: Ewes in full production comprise 60% to 70% of the total flock. Ewes that do not lamb and have dead lambs, should be culled. Ewe age groups should be limited to 4. Ewes should be disposed of after their 4th lambing Selection for Production - EWES

Fast growing lambs (all wether lambs and draft ewe lambs) should be marketed as early as possible – ideally between 4 and 6 months of age, and not later than the commencement of the next breeding season.

Selection for Production - EWES The selection of young ewes is done in 3 stages: At weaning and prior to mating (cull ewes with faults) Prior to mating (select for production) Bodyweight breeding value (EBV) Fibre diameter breeding value (EBV) Fleece weight breeding value (EBV) During the life of the animal (select for reproduction).

Consider only ewes that pass visual appraisal with desired characteristics, in order of importance: Body weight – because of the strong correlation between mating weight and conception Fibre diameter and wool quality – attention should be paid to wool with soft handle, quality and crimp definition. Fleece weight - cull ewes with very little or excessive wool Selection for Production - EWES

Selection for Reproduction – Ewes High reproduction is the basis for profitability and flock improvement and will increase the rate of progress of important breeding characteristics. The selection strategy for a ewe flock: Mate young (45kg BW) Cull ewes that do not conceive. Give preference to twins Select for body weight and against wrinkles and woolly faces Cull ewes - with stillborn lambs - which must be assisted at lambing - which do not bond with lambs

Selection of Rams For fitness and hardiness: Select rams that are genetically superior, with superior type - long, deep bodies, high on the leg and without wrinkles. Give preference to rams with good body weights and ensure that fleece weights are not too high in relation to body weights.

Selection of Rams For reproduction and growth rate: Rams must be genitally sound with good testes size A libido and mating dexterity test completes selection Look for rams with above average weaning weights Choose rams with the best dam records, including: Conception at first mating Regular conception after first mating Fecundity Lamb survival to weaning 100-day lamb growth rates

Selection of Rams For Fibre diameter and wool quality Visual wool quality – soft, white wool with well-defined crimp and totally free of hair. Avoid rams that have substantially increased their fibre diameter between tests Avoid rams with a wide variation in fibre diameter - (CV% over 20%) Avoid rams with more than 5% of fibres over 30 microns (Comfort Factor - CF)

Selection of Rams For Fibre diameter and wool quality

Selection of Flock Rams Choice of supplier is important. Breeders should: Breed within the same environment as you Rear rams as naturally as possible To ensure breeding records are accurate: The ram breeding flock should be large enough Rams should be reared and tested in homogenous groups To enhance reproduction: The breeder should supply comprehensive breeding records of the dams of all rams on sale.

Selection With the information at your disposal it is possible to select ewes and rams that will improve your flock Cameron McMaster

Wait. Wait, Listen to me. We are not just sheep – we are DOHNE MERINOS!