While many sheep producers working towards improving ewe reproductive rates find success in nutrition and management interventions, genetics has a big role to play.
Sheep producers have the opportunity to learn how to utilise genetic selection in their sheep flock to increase efficiency of genetic gain during a webinar tomorrow hosted by North West Local Land Services, in collaboration with Central West Local Land Services.
The webinar, How can genetics influence the productivity of the sheep industry?on April 15 from 1pm to 2pm (AEDT), will feature guest speaker Dr Mark Ferguson, CEO of NeXtgen Agri in New Zealand.
Dr Ferguson brings a wealth of knowledge in sheep genetics having contributed to various research papers on genetic evaluation in the sheep industry, while being the key scientist in the Lifetime Wool and Lifetime Ewe Management projects.
North West Local Land Services Land Services Officer, Kate McCarthy, said the webinar will focus on genetic selection and the importance of incorporating the four pillars of animal improvement into selection decisions.
“This webinar will explore the power of genes and clarify how they can fit into a variety of sheep enterprises,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The webinar will be a great opportunity for growers to capitalise on Dr Ferguson’s knowledge and use it within their own enterprise.”
While many sheep producers working towards improving ewe reproductive rates find success in nutrition and management interventions, genetics has a big role to play.
“With the development of new reproductive ASBV’s to help producers make more informed decisions, there’s renewed opportunity to demonstrate how genetics can positively impact ewe productive performance, alongside nutrition and management tools,” Ms McCarthy said.
“While genetics are a slower intervention tool towards improved production, once established, they are an effective long-term investment.”
Register your attendance to the webinar here.
To find out more about the research Dr Ferguson is doing on the genetics of reproduction and lamb survival, visit NeXtgen Agri’s website.