Optimal development of Australian sheep genetic resources

The Australian sheep industry is currently facing changing market conditions in which the main driver of profitability is shifting from wool to meat production. Breeding objectives should respond to such market developments. Because current breeding objectives and indexes were developed separately for terminal sire breeds, maternal breeds and Merinos, price changes are accommodated by changing the weighting of traits. This article considers the development of breed types in relation to each other, taking into account the joint use of these breeds in a crossbreeding system. This article also addresses key issues about development of specialized vs. dual-purpose breeds and how the Merino breed should be developed optimally to maximize future profitability across the Australian sheep industry. A relatively simple model suggested that for a wide range of price ratios between wool and meat, a crossbreeding system with specialized breeds is more profitable than a system based on one dual-purpose breed. Optimal development involves increased growth for meat breeds but increased wool production and no increase in body size for wool breeds that also serve as dams of prime lambs. Reproductive rates of both wool and meat breeds should be increased.