Targeted extension to improve genetic gain by region is now possible

Merino breeders can improve their flock's rate of genetic progress through the national genetic evaluation MERINOSELECT (Brown et al. 2007). The service reports Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for individual traits and standard selection indexes created to match different production system breeding objectives. Current MERINOSELECT indexes focus on improving production traits of either mostly wool (Fibre Production: FP+), wool and meat (Merino Production: MP+) or mostly meat (Dual Purpose: DP+). Breeding program, location and wool type all contribute to a breeders' choice of index. Extension activities aimed at improving rates of genetic gain are conducted by Sheep Genetics across all production regions (Collison et al, 2018). The current blanket approach to extension across all regions on genetic gain has had little review on impact. This study investigates differences in the rate of genetic gain and how well the standard indexes fit with breeding objectives across the Merino sheep producing regions of Australia and New Zealand.