Genetics
MLA has an important role in building capacity for the overall genetic improvement of beef and sheep in Australia.
Part of this has been the development of genetic improvement tools such as BREEDPLAN and LAMBPLAN, and new approaches such as the use of gene marker information.With the right genetic tools cattle and sheep producers can make decisions to select animals for various qualities that affect profitability.
The genes that sheep and cattle possess affect:
- Reproductive performance
- Survival rates of lambs and calves
- Mothering ability of cows and ewes
- Growth rates
- Feed efficiency
- Health, including ability to manage parasites
- Fatness, muscling and carcase characteristics
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