Measuring behaviour to improve maternal ability

Project: Measuring behaviour to improve maternal ability

Location: Dubbo

Species: Sheep

Date: Apr 2013 -

Status: Ongoing

Topic: Genetics and breeding

State: New South Wales

Objectives:

The aim of this project is to select sheep for arena behaviour to improve maternal ability and improve lamb survival.

The project will involve two phases with the following objectives:

Phase One:

1. To verify the relationship between movement and vocal behaviour in an arena test and ewe lifetime rearing performance.
2. To verify the relationship between arena movement and vocalisation in rams and the lifetime reproductive performance of related females.
3. To decrease the duration of the arena test from 10 minutes to three minutes.
4. To study vocalisations in greater depth.

Phase 2:

1. To develop a system of describing behaviour verbally.
2. Increase the reliability of an Australia Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) for reproductive rate.
3. Deliver the results of the project to the sheep industry using our well-connected networks.
4. Produce a video and handbook on conduct and value of the arena test.

Progress:

Data from a round of arena testing from one flock was analysed and showed that 1 minute 15 seconds gave the same answer in terms of movement and bleats as the 10-minute test. However, a 1 minute 15 second test would only identify movement and number of bleats and not identify other information about the sheep and how it is vocalised. A test length of 5 minutes in four additional flocks will be tested.

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