Summary
QTL research, by definition, is concerned with naturally occurring variation in genes that affects traits of economic importance. MLA and AWI invested in this field as part of their genomics program. The genomics program also carried out research into the function of genes. This functional research is outside the scope of this report, but it is important that the two approaches (use of naturally occurring variants and gene function) be tightly integrated. The traits that MLA and AWI have decided are top priority are resistance to internal parasites, muscle growth and wool growth. For meat sheep we believe fertility traits, including lamb survival, should be added to the list.
