To expand the range of traits currently recorded in the benchmarking activities of Merino Central Test Sire Evaluation (STSE) and Merino Bloodline Evaluation

Summary

​The period between July 2007 and April 2008 has been another active period for AMSEA, putting into action a number of major initiatives that were agreed upon during the previous year.

The major activity undertaken was the publishing and distribution of over 3000 copies of Merino Superior Sires 13. The publication is the direct result of several thousand new records being added to the Merino Superior Sires database that now includes progeny records on over 1,100 sires.

A significant change to the publication of Merino Superior Sires has been agreed upon, with future editions to be published in October of each year. This will commence with Merino Superior Sires 14 that will be published in October 2008.
Discussion continues in relation to the merits of publishing ASBVs in Merino Superior Sires. ASBVs were included in Merino Superior Sires for the second year in 2008. The Executive Committee will meet to consider the inclusion of ASBVs in future editions in June 2008.

Longreach and Trangie have joined sire evaluation in 2008, giving a total of 10 active sites. Also new in 2008 is the commencement of a Young Sire Program and the adoption of the Visual Sheep Scores booklet as AMSEA visual trait standards. It is hoped by working closely with the Sheep Genetics Technical Committee that Visual Trait Breeding Values will be vailable in future editions of Merino Superior Sires.