Flock Profile
Flock Profile provides commercial Merino producers with a genetic benchmark of how their flock compares to industry.
The Flock Profile test provides you with a flock average breeding values comparable to the Sheep Genetics database. You can use Flock Profile results to track genetic progress and help inform ram purchasing decisions.
Flock Profiling involves genotyping 20 animals, selected randomly, from the current drop of lambs. To Flock Profile, contact one of the genotyping providers found at: sheepgenetics.org.au/resources/genomics/
The results provide flock average breeding values for a suite of Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) traits. In the report, your flock breeding values are compared to the average breeding values of MERINOSELECT flocks, with percentiles. Use these percentile bands to determine where your flock sits compared to flocks in MERINOSELECT. A score on the 10th percentile indicates your flock is in the top 10% of flocks for that trait.
Using these results
A breeding objective describes the future direction for your flock. Setting a breeding objective involves identifying traits that are important to your flock. These will include consideration of your profit drivers, as well as management and environment considerations.
These Flock Profile results can be used to inform your ram purchasing decisions. You now have a genetic benchmark which is directly comparable to MERINOSELECT ASBVs.
Three selection indexes are also reported (MP, DP and FP), which combine a range of traits into a single ranking value. These indexes are each based on a different production system, with more information on each available at: sheepgenetics.org.au/Getting-started/ASBVs-and-Indexes.
Use these ASBV and Index values to buy rams that will take you forward for the traits in your breeding objective.
The Sheep Genetics search site is a valuable resource where you can search for appropriate rams. The site has the capability to search:
• Individual animals, if there are certain animals of interest
• By criteria, where you can enter specific values as minimum or maximum ASBVs to find rams that match your breeding objective.
The Sheep Genetics site can be accessed at: https://search.sheepgenetics.org.au/search/dashboard
You can further track your progress by ram team monitoring. This involves keeping a record of sires you use each year, and averaging their ASBVs, to track how your sire team is performing. The only information you need to do this, is the ID of the animal.