Updates to the Sheep Genetics subscription and fee schedule

Sheep Genetics has reviewed and updated its subscription and fee schedule. This is the first time since 2019 that these have been updated.

These changes are necessary to:

• Allow more streamlined and efficient internal processes around billing and data submission

• Reflect the current economic environment and the costs associated with running Sheep Genetics

As of the 20th July 2024, there will be 5 key changes to the Sheep Genetics subscription and fee schedule. They can be summarised as follows:

• 2024 drop CO (commercial) and CU (cull) animals will be billed at the standard animal charge

• Removal of the small stud subscription option

• Removal of the capped number of billable animals per flock

• Changes to the yearly subscription fee and animal database charges

• Addition of a Resource Flock support charge per flock

Commercial and Cull animals will be billed

Cull and commercial animals were originally introduced to encourage submission on all animals within a cohort. Until now animals that contain CU and CO in the 11th and 12th digit of the 16-digit ID were not billed, and they did not receive reportable breeding values.

In recent years IDs containing CO and CU have been used in different ways across flocks, which has caused:

• Issues with data management and data quality as a result of changing IDs

• Impact on internal Sheep Genetics data management costs

• Impact on genotypes and the need to change the IDs genotypes

Following the submission of billable animals from the 2024 drop onwards CO and CU IDs will still be accepted but they will incur the standard animal database charge if they have measurements above the billable threshold for each analysis.

An animal achieves billable status when it has a weaning weight or later entered into the database (LAMBPLAN) or Post-weaning trait information (MERINOSELECT). This means that once an animal is entered into the database and charged for, additional data can continue to be entered on that animal throughout its life at no additional cost

Sheep Genetics encourages flocks to submit data on all possible animals at an early age to make better selection decisions and improve data quality. We encourage that new animals are not submitted with CU or CO in the ID.

Removal of the small stud subscription option

A small stud subscription option was originally created for smaller studs submitting less than approximately 50 progeny per drop to submit data in a cost-effective manner. During a review of the Sheep Genetics business plan, fee schedule and membership options, it was identified that the annual subscription model is the most effective for future growth. As a result, Sheep Genetics is ceasing the small stud option. Flocks impacted by this update have been contacted and Sheep Genetics staff will work with them to change subscriptions over. Small studs will be charged at the standard flock and animal rate outlined below.

Removal of the capped number of billable animals per flock

Breeders submitting more than 2,500 animals per flock will now be charged for all billable animals supplied to Sheep Genetics. This cap will be removed and all animals with billable measurements submitted will incur the animal database charge outlined below.

Changes to the yearly subscription fee and animal database charges

Sheep Genetics regularly reviews its fees and subscription charges. The current fee schedule has not changed for the past 5 years and increases to the fee schedule are required to continue the services and running of the Sheep Genetics evaluations.

As of the 20th July 2024, invoices issued will reflect the fee schedule as follows:

Addition of a Resource Flock support charge

The Resource Flock is an important source of information and research & development behind the Sheep Genetics evaluation. The data from the MLA Resource Flock has seen improvement in linkage, the size of the genomic reference, the development of ASBVs for hard to measure traits and improved accuracy from genomic predictions. The benefits of the Resource Flock are seen across the Sheep Genetics evaluation and impacts each flock in the evaluation that records and submits phenotypes and/or genotypes.

From 2012 to 2023 the MLA Resource Flock has been levy funded. The next 2 rounds of joining's will utilise funds from new sources including Universities, breeders and MLA’s Donor Company. This project will continue to be managed by the University of New England (UNE). Sheep Genetics will be implementing an additional fee that will contribute directly to the costs associated with running the Resource Flock for the next 2 joining's. This additional fee will ensure that Resource Flock data will continue to underpin the Sheep Genetics evaluations for the next 2 years’ worth of joining’s. This charge is linked directly to the 2024 and 2025 Resource Flock joining. Beyond these joining’s the charge will be reviewed. This charge will be applied at the renewal of your Sheep Genetics subscription from the 20th July 2024 onwards.

Breeders are encouraged to nominate rams as sires into the Resource Flock when nominations open in October 2024.

For information on international fees and charges please click here

If you have any questions about the updates being made and summarised above, please contact:

Rudolph Linde -  Business Manager - Genetic Services

• rlinde@mla.com.au
• 0418 967 005

Peta Bradley - Manager Sheep Genetics

• pbradley@mla.com.au
• 0419 158 449