Sheep Industry News August 2024

felt the need to use international genetics. What positive advance ments do you feel they have made in your Rambouillet flock and have there been any negatives? JOHN: In the early 2000s, I was curious about what other breeds in the world had for genetic potential to help us achieve our production goals. This led me to Australia, New Zealand and

South Africa breeds to test their performance on our operation. By then I'd already been involved in the National Sheep Improve ment Program and had found EBVs useful in determining the superior animals. Through artificial insemination we brought in 11 different sires from Australia and New Zealand. The breeds used were Merino, Dohne and South African Meat Merino. These breeds were similar to the Rambouillet as they were all

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