Sheep Industry News March 2022

Genetic Selection PavesWay for Sheep Industry's Future

CAT URBIGKIT The Shepherd I

t became apparent in recent years that sheep producers must make decisions based on numbers and sound analysis, rather than on tradition or intuition. Taking on that task is Sheep Genetics USA, according to SGUSA board member and sheep producer Tom Boyer. Boyer and fellow board member Rusty Burgett of the National Sheep Improvement Program told attendees of the ASI Genetic Stakeholders Committee that the purpose of the program is to as sist sheep producers in adopting genetic information, technology and research in their production systems. The adoption of quantitative genetic selection provides infinite opportunities for improving the productivity of American sheep operations, Boyer said. From initial genetics research in Katahdin sheep that revealed that parasite resistance can be heritable, genomics research now examines thousands of DNA markers that can be responsible for genetic variation among animals, according to University of Idaho molecular geneticist Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D., who ex plained genotyping techniques and platforms to the group. She said producers can learn about single-gene traits – such as horn status and disease susceptibility (or resistance) – as well as more detailed information on traits as varied as feed efficiency, birthing ease and carcass weights that are controlled by multiple genes. Using genetics and genomics will move the industry forward, Boyer pointed out. “The sheep industry in 2032 will look substantially different than it does today,” he said. Membership in Sheep Genetics USA is free, and interested producers can enroll via the website at SheepGeneticsUSA.org. Ben Pejsar of Neogen Genomics said one only has to look at other markets – such as the beef industry – to understand the role genomics have played in advancing those industries. An advan tage of genomics is that producers can make selection decisions much earlier in the life of an animal, without having to wait until an animal has produced offspring. “Genomics is a great tool,” Pejsar said. “It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a great tool.” Sheep producers attending the afternoon session of the Ge netics Forum at the ASI Annual Convention were able to hear progress reports from a panel involved in varied genotyping platforms. Karissa Isaacs oversees the Flock 54 program for Superior

Farms and said producers new to genetics testing shouldn’t feel pressured to try to do their entire flocks all at once. She suggested they select animals that represent their preferences – such as their best ewe lambs – and test those first. “Let’s see what we find out from those,” she said. But producers need to have good identification on their ani mals to be able to utilize the results. She suggested that produc ers seriously consider their goals, and what they are willing to change, before testing any animals. Brad Boner of Wyoming compared traditional ways of se lecting rams to a beauty contest, noting that using genetic data changes the selection process. If one animal consumes three pounds of feed for every pound of gain, and is compared to an other that consumes 12 pounds to add one pound of weight, the economic impact of selecting feed-efficient animals is significant, he said. Katahdin breeder Lynn Fahrmeier pointed to error rates in hand-written data – such as writing down the wrong eartag number – that can result in inaccurate pedigrees, while genetic data provides accurate pedigrees that can result in more accurate estimated breeding values to be used in management decision making. Fahrmeier said genetic data will make the biggest impact on traits that are measured later in life of the animal, such as longev ity or maternal traits. “Genomics is the method to increase the selection pressure faster and harder,” he said. Kansas State University’s Tamra Kott updated the group on creation of a fine wool index. After including economic value ASI Vice President Brad Boner, Superior Farms' Karissa Isaacs, Ben Pejsar of Neogen Genomics and Missouri sheep producer Lynn Fahrmeier participated in a genotyping panel discussion at the Genetics Forum.

See GENETICS FORUM on Page 26

March 2022 • Sheep Industry News • 21