More sheep producers are using genetic technology when matchmaking rams and ewes, choosing animals with specific traits to breed more climate-resilient and profitable flocks.
Alison Henderson, a producer in South Australia’s mid north, said she was using genetic information to make strategic business decisions in the current dry conditions.
Ms Henderson, who runs Hendowie Poll Merino and Baderloo Poll Merino studs at Caltowie, said the technology enabled producers to breed more effectively.
Alison Henderson says genetic technology can help the sheep industry adapt to climatic conditions. (Supplied)
“It’s no longer sheep just running around in the back paddock hoping for the best,”
she said.
“You can use genetics, science and precision technology to keep the sheep industry as a viable enterprise in your farming system, but also a very productive one.”
Ms Henderson believed sophisticated genetics technology was the key to adapting her industry to ever-changing climatic conditions by “droughtproofing sheep”.
Some farmers say genetic technology takes the guesswork out of breeding programs. (Supplied: Alison Henderson)
Playing matchmaker
Ms Henderson uses complementary mating to choose which ram goes with which ewes, matching sheep with certain breeding values or “traits” that she wants to strengthen in her flock.
“You have a ram and a ewe that are … good in the same sort of traits, and you put them together,” she said.
“That’s really exciting to see what the progeny comes out as because often you are producing sheep that are excellent across a range of traits.”
Alison Henderson visually assesses her sheep and combines this with genomic and other data. (ABC Rural: Kate Higgins)
To make breeding selections, Ms Henderson begins by visually assessing her sheep, looking at their shape and structure, wool quality, and for “nice cover over the rump”.
She then factors in genomic data sourced from DNA samples and layers additional information collected over time, such as weight and growth rates.
“I think the best way forward is to combine visual traits with data you can collect,”
she said.
But what traits do you choose to select?
Sheep Genetics operations manager Peta Bradley. (Supplied: Peta Bradley)
The operations manager of Meat and Livestock Australia’s Sheep Genetics service, Peta Bradley, said it was “really, really important” to ensure a clear breeding objective.
“There are so many traits out there. Making sure you align those traits with what you’re interested in is absolutely pivotal,” she said.
Ms Henderson is particularly focused on eating quality, wool, and growth traits, but said other producers looked for different attributes.
“But for me I focus on the key profit-driving traits,” she said.
Industry uptake
Now celebrating 20 years, Sheep Genetics hosts the central database for the Australian merino industry.
Over the past decade, genetics has become increasingly important to merino producers, Ms Bradley said.
“We get nearly 200,000 new animals added to our database every year — compare that to, say, 100,000 a bit over 12 years ago,” she said.
Alison Henderson is seeking to increase the drought resilience of her flock. (Supplied: Alison Henderson)
Demand for genetic information is growing, according to surveys by Meat and Livestock Australia.
A 2016 survey conducted by the organisation found 30 per cent of sheep producers considered genetics when selecting their rams.
In 2024, that number had risen to an estimated 56 per cent.
Also assisting producers with better sheep productivity is neXtgen Agri chief executive Mark Ferguson, who also has seen a significant increase in the use of genetics.
“Over the last five years we’ve seen a bit of a momentum shift,”
he said.
“So essentially, we are improving productivity, as well as decreasing cost, and decreasing some of the time required to manage animals by making them more resilient to some of the challenges.
Can you droughtproof a sheep?
“You can’t make them bomb proof,” Mr Ferguson said, but you can select traits focused on good fat and muscle.
This meant the sheep needed less energy and could maintain its weight.
“[This] obviously means less supplementary feeding in a drought, or under the same conditions, [the sheep] will lose less weight than another standing next to it,” Mr Ferguson said.
The sheep at Alison Henderson’s property are being hand-fed during the dry conditions. (ABC North & West SA: Arj Ganesan)
This is good news for Alison Henderson who is currently handfeeding all her sheep.
Genetics also plays a key role in managing dry conditions by informing decision-making around which sheep to keep and which to destock.
“I guess I’m a fairly optimistic person so I look for a silver lining in bad situations,”
she said.
“It [was] a good opportunity to consolidate the genetic pool that we want to take forward.”
Ms Henderson foresees the sheep industry being reshaped for the better by new technologies in the same way cropping has been adapting to shifting climate conditions.
“When you look at cropping … technology and precision agriculture … [it has] really taken the cropping industry forward,” she said.
“The same thing is starting to happen with the sheep industry.”
