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Maternal nutrition a key influence on maximising genetic potential
A team of researchers, as part of the Lifetime Wool Project, is working to develop models to help graziers determine the optimal feeding conditions to maximise the genetic potential of their flocks.
A key outcome of the Lifetime Wool Project is that better feeding of ewes during pregnancy increases the production and quality of wool produced by their progeny during their entire lifetime.
These effects on the offspring are permanent, larger than anticipated and evident for a range of genotypes and environments. Farm profit can vary by more than $10 per ewe, depending on how the ewes are managed, highlighting the importance of achieving optimum ewe liveweight targets at different stages of the reproductive cycle.
While genetics plays a key role in determining the potential lifetime wool production and wool quality of an individual sheep, the environment, both pre- and post-weaning, also plays a significant role.
In particular, the nutritional intake of the ewe during pregnancy and lactation must be sufficient to satisfy her own needs for maintenance and wool growth as well as supply adequate nutrients to her foetus and lamb for growth and development until weaning. |
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Lambs born to better-fed ewes grow more clean wool that is finer than lambs born to underfed ewes. Breeding alone and careful selection of superior genetics will not lead to the expression of the full genetic potential of an animal for wool production and quality throughout its lifetime.
The nutrients available to the foetus during pregnancy and lactation can have a significant impact on the development of the follicle population. Investigations of the development of skin follicles in merino sheep have identified the period from 30 days prior to birth to 35 days after birth as the period during which that nutritional level is critical to the optimal development of the follicle population.
Poor ewe nutrition through pregnancy will reduce secondary follicle density in the developing lamb while poor nutrition during lactation will impact on the ability of secondary follicles to produce a wool fibre, thus decreasing its lifetime wool production and quality potential.
This provides an opportunity through improved management of the breeding ewe flock, to maximise the wool production and wool quality potential of future generations of merino sheep.
Individual animals inherit their complement of genes from their parents – 50% from each. Selection of rams and ewes that have been identified as superior for the traits of interest is the starting point to determine the genetic potential of the next generation. Minimising adverse environmental conditions is essential to allow progeny of breeding ewes to maximise the expression of this genetic potential.
The Lifetime Wool Project will develop guidelines to enable commercial wool producers to strategically manage the nutrition of their breeding ewes in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. This is expected to benefit not only the lifetime wool production and quality of the progeny but also their survival, growth and parasite resistance. Additional benefits are also likely to be seen with respect to the wool production and quality, reproductive efficiency and disease resistance of the breeding ewes.
Lifetime Wool Project
The Lifetime Wool Project is a national project that is delivering profitable ewe management guidelines to woolgrowers across Australia. The Lifetime Wool Project consists of two plot-scale research sites and 15 paddock-scale research and demonstration sites across southern Australia (350–700 mm rainfall). All sites are located on commercial wool producing properties. The Lifetime Wool Project is funded by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. The project commenced in 2001 and finishes in 2008. Lifetime Wool is managed by the Victorian DPI in Hamilton with input from government agricultural agencies across Australia and the CSIRO.
Accreditation
NSW Lifetime Wool Team
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Dr Sue Hatcher
Phil Graham
Michael Lollback
Bob Marchant
Clare Edwards
Peter Johnson
Kevin Thornberry
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– Team Leader and Site Leader, Oak Hills, Orange
– Site Leader, Carwoola, Yass
– Site Leader, Kialami, Tamworth
– Site Leader, Kialami, Armidale
– Agronomist, Armidale
– Project Extension, Orange
– Technical Support, Orange
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http://www.lifetimewool.com.au/
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