Sustainable Montana Merino Development Through Genomics

Commodities

• Animals: sheep
• Animal Products: fiber, fur, leather, meat

Practices

• Animal Production: genetics, livestock breeding

This proposal will lead to the development of more accurate selection of efficiency and health traits that are currently not available to US producers through the importation of Sustainable Merino genetics. Australia and its sheep and wool industry have invested an estimated $250 million AUD developing their merino genomics to address all aspects of sustainability such as methane production, parasite resistance, foot rot, elimination of mulesing, improving ewe productivity and enhancing carcass traits like meat shear force and intramuscular fat. Other countries like New Zealand and Argentina have improved their sheep genomics program by importing genetics directly from Australia and creating genetic linkages with their production systems. The U.S.A. imports approximately 75% of the lamb consumed in the US and while our domestic sheep numbers remain in long term decline, producers need access to modern selection methods quickly to address the economic advantage Australian producers have developed to produce more sustainable sheep. This research project will import sustainable merino semen to be used on several industry leading Rambouillet and Targhee producers who employ the high level of data collection necessary for the success of this project. Offspring will be compared to current US genetics for preliminary evaluation. Future research will focus on developing the ability to access the genomics data that Australian producers currently utilize. Results of the research will be distributed through industry talks and articles in industry publications. The long term goal is to have Australian-linked genomics tested breeding stock available for other producers by 2030.

Objective 1: Identify and import Australian Sustainable Merino Semen

Objective 2: Inseminate ewes across Montana to create genetic linkages with Australian genetics

Objective 3: Evaluate offspring performance and compare to domestic breeds

Objective 4: Educate sheep producers on sustainability and genetic improvement