Abstract

Sheep Improvement Ltd (SIL) has been developed to manage the national genetic database for the New Zealand sheep industry. Since its launch in 1999, SIL has gained acceptance as the provider of the industry standard sheep genetic analysis. As part of the greater industry, SIL has a key role to play in fostering the uptake of performance recording to maximise the rate of genetic improvement in the commercial flock, through improved ram breeding and selection decisions. Long-term benefits of genetic improvement are dependent on delivering scientifically advanced analysis to all members of an informed industry. This requires consistency of information, supplied at varying levels of complexity, but always in a simple, accurate and relevant form. SIL provides information in a flexible and easy to understand format, backed up by a strong focus on industry education. Continuous development focuses on delivering new outputs related to improved profitability, more accurate analysis, including major-gene effects as they become available, and greater flexibility at a computational level. Equally importantly, SIL will develop outputs to provide greater flexibility, relevance, ease of use and understanding by all users of genetic information.

GJ, Cruickshank

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 63, Queenstown, 209-211, 2003