Abstract

DNA technologies are already widely used in the New Zealand sheep industry. Parentage determination in extensively managed flocks is currently the most widely used test. Increasingly, these tests are being supplemented by the use of performance markers, either by themselves or in conjunction with parentage. Commercial single marker tests currently available in New Zealand include: two for meat yield, two for prolificacy, parasite resistance and production, lamb survival, footrot, scrapie susceptibility, and several monogenic trait tests including: microphthalmia, horns, and spider lamb. However, the future is likely to be some form of 'genomic selection' where the test explains a major, perhaps majority, of the genetic variation in an animal. This technology depends on the creation and use of high density SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) probe chips. In New Zealand dairy cattle it is expected to increase the rate of genetic gain by 50 to 70%. A similar chip has been created for sheep and New Zealand animals are currently being genotyped. If successful the expectation is that industry release will occur in late 2009. New Zealand sheep industry delivery will be as breeding values created using a blend of DNA and existing Sheep Improvement Ltd. information.

JC, McEwan

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, Christchurch, 165-168, 2009