Abstract

A new software package has been developed to assist ram breeders to target rams to buyers` flocks. "Ram Focus" leads the potential buyer through a short series of questions relating to the buyer’s current levels of animal performance, aims and future expectations. The answers to these questions are used to calculate economic values for individual traits, which are subsequently combined into an index customised for the buyer. The end result is that Ram Focus reranks the suitability of rams for alternative commercial flocks. Examples are presented of how the suitability of rams changes between commercial flocks, first using examples of differing reproductive performance, and second, differences in expectations of a drench failure.

NB, Jopson, and PR Amer

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 63, Queenstown, 190-193, 2003