Sheep genetics: Wiping out worms (episode 9)

Sheep producers have used the power of good genes to fight worms, introducing Worm Egg Count (WEC) in LAMBPLAN's estimated breeding values to reduce drenching costs, stock losses, and chemical use.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Sheep genetics
• Meat & Livestock Australia
• MLA
• meat
• livestock
• red meat
• sheep
• lamb
• Meat and Livestock
• worm
• Worm Egg Count
• egg
• genetics
• LAMBPLAN
• breed
• drench
• chemical
• EBV
• Arthur Gates
• feedbackTV
• mlafeedbackTV

[MLAfeedbackTV]

I think the information you’re referring to comes from papers by Andrew Greer in NZ where they have looked at the impact of single trait selection in Coopworth lines in NZ. In the Sheep genetics dataset we have found no evidence of the penalties indicated by Andrew Greer. The difference is that we have multi-trait selection. However MLA, through the Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has a PhD student, Paul Blackburn, who is looking at the aforementioned relationships in more detail.

[SmallholderSeries]

Excellent video, thank you. We've been selecting for worm resistance (as a multi-trait programme, including lambing ease and footrot resistance) with our Hampshire Downs with surprising success over a period of just 5 years. It strikes me that these traits (together with eating quality) are infinitely more valuable to producers than forever chasing increased muscle depth EBVs!

[IMightJustBeWrong]

Great stuff. I remember reading about a NZ study where they had been selecting for worm resistance for a number of years and there was a correlation between good worm resistance and poorer wool/growth due to the increased use of proteins for mediating immunity. I wonder if they've found a way around this?