More Information
Similar articles
A new generation meat program in Australia within the Co-operative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation
Pethick DW, Jacob RH, McDonagh MB, O'Halloran WJ, Ball AJ, Hopkins DL
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, pp 96-100, Jun 2009
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, pp 96-100, Jun 2009
Article class: Conference Presentation
Subject Terms: Animal production/wastage, Breed/breeding, Harvesting/processing, Meat, Quality/assurance, Research/development
Animal Type: Sheep
Publisher: New Zealand Society of Animal ProductionAbstract
The Information Nucleus flock (INF) is the central focus of the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Sheep Industry Innovation. It is made up of eight sheep flocks across Australia that are genetically linked by the use of common sires. The objective of the INF is to measure a range of biological and production parameters and to produce heritability estimates and genetic correlations for a range of new traits. Approximately 100 sires are mated annually by artificial insemination to 5,000 ewes across the sites. Sires from various breeds are joined to Merino and crossbred ewes. Each year 2,000 progeny are evaluated for a wide range of meat production and consumer-relevant traits. Some of these traits are new and novel, such as the content of iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Their measurement is designed to ensure lamb maintains its marketing edge as a healthy, nutritious meat so that it is the consumer's preferred choice of meat. This paper will provide an overview of the program and highlight specific areas that are novel with respect to sheep meat.The whole of the literary matter of the Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production is copyright New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Downloading this article signifies agreement with the terms and conditions of electronic access.
