MOET breeding schemes for wool sheep 2. Selection for adult fleece traits

Abstract

Benefits of collection of annual versus a single fleece record are investigated for breeding programmes of Australian Merino sheep. Breeding scheme alternatives are based on natural mating (N) or multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). The breeding objective is assumed to be an adult fleece trait which is expressed annually from a minimum of age 2 years, with a unity genetic correlation between annual records. Initial selection of parents can occur prior to the availability of their adult records, based on records collected at 6,12 or 18 months which have a maximum genetic correlation of 0·8 with the adult trait. Monte Carlo simulation is used to compare breeding programme alternative..