The Power of NSIP to Increase Your Profits. August 17, 2015 Rusty Burgett, Program Director

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1 The Power of NSIP to Increase Your Profits August 17, 2015 Rusty Burgett, Program Director

2 NSIP to Increase Profits National Sheep Improvement Program A profit driven genetic selection tool Our Mission: To provide predictable, economically important genetic evaluation information to the American sheep industry by converting performance records into relevant decision-making tools. 2

3 NSIP to Increase Profits Why do we need a profit driven genetic selection tool for U.S. sheep? 3

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10 Importance of Genetic Selection U.S. Sheep Industry Roadmap Productivity Improvement Wider adoption of Quantitative Genetic Selection Genetics are the foundation to build upon 10

11 Importance of Genetic Selection Phenotype = Genetics + Environment 11

12 Estimated Breeding Values EBVs are tools that: Minimize guesswork of ram selection Assign number values to genetic merit Allows for quick, easy comparison More powerful than actual performance data, adjusted means... Focused on economically important traits 12

13 Value of a Ram Profit is determined by pounds of lamb(wool) sold per ewe. Number of lambs born Number of lambs weaned Birth, weaning and post weaning weight of lambs Wool yield and quality 13

14 Value of a Ram 14

15 Value of a Ram 15

16 How do we Get EBVs? Similar to EPDs Step 1.) Measure Phenotypic traits of animal Body weights Carcass measurements Reproduction Wool Traits 16

17 Adjust for Variation Step 2.) Account for environmental differences (Birth type, feed ) Phenotype = Genetics + Environment 17

18 Adjust for Variation Contemporary group rearing Raise similar lambs in a similar environment Multi-flock comparison 18

19 Analyze pedigrees Step 3.) Compare animal to all of its relatives 19

20 Analyze Pedigrees An individual s performance is compared to every known relative Including relatives in other flocks Adjust for genetic relationship (shared genes) and heritability of each trait 20

21 How do we Get EBVs? Isolate the genetic differences between animals Account for know sources of variation Compare to all related animals Assign numeric value to genetic merit 21

22 The Power of NSIP Because environmental differences are eliminated and pedigrees are analyzed, EBVs are more powerful than: Raw data Adjusted weights Ram tests 22

23 The End Result 23

24 The Good News? You don t have to worry about doing any genetic calculations! NSIP takes care of all the work Enrolled flocks just submit measures and EBVs are returned 24

25 What Traits are available? Weight: Birth Weaning Post Weaning Yearling/hogget Carcass: Eye muscle Fat depth Fleece: GFW Curvature CV Fiber Diameter Reproduction: NLB NLW Fecal Egg Count 25

26 What Traits are available? Production Index- Combines multiple traits into 1 figure USA Range USA Maternal Carcass Plus USA Hair 26

27 Importance of Ram Selection Rams represent half of the genetics of the next lamb crop Market lambs Replacement ewes Does NSIP really improve genetics? 27

28 Weaning and Maternal Weaning Weight EBVs (lb) USA Range EBVs ($) Number of Lambs Born EBV (%) Fleece Weight and Fiber Diameter EBVs Genetic Progress Targhee Reproduction Targhee Wool Targhee Growth Western Range Index

29 Weaning and Maternal Weaning Weight EBVs Number of Lambs Born and Weaned EBVs Genetic Progress 14 extra lambs/100 ewes lambing! 15.0 Polypay Reproduction Year NLB (%) NLW (%) Polypay Growth Year WW (lb) MWW (lb) 1.75 pounds 60 days=201 more lbs of lamb! 29

30 Weaning and Postweaning Weight EBVs Eye Muscle and Fat Depth EBVs Genetic Progress Suffolk Growth Suffolk Carcass WW (lb) EMD (in) 3.00 PWW (lb) Fat (in) Year Year 30

31 How to Get Started Using EBVs from NSIP in your ram selection Demand EBVs from your suppliers If you are a seedstock producer, join NSIP! 31

32 Not a Silver Bullet Visual appraisal of ram for: Sound feet and legs, free of foot rot Correct mouth structure Breeding soundness exam Health status and susceptibility Scrapie OPP Spider 32

33 Not a Silver Bullet Does not replace good management Breeding Program Including cross breeding! Nutrition Marketing 33

34 Conclusion NSIP is designed to: Reduce risks associated with ram selection Expedite genetic progress Increase productivity and profitability Visit for more information including percentile and elite sire reports 34

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36 Thank you! Questions? Paid for in part by the American Sheep Industry 36

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39 Step 1. Analyze Production Quantify current production level: Number of lambs born/ewe Number of lambs weaned/ewe Average weaning weight of lambs Average post weaning growth (ADG) NLB 1.2 NLW 0.8 WWT 62 Loin eye area and back fat thickness 39

40 Step 2. Set Goals Establish a goal for improvement of each trait Prioritize importance of each goal for profit Trait Current Goal Priority NLB NLW WWT

41 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Start with Production Indexes Combine multiple traits into one value Maternal-USA Maternal Terminal-Carcass Plus Range-USA Range Hair-USA Hair Select from top 40% of the index 41

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44 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Select for individual traits Based on priority of goals Priority 1.-select ram in top 10% of breed for that trait Priority 2.-select ram in top 20% of breed Priority 3.-select ram in top 25% of breed 44

45 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Trait Current Goal Priority Percentile NLB Top 20% NLW Top 10% WWT Top 25% 45

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48 Top 10% have 24.3 or higher 48

49 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Trait Current Goal Priority Percentile NLB Top 20% NLW Top 10% WWT Top 25% 49

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52 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Trait Current Goal Priority Percentile NLB Top 20% NLW Top 10% WWT Top 25% 52

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55 Step 3. Use EBVs in Selection Prioritizing selection pressure on individual traits will expedite genetic progress Priority should be placed on economically important traits 55

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