46 | According to Russell, only a small number of New Zealand stud breeders are currently undertaking full whole-flock genomic testing using high-density DNA technology. “They’re really pushing that extra information because it gives us a broader information bank for those ewes. When people were doing raw trait data such as liveweight gains and eye muscle measureNick Wilson Contracting Ltd. For all your baling sowing cultivation and earthmoving needs Contact Nick Wilson 027 496 2350 Whole-flock genomics shaping decisions Nithdale Genetics manager Russell White says industry thinking is evolving beyond simply breeding fast-growing, lean animals, with greater emphasis now being placed on eating quality and production efficiency. Russell Fredric RURAL PEOPLE » Nithdale Genetics Meat quality, body condition score and whole-flock genomics are shaping selection decisions at Nithdale Genetics, as the Southland stud continues refining sheep bred for commercial performance. Nithdale Genetics manager Russell White says industry thinking is evolving beyond simply breeding fast-growing, lean animals, with greater emphasis now being placed on eating quality and production efficiency. Nithdale already holds one of New Zealand’s highest-ranked rams for intramuscular fat and related meat quality traits within the stud’s Suftex terminal sire programme, “I went to the Beef and Lamb stud conference this year in Christchurch mid-May and there is a big shift in attitude towards meat quality.” “It used to be that breeders were told to breed a lean, fast-growing animal because they didn’t want a whole heap of fat on the animal. Now they’ve gone back the other way. They want that IMF, they want that nice rib fat and they want the nice loin cover.” This shift can happen without compromising other genetic gains, Russell says. “We’re still getting the high survival, the high growth and a good meat yield, but we’re adding in the meat quality. It’s an easy trait to add because I don’t think we’re losing any of the other traits.” Whole-flock genomics is another area where Nithdale has invested heavily. The station has been carrying out DNA testing across its breeding flock for many years, providing a deeper pool of information to support selection decisions. • Award winning Nithdale Genetics is among the best in New Zealand • A New Zealand leader in breeding dual purpose sheep resistant to internal parasites with high productive traits • Highly productive Suftex sheep bred for growth, meat yield, meat quality and survival • Nithdale Genetics offers both maternal and terminal sires to farmers New Zealand wide Ph. 027 418 3423 Russell White ROMNEY, ROMDALE & SUFTEX Call Sam on 027 367 3658 AVIATION FOR AGRICULTURE Proud to support Nithdale Genetics For all your agricultural aviation needs ments, you were limited in how far that information could go.” Alongside genomics, he sees body condition score as one of the most important efficiency traits emerging in sheep breeding. Rather than selecting for larger ewes that can fluctuate significantly in weight due to seasonal conditions, Russell believes future gains will come
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