Improving data quality in the evaluations

Improving data quality in the evaluations

High quality data is significantly correlated with higher rates of genetic gain, due to increased accuracy of ASBVs and therefore a higher selection accuracy. Sheep Genetics members have access to a Data Quality Score (DQS) Report which highlights important aspects of data quality including: 

  • Depth and type of pedigree 
  • Capturing of fixed effects like date of birth, and birth- and rear-type 
  • Number of genotypes 
  • Effectiveness of progeny data 
  • Linkage with other flocks  
  • Proportion of trait measurements taken for key traits including growth, carcase, wool, worm egg counts, and reproduction 
  • Timeliness of data submission 

The DQS report provides a rating out of 100 and a star rating (out of 5), as well as providing up to three areas to improve and strengths in data quality for each flock. The DQS Report is heavily used by the Sheep Genetics Development Officers when talking to flocks about how to improve their data quality and rates of genetic gain.  

Over the past 12 months, the Sheep Genetics Development Officers have been busy identifying key areas of data quality to contact relevant flocks about and work with breeders to improve their data quality using the metrics captured in the DQS report and other key aspects of data quality. Focused efforts have been made to improve the following data quality metrics: 

  • Genomic pedigree inconsistencies 
  • No scanner ID submitted with fat and muscle scans 
  • Low effective progeny numbers 
  • Low unique dates of birth  
  • Breeders not using the submission portal  

The push to improve data quality in the genetic evaluations has seen a significant improvement in the above data quality metrics. This effort from the Development Officers will continue into the future to ensure that the highest quality data is being used to calculate ASBVs, which in turn will have a positive influence on selection accuracies and rates of genetic gain. The Sheep Genetics Development Officers also presented the importance of a range of data quality metrics to Service Providers and key Performance Group members across the last 12 months, providing individual flock summaries and ways to improve to the quality of data provided for analysis.  

Flocks recieving an award for 5-star data quality
December 2024 142 flocks
June 2025 120 flocks
June 2025 18 NEW flocks