Sheep Genetics works closely with MLA's Livestock Genetics Research and Development program, research organisations, universities and industry partners to deliver research that improves the accuracy, value and impact of genetic technologies available to sheep producers. Through this collaborative approach, Sheep Genetics supports the development and validation of new traits, genomic tools and evaluation methodologies, while providing the data, infrastructure and industry connections needed to translate research outcomes into practical services. Projects undertaken during 2025–26 included advancements in genomic benchmarking, immune competence, sustainability traits, shedding sheep genetics, genomic breeding values and the ongoing development of Combined LAMBPLAN, ensuring Australian producers continue to benefit from world-leading genetic evaluation technologies.
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Research area |
Further information |
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Flock Profile updates |
Adding Eating Quality traits to Flock Profile and developing an accuracy metric for Flock Profile, giving producers a better indication of the accuracy of traits reported from genomic tools. |
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Producer Demonstration Site - Prime Lamb Sire Evaluation |
Demonstrating genetic differences between industry prime lamb sires, and collecting phenotypic information on progeny including carcase traits to contribute to the genomic reference population. |
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Australian Merino Production Trial - NSW |
Demonstrating the genetic difference between commercial teams of wethers for wool, body and carcase traits, showing the value of genetics selection and the impact it has on on-farm productivity. |
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Merino Immune Competence MBVs |
Developing Immune Competence Breeding Values for genotyped Merino animals, providing breeders with a greater ability to identify animals that mount better immune responses. |
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LAMBPLAN Genomics |
Investigating the development of multibreed Flock Profile and Genomic Breeding Values using the LambEx Showcase animals. |
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Sustainability |
Ongoing collection of Methane and Feed Intake phenotypes on animals to build the genomic reference population. Delivery of Research Breeding Values for project participants to date. |
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Shedding sheep |
Investigating the genetic variation in shedding characteristics to support the development of a Shedding Breeding Value and improve selection options for shedding sheep enterprises. |
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Combined LAMBPLAN |
Delivering the world's first unified multi-breed sheep genetic evaluation, improving connectedness between breeds and increasing the accuracy and comparability of breeding values across the industry. |
The Resource Flock is a key investment supporting the ongoing improvement of Sheep Genetics evaluations. By creating strong genetic links across flocks, breeds and environments, the project generates high-quality phenotype and genotype data that improves the accuracy of genetic evaluations and genomic predictions.
Data from the Resource Flock contributes to stronger genetic connectedness, expansion of the genomic reference population, development of breeding values for difficult-to-measure traits, and the ongoing enhancement of genomic tools such as Flock Profile and ASgVs.During 2025–26, Resource Flock joinings continued through a collaborative MLA Donor Company (MDC) investment model, with support from industry and research partners.
The 2025 and 2026 joinings each included 115 sires representing a diverse range of Terminal, Maternal, Merino and shedding sheep breeds, ensuring ongoing benefits for the Australian sheep industry.