Engagement | Sheep Genetics

Sheep Genetics engagement

Throughout 2024-25, the Sheep Genetics team engaged with breeders, service providers, industry partners, and researchers to support genetic improvement, data quality, and industry adoption. Key engagement activities are summarised below.

Performance Breeder Groups

Dates

17-19 February 2025 - Meat Elite & Superwhites
21 March 2025 - Maternal Performance Group
3-4 June 2025 - Merino Breeders Group

Impact and Outcomes

Sheep Genetics works closely with groups of highly engaged breeders to share updates on evaluation developments, explore opportunities to accelerate genetic gain, and improve data quality.

A key milestone in 2025 was the inaugural Maternal Performance Group, which received highly positive feedback from participants.

Performance Group members make a significant contribution to the Sheep Genetics evaluations. During 2024-25, rams bred by group members sired:

24.4% of lambs in the Meat Elite & Superwhites evaluation
57.0% of lambs in the Maternal evaluation
29.1% of lambs in the Merino evaluation

Service Provider Workshop

Dates

30 April - 1 May 2025

Impact and Outcomes

The annual Service Provider Workshop was attended by 35 participants representing 383 flocks, equating to approximately 40% of flocks in the Sheep Genetics analysis.

The workshop provided updates on Combined LAMBPLAN, key project initiatives, data quality improvements, and component reproduction. Attendees included genetics advisors, data managers, software providers, and genomic companies, fostering collaboration across the industry.

Scanner Accreditation

Dates

19-20 March 2025

Impact and Outcomes

Eight accredited scanners attended the 2025 accreditation, collectively servicing 512 flocks, representing approximately 50% of flocks in the Sheep Genetics analysis.

The program also welcomed three new trainees, with two achieving accreditation.

This year's accreditation focused on skills development and technique refinement, bringing together both experienced and prospective scanners. Accreditation forms a critical component of Sheep Genetics' data quality assurance framework, with all fat and muscle measurements required to be collected by accredited scanners. Accreditation must be renewed every two years.

Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)

Dates

24-26 June 2025

Impact and Outcomes

The 26th AAABG Conference was held in Queenstown, New Zealand. Sheep Genetics staff attended to strengthen industry partnerships, engage with leading researchers, and stay informed of the latest developments in livestock genetics research and development.

Of the 120 papers presented:

2 related to OVIS consent projects
3 were presented by Sheep Genetics staff
3 related to BREEDPLAN and OVIS software
2 used Sheep Genetics data
28 originated from MLA-funded research
38 papers (32%) were linked to MLA-funded research or MLA's ownership interests in BREEDPLAN and OVIS

While in New Zealand, Sheep Genetics staff also delivered two half-day workshops for New Zealand clients, providing updates on Sheep Genetics analyses and industry developments.

Around the grounds

Over the past 12 months, the Sheep Genetics team has maintained a strong presence across the sheep and livestock industries, supporting more than 40 industry events throughout Australia and New Zealand.

These activities included conferences, field days, breeder workshops, industry forums, university lectures, webinars, open days, and training programs. Together, they provided valuable opportunities to connect directly with breeders, commercial ram buyers, service providers, researchers, students, and industry stakeholders.

Through these events, the team shared the latest developments in Sheep Genetics, delivered practical education on genetic improvement tools, and promoted the value of objective genetic evaluation in driving productivity and profitability across the sheep industry.

Month	Event
July 2024	Australian Sheep and Wool Show (Bendigo, VIC) Southeast Stud Merino Field Day (Keith, SA) StrateFly™ and AmpliFly™ Extension Workshops KIDPLAN webinar (Online)
August 2024	Sheepvention (Hamilton, VIC) Marcus Oldham student lecture (Geelong, VIC) Lambex (Adelaide, SA) Dubbo National Merino Show & Sale (Dubbo, NSW)
September 2024	MateSel Information and Practical Sessions (Online) Swan Hill BWBL Carcase Competition (Swan Hill, VIC) Charles Sturt University student tutorial (Online) AG n VET Field Day (Dubbo, NSW)
October 2024	MateSel Training (Online) Darkan RBC Open Day (Darkan, WA) MLA Updates (Perth, WA)
November 2024	Ongoing breeder support, client meetings, and industry engagement activities.
December 2024	Ongoing breeder support, client meetings, and industry engagement activities.
January 2025	Planning and preparation for the 2025 event and extension program
February 2025	Meat Elite & Superwhites Conference (Bendigo, VIC) Australian White Suffolk Association Conference (Handorf, SA) Ultrawhite Sheep Breeders Association of Australia (Online) MateSel Workshop (Online) University of New England WOOL lecture (Armidale, NSW) Texel Group (Online)
March 2025	Corriedale AGM (Online) Scanner Accreditation (Werneth, VIC) Maternal Performance Group (Melbourne, VIC) Dohne AGM (Adelaide, SA) Local Land Services Lamb Survival Workshop (Albury, NSW) Naracoorte Meatup (Naracoorte, SA)
April 2025	Service Provider Workshop (Melbourne, VIC) University of New England WOOL tutorial (Armidale, NSW) Southdown Society (Online)
May 2025	Ballan BWBL (Ballan, VIC) English Leicester Association (Online)
June 2025	Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (Queenstown, NZ) Breeder Workshop (Cheviot, NZ) Breeder Workshop (Cromwell, NZ) $uperborder$ (Horsham, VIC) BWBL (Moulamein, VIC) BWBL (Wakool, VIC)

Client contact

The Sheep Genetics Development Officers have continued to provide extensive support to clients throughout the year, engaging with breeders through workshops, field days, conferences, phone calls, online meetings, and email correspondence.

These interactions help breeders better understand and utilise Sheep Genetics information, improve data quality, and make more informed breeding decisions. The table below shows the number of flocks engaged by Sheep Genetics Development Officers each month during 2024-25.

Number of flocks engaged by Sheep Genetics Development Officers each month

In addition to regular client support, Development Officers conducted one-on-one consultations with 21 flocks during the year. These discussions focused on data quality, breeding program design, phenotyping protocols, and strategies to maximise genetic gain.

The team also worked directly with commercial ram buyers through a series of online meetings, helping clients interpret their Flock Profile reports and apply the results to ram purchasing and culling decisions aligned with their breeding objectives.

The next generation

Building knowledge and confidence in genetic selection among emerging industry participants remains an important focus for Sheep Genetics. Throughout 2024-25, the Sheep Genetics Development Officers delivered lectures, tutorials, and educational presentations to students, helping develop the next generation of livestock professionals.

Introducing genetic selection concepts early equips students with an understanding of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), their role in breeding decisions, and the benefits genetic improvement can deliver to flock productivity and profitability.

During the year, the Sheep Genetics team delivered guest lectures and tutorials to students at:

University of New England
Charles Sturt University
Marcus Oldham

The team also engaged with secondary school students through youth and industry education programs, including RYAG events in Walcha and the Ross McKenzie Workshop at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.

By supporting students at both school and university levels, Sheep Genetics is helping build future industry capability and improve awareness of the value of genetic evaluation across the sheep industry.

MateSel

MateSel is a decision-support tool that helps sheep breeders make faster genetic progress while managing inbreeding and maintaining genetic diversity within their flocks. Because effective use of the tool requires a strong understanding of breeding objectives, genetic relationships, and mating strategies, Sheep Genetics Development Officers deliver MateSel training and accreditation programs throughout the year.

During 2024-25, 21 Sheep Genetics clients successfully completed MateSel training and accreditation. Participant feedback demonstrated a substantial increase in understanding, with knowledge of MateSel improving by 140% following training.

MateSel continues to be widely adopted across the Sheep Genetics network, with 275 breeders and service providers currently holding access to the tool across 1,034 flocks.

The table below shows the number of MateSel runs completed each month during the year. Use of the tool continues to grow, with the total number of MateSel runs increasing by 106% in 2024-25 compared with 2023-24, highlighting the increasing adoption of objective, data-driven mating decisions within the industry.

Total number of MateSel runs per month from August 2024 to June 2025

Ewe-niquely Genetics, a podcast by Sheep Genetics

Since its launch in May 2024, Ewe-niquely Genetics has continued to grow its audience, providing sheep producers and industry participants with accessible discussions on genetics, breeding, and industry innovation.

Over the past 12 months, the podcast recorded 1,487 plays, reaching listeners in more than 20 countries. With nine episodes now available, Ewe-niquely Genetics is helping make livestock genetics information more accessible to a broad audience.

The podcast has achieved a 44.4% listener conversion rate, resulting in more than 308 hours of listening time from 333 Spotify users, demonstrating strong engagement with the content.

Episodes released during 2024-25

Episode 5: The Reach of Genetics Research

This episode explores the research and development that underpins Sheep Genetics and BREEDPLAN. Special guest Sarah Day, MLA Project Manager - Genetics, discusses the journey from research concept to industry implementation and the role R&D plays in advancing genetic improvement.

Episode 6: Genetics for All

Focusing on adoption and extension, this episode highlights the importance of ensuring genetic innovations are translated into practical outcomes for industry. Special guest Clara Bradford, MLA Project Manager - Genetics, shares insights from successful extension programs and discusses how genetics can be made more accessible to producers.

Episode 7: ASBV Breakdown

In this practical episode, Kate Rummery, Sheep Genetics Development Officer, explains the key components of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), including indexes, the information used to calculate ASBVs, and how producers can use them to make informed breeding decisions.

Episode 8: Following the Genomics Pipeline

Bec Onslow, Genomics Processes Officer at AGBU, takes listeners through the genomics pipeline, explaining how DNA samples move from collection through to the Sheep Genetics database. The episode also covers common challenges and practical tips for avoiding delays.

Episode 9: Mastering MateSel

In this episode, Chloe Bunter shares practical advice for getting the most from MateSel, including tips, tricks, and best-practice approaches for developing effective mating plans and achieving genetic gain while managing inbreeding.

Impact at a Glance

1,487 podcast plays
20+ countries reached
308+ listening hours
333 Spotify listeners
44.4% listener conversion rate
9 episodes available

Through Ewe-niquely Genetics, Sheep Genetics continues to extend its reach beyond traditional engagement channels, providing producers, service providers, and industry stakeholders with convenient access to genetics knowledge and industry expertise.