DOHNE GENETIC PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Dohne ram breeders and commercial producers can obtain a major improvement in the breeding process of their flock by using Dohne genetic performance for measured selection traits and the Dohne index that summarises the genetic performance of an animal into a single value.

The breeding progress could be as much as a 50 percent greater if genetic performance records are used efficiently.  Larger gains are possible when breeders use the benefit that comes from all registered Dohne ram breeding flocks being linked together thus allowing more accurate selections from the best genetics available.

DOHNE GENETIC PERFORMANCE RECORDS - BREEDING VALUES (EBV)

Estimated breeding values (EBV) describes the expected performance of the progeny of an animal - not just the performance of the animal itself.  An EBV describes the breeding value of an animal - and as a breeder isn't this what you want to know?

Dohne ram breeders produce EBV's for all the major performance traits, including the traits required to be recorded - body weight, fleece weight, fibre diameter and CV of fibre diameter, fat depth and  muscle size- as well as traits that are optional to record – such as staple strength.

Dohne EBV performance is based on the measured evaluation made by the ram breeder. This measurement is then value added by accounting for factors that breeders recognise can reduce the ability of measured information to describe an animal's breeding value. Factors accounted for include the trait heritability, if the animal was a twin or single, date of birth of the animal, the animal’s pedigree (relatives) performance and differences in the environment between groups.

Pedigree performance records allow EBV’s to be combined across years and flocks. Animals from large and small registered Dohne ram breeding flocks can in this way directly compare.

Dohne EBV describes the expected performance of an animal’s progeny for a trait relative to the performance of all registered Australian Dohne ram breeding flocks.

THE DOHNE INDEX

The Dohne Index summarises into one number the performance of an animal for all the measured traits, thus simplifying and improving the accuracy of selections.  The balance in which traits are combined matches the Dohne breeding objective to improve body weight and carcass traits, reduce fibre diameter, and maintain fleece weights and staple strength.

TRAITS, INDEX AND GRADES REPORTED

All progeny in a mating group must be recorded for body weight, greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter, CV of fibre diameter, and rated for visually assess traits, other traits are optional. Each trait is reported as a deviation to the average of all the registered flocks.

BW: Body Weight (percentage)
MD: Eye Muscle Depth (mm)
FAT: Fat Depth (mm)
FW: Greasy Fleece Weight
FD: Average Fibre Diameter (micron)
CV: Coefficient of Variation of Fibre Diameter (percentage)

Birth details: Sire and Dam, dam age, birth and rearing type and the birthdates are reported and part of the EBV's.

Index: Measured traits combined value. Index of 100 is average and larger numbers are higher.

Final Grade: Final Grade is a combined EBV performance and inspectors grade. There are for final grade levels, AA, A, B and C with AA being the highest and C the lowest performance.

For further information contact
Advanced Breeding Services
Forest Road. Orange. NSW. 2800
Ph 02 6391 3812
Fax 02 6391 3922
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