Merino Lifetime Productivity Project. Hosted by Moses & Son

Launched in 2016, the Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) Project is a collaborative initiative aiming to answer some of the most pressing questions in the Merino industry. Moses & Son is proud to be one of the three current properties involved in this vital project, which is managed by MerinoLink. Our farm, located just outside of Temora, plays a key role in helping gather data that will shape the future of Merino breeding and production.

The Goals of the Project

The MLP Project is designed to evaluate lifetime productivity in Merino sheep. It focuses on understanding the trade-offs between lamb and wool production, determining the best selection criteria for lifetime productivity, and assessing the role of genetics in long-term returns.

The broader aims of the project are:

• Enhancing selection systems: Provide evidence to improve systems that predict lifetime productivity.
• Commercial demonstrations: Show the cost-benefit relationship of measuring adult traits throughout an animal's life.
• Validating breeding value technology: Test current breeding technologies across diverse sheep types and environments.
• Reproduction data: Supply reproduction records to MERINOSELECT, supporting more accurate assessments of lifetime productivity.
• Collaboration with breeders: Provide a common focus for breeders with differing philosophies.

How the MLP Project Works

The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)-funded Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project is a $13 million, 10-year partnership between AWI, the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA), nominating stud Merino breeders, and site hosts. This extensive project is evaluating 120 sires across four sites in Australia, including Moses & Son's farm in Temora. Each sire is joined with 90 ewes to produce 3,600 F1 ewe progeny, and the performance of these ewes is tracked throughout their lifetime.

The project runs at five key sites:

• Balmoral, VIC: Host: Tuloona Pastoral, Committee: Balmoral Breeders Association
• Pingelly, WA: Host: Murdoch University / UWA, Committee: Federation of Performance Sheep Breeders (WA Branch)
• MerinoLink, Temora, NSW: Host: Moses & Son, Committee: MerinoLink Limited
• Macquarie, Trangie, NSW: Host: NSW DPI, Committee: Macquarie Sire Evaluation Association
• New England, NSW: Host: CSIRO, Committee: New England Merino Sire Evaluation Association

The evaluation trials focus on collecting comprehensive data on key traits like fleece weight, micron, reproduction, and carcass quality. Each site operates under AMSEA's rigorous protocols, and the ewes are monitored through 4-5 joinings and annual shearings. Visual trait scoring, classer gradings, and objective assessments are conducted, providing valuable insights into the impact of selecting for growth, reproduction, and carcass traits on lifetime productivity.

The project's extensive dataset will enhance Merino breeding and selection strategies for both ram sellers and buyers, ultimately delivering greater lifetime productivity and increased returns for woolgrowers.

The Significance for the Merino Industry

The MLP Project provides the Australian Merino industry with an unprecedented amount of data. It will help us understand why some sheep consistently perform well over their lifetime while others decline. The insights gained from this project will guide future breeding programs and help commercial growers make more informed decisions about their flocks.

The project is expected to deliver answers to questions such as:

• How do genetic traits influence lifetime productivity?
• Can animals selected at a young age be relied upon for superior lifetime performance?
• What role do environmental factors play in long-term performance?

First Trial Update

The first lambing at our site began in May 2016. Due to heavy rainfall, some early tasks like tagging were delayed to ensure lamb survival. However, we managed to tag, score, and DNA sample the lambs by the end of June. All the data collected, including early trait scores, has been submitted to AMSEA for further analysis.

The Future of Merino Breeding

The last of the Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project data was collected in July 2024, rounding out nearly 10 years of data collection which has seen the creation of 2,000,070 data points. The project will now focus on the core project analysis, generating outcomes to help enhance breeding and selection systems to select rams and ewes at young ages that are more productive through life.

The project itself will run for over a decade, providing the industry with long-term data to improve breeding practices. By answering key questions about Merino productivity, the project will enable breeders and growers to make more informed decisions, ultimately leading to better performance and profitability in the Australian Merino industry.

The information gathered will also allow buyers to select sires with greater confidence, knowing they are investing in animals with proven lifetime productivity. This data will be invaluable in helping breeders identify animals that perform well in diverse environments and under varying production conditions.