Demonstration of a new method for WEC ASBVs

This project investigated the use of a more sensitive worm egg count (WEC) method (using the Mini-FLOTAC technique) for Australian wool producers when testing rams and ewes for the purposes of generating Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs). Problems with conventional WEC test methods (McMaster) arise because of their low sensitivity (typically 50 eggs per gram (epg)), causing unnecessary animal welfare risks and/or reducing the ability for growers to test for WEC. Use of the Mini-FLOTAC method is expected to result in improved animal welfare and increase the accuracy of ASBVs for WEC through enhanced sensitivity and the use of greater records. Further work to investigate the algorithm for generating WEC ASBVs using the new method is required.