Genetic Evaluation: Productivity, Efficiency and Profitability (GEPEP)

Currently the extrapolation of per head productivity to per hectare in sheep is attempted using several approaches that are all based on the measurement of liveweight and the increase in energy requirement of heavier animals based on body weight alone. However, there are more factors than just bodyweight that determine the number of animals carried per hectare. Responding to this, the current project aims to improve the estimation of profitability per hectare from existing per head genetic benchmarking results. This will be achieved by creating better predictions of differences in stocking rate and using estimates of feed intake and body whole energy reserves to replace the current blunt use of metabolic body weight (DSE rating).