LAMBPLAN

Changes to Lambplan ASBV's  - click here to download it

This document is a great reference to answer many often asked questions. Please click here to download it.

If you cannot find the answer that you require please email etiwanda@bigpond.com and we can address you enquiry.
 

You buy a ram not for what he looks like but how his progeny will perform.

LAMBPLAN provides practical information for terminal, maternal and dual purpose sheep producers on the genetic potential of their animals. Sheep are ranked according to various production characteristics using Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs). ASBVs are available for growth, carcase, reproduction and internal parasite (worm) resistance. ASBVs are directly comparable across flocks within a breed and across breed in the terminal sire group of breeds.

Only LAMBPLAN provides a benchmarking system that allows breeders to track the level of improvement in the genetic make-up of their flock. LAMBPLAN provides flexibility enabling rams breeders to concentrate on the traits considered important to their breeding objective and the requirements of their clients. Commercial buyers can also use LAMBPLAN ASBVs to objectively compare rams and identify those which best suit their production system and market targets.

LAMBPLAN enables sheep breeders to reduce the risk associated with ram selection, improve the rate of genetic gain of their flocks, more reliably meet market specifications and improve overall productivity

How do ASBVs help in the selection of rams?

• They take into account the performance of the ram’s relatives as well as the animal’s own performance.
• It uses an industry standard language that means the same wherever you are. 
• They allow you to compare rams on the basis of how they will breed (breeding value) rather than how well they have been fed (environmental influence). 
• They can be used to accurately estimate progeny performance for specific traits and to predict the outcome of breeding programs. 
• They identify genetic differences for "hard to see" traits such as maternal ability & reproductive preformance of daughters. 
• They report differences in units of commercial value, eg. carcase yield, numbers of lambs weaned.
  

              Information courtesy of the Sheep Genetics website -  http://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/InformationItem.aspx?ITEM=10

Important things to remember when selecting animals with ASBV's

• Balanced Selection is critical.  Check structure and rearing environment
• Don't chase excessive growth and risk unwanted side effects such as sheep becoming too big for the environment. 
  
• No breeder in the Australian White Dorper Industry has more experience with or understands ASBV's better than Andrew Mosely - please see the information about Andrew's experience on the About Etiwanda Tab on our website. Andrew is also a member of the Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee for Lambplan Australia.

Performance Recording with Lambplan.             

Performance recording is an objective means of benchmarking the genetic capabilities of our own animals against animals from other studs, free of known environmental biases such as rearing type and feed regime.

Traits that we measure and record include the following; Sire and Dam, Date of Birth, Birth Type and rearing type (ie single twin etc), weaning weight, post weaning weight, yearling weight, post weaning eye muscle depth, post weaning fat depth & scrotal circumference.

The performance information collected from the above is analysed by the LAMBPLAN computer to produce Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV's). The ASBVs are used in conjunction with visual appraisal to select future sires and dams in our breeding programs.

The information is also used to monitor the performance of the progeny from these animals to ensure they are breeding the type of offspring that meets our breeding objective.

For more information please see the PDF documents below.

An introduction to LAMBPLAN

Understanding LAMBPLAN ASBV

Understanding LAMPLAN Maternal ASBV                                 

Read more...