Genetic Improvementfor the Deer Industry

Sharon McIntyre

National Breeding Objective

National Breeding Objective

Conversation with industry about;

The traits that are important to them

What they would like to improve now and what may be more important in future

Exercise

What 5 traits would you like to improve genetically to increase your profitability?

Most Important

The FUTURE

What might be; more important New

“More, Earlier, Heavier, Better”

“More, Earlier, Heavier, Better”

What does success look like?

Plan to get there

Ongoing conversation

Chart progress

Does Selection work?

Does selection work?

Day 40 Day 30

1950 vs 2008

1957 Chicken Genetics

Day 43 Day 57 Day 71 Day 85

This was Achieved by Maximising Genetic Progress! (no hormones!)

2001 Chicken Genetics

Current Status

Strong Venison focus• 35 active herds• 7 recording meat• 7 recording early conception

Velvet• 2 herds recording velvet

Genetic Gain in Industry

Role of the DPT and DEERSelect

Large investment by DEEResearch• Provides genetic links between herds so

animals can be fairly compared.• 35 red deer herds

Elk and Wapiti – work in progress• 4 herds• Breed, DPT progeny half breeds

DEERSelect Improvements

DEERSelect reference group• Make policy and guide improvements• Better recording practises - accuracy• Encourage use of BV and Index information in

sire selection

SUPPORT THE ASPIRATIONS OF INDUSTRY

Productivity and Profitability