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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 49(1)

Genetic improvement of wool production in Spanish Merino sheep: genetic parameters and simulation of selection strategies

M. Valera A , F. Arrebola B , M. Juárez A and A. Molina C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Agroforestry Science, Agricultural Engineering College, University of Seville, Seville 41013, Spain.

B Center of Agricultural Research (I.F.A.P.A.), Hinojosa del Duque, Cordoba 14270, Spain.

C Department of Genetics, University of Cordoba, Edif. Gregor Mendel, Campus de Rabanales, Ctra, Madrid, Cádiz Km. 396-a, Cordoba 14071, Spain.

D Corresponding author. Email: gelmoala@uco.es

Animal Production Science 49(1) 43-47 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07061
Submitted: 23 February 2007  Accepted: 28 July 2008   Published: 5 January 2009

Abstract

Wool production of the Spanish Merino breed was analysed after several decades of genetic selection to improve meat production. Genetic parameters (heritability and correlations) were estimated for greasy fleece weight, staple length, crimp frequency and fibre diameter of 1869 Spanish Merino purebred sheep. Heritabilities ranged from 0.08 ± 0.050 (fibre diameter) to 0.22 ± 0.060 (staple length), and the genetic correlations ranged from –0.63 ± 0.159 (crimp frequency – staple length) to 0.75 ± 0.222 (fibre diameter – staple length). Genetic simulations were developed to show the consequences of eight selection strategies, which included single trait selection on wool traits and liveweight (the current selection criteria) and index selection combining traits. The results show that it is possible to improve wool and growth traits at the same time. Also, our results show there is indirect genetic progress for wool characteristics using the current liveweight selection criterion.


Acknowledgements

This research was partially funded by the Spanish Merino National Breeders’ Association. The authors would like to thank the Textile School of Arts and Trades of Sabadell (Spain) and the Wool Market of Zafra (Spain) for their information, and the referees of the Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture for their suggestions.


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