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Weatherbys Scientific and Australian Wagyu Association enter global partnership
Sheep Genotyping
We provide advanced genomic testing solutions for Australian sheep breeders, using a 60K SNP genotyping platform that delivers deep genetic insights.
Using a simple tissue sample, we deliver insights into parentage verification, recessive trait management, and genome-wide selection.
Genotyping gives you the confidence to make informed breeding and management decisions based on data, not guesswork.
Our testing helps you identify top-performing animals earlier, confirm parentage, manage the incidence of diseases and accelerate the rate of genetic improvement across your flock.
Through collaboration with Sheep Genetics, our results contribute to the calculation of genomically enhanced Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) — providing powerful tools for seedstock and commercial producers alike.
Unlock the potential of your flock:
Assign parentage accurately and minimise pedigree errors
Accelerate genetic gain within breeding programs
Select animals earlier in life with greater confidence
Make informed selection decisions for traits that can’t be measured visually, such as lean meat yield
Manage recessive genetic conditions with ease
Fast-track desirable traits, including polledness
Benchmark flock genetics and monitor improvement over time
Ovine 60K SNP Genotyping
Animals are genomically profiled using Weatherbys’ Ovine SNP 60K chip and our proprietary genotyping platform.
The assay analyses over 60,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the ovine genome, generating accurate, high-resolution genetic data suitable for a wide range of downstream applications. Quality control and advanced data processing ensure consistent, reliable results for each sample submitted.
Parentage Verification
Parentage testing takes the guesswork out of assigning lambs, improves the accuracy of pedigree information, and can save time traditionally spent tagging lambs at birth.
Confidently match each lamb to its sire and/or dam using our 60K genomic platform, ensuring pedigree integrity.
Why perform Parentage Verification?
Sheep parentage testing is used to:
- Provide a reliable confirmation of pedigree
- Match lambs from multiple-sire groups to specific rams
- Confirm parentage in reproductive techniques such as AI
- Identify sires associated with genetic abnormalities or lambing difficulties
- Determine which rams are siring the best breeding ewes, or those that aren’t siring anything at all, and
- Increase the accuracy of breeding values.
Sheep Genetics
Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs)
Through our collaboration with Sheep Genetics, genotypes generated using Weatherby’s Ovine SNP 60K platform are submitted to Sheep Genetics, who use the data to calculate ASBVs, guiding both breeding and purchasing decisions, with seamless integration into LAMBPLAN and MERINOSELECT.
Traits available through the Sheep Genetics Evaluation:
- Yearling fibre diameter
- Yearling fibre diameter coefficient of variation
- Yearling staple length
- Yearling clean fleece weight
- Yearling weight
- Yearling eye muscle depth
- Yearling fat depth
- Early breech wrinkle
- Worm egg count
- Yearling fibre curvature
- Weaning rate
- Condition score
- Fine Wool index
- Wool Production index
- Sustainable Merino index
- Merino Lamb index
Flock Profiling
Assess the average genetic merit of your flock by sampling 20 randomly selected animals, helping you benchmark progress against Merino flocks in the industry. Use the Flock Profile test to track genetic progress, identify opportunities for improvement and inform ram purchasing decisions.
neXtPredict is a Merino genomic-only selection tool developed by Sheep Genetics, and delivered in partnership between Weatherbys and neXtgen Agri.
Built on years of research, it ranks animals across 13 key traits using DNA alone — no pedigree or performance data is required.
Whether your focus is wool quality or lamb production, neXtPredict provides early, accurate insights and the availability of expert support from the neXtgen Agri team to help you make smarter, data-driven selection decisions.
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