A.I. To Be Used On Merinos

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 9

A.I. To Be Used On Merinos

Ten leading Merino studs in New South Wales are now using artificial breeding, Professor P. R. McMahon, head of the School of Wool Technology, University of New South Wales, said recently, according to the latest issue of “Straight Furrow." Professor McMahon, has recently returned from a 10month tour of 30 countries, including Russia. The professor met other Australian sheep experts in Russia, and, after inspecting Soviet sheep-breeding stations the party prepared a joint statement in Moscow. The other members of the Australian party were: Mr Basil Claphan, general manager of F. S. Falkiner, Pty., Ltd., Mr L. Rikard-Bell, a veterinarian retained by Mr G. B. S. Falkiner, of Haddon Rig, and Dr. E. M. Roberts, of the School of Wool Technology. The statement, released by Dr. Roberts—the first member of the party to return—in Sydney, confirmed earlier reports of the dramatic improvements in Russian sheep numbers and quality, and the importance of artificial breeding in this programme of improvement.

Professor McMahon explained that Russian techniques of artificial breeding would not be practical on a large scale under Australian conditions.

“The big difficulty is manpower,” said Professor McMahon.

Considerable handling of the sheep was necessary, he added.

Under Russian conditions, where sheep were housed up to four months a year, this was not a major difficulty. Professor McMahon said the techniques used by the Russians were substantially the same as those used in Australia. The effect of the Russian system was to “flatten the pyramid" of parent studs, daughter studs and general flocks. Professor McMahon explained. “Instead of a top ram mating with say, 200 ewes, 17,700 ewes can be mated artificially," he said. “Obviously this, combined with a sound system of recording can lead to widespread improvements.

“However, the ewes had to be kept under constant supervision during the breeding period. “The place of artificial breeding in Merino sheepbreeding in Australia is to spread the superiority of a particularly good ram over a large number of ewes, so that his sons, in turn, can improve other flocks," Professor McMahon said. “The Russians are no fools at sheep-breeding,” he added.

“Their methods are in line with those used by Bakewell,

the great English breeder, when he established the Leicester breed over 100 years ago.

“They have the added advantage of State farms with flocks of from 15,000 to 20,000, within which they can create discreet families with or without inbreeding and with or without crossbreeding,” he added.

Extensive use of progeny testing, and a “magnificent system of recording” were features of Russian sheepbreeding, Professor McMahon said.

“The records are objective—that is to say, something yoa can measure, yields, fleece weight, and so on—not someone’s opinion,” he added.