Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says the groundbreaking initiative aims to transform sheep-based production systems (file image). Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A new seven-year, $10.5 million dollar programme is setting out to breed sheep with finer wool, greater tolerance for hot weather, lower methane emissions and top quality meat traits.
State owned farming company Pāmu, its subsidiary Focus Genetics, AgResearch and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are teaming up for the programme dubbed 'Sheep of the Future' transformational for New Zealand sheep farming.
MPI is committing $4,197,800 towards it through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund.
The programme will enable benchmarking, breed comparisons, research on new traits, and breeding programmes to develop fine-wool and no-wool sheep in Aotearoa.
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie said the groundbreaking initiative aimed to transform sheep-based production systems.
"It will lower production costs and enhance farming businesses' viability while contributing to New Zealand's environmental and climate obligations," Leslie said.
One of the programme's goals is higher wool quality (file image). Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"The vision includes finer wool genetics (20-25 micron) that can be farmed beyond the arid areas that have traditionally been the home for Merino sheep, advances in strong wool breeds to increase disease tolerance, low-input traits to make farming less costly, continued breeding selection for animal growth and meat quality traits, and for rumen function with lower levels of methane emission."
Natalie Pickering from Focus Genetics, which will manage the programme, said climate change would likely have a marked impact on farms producing red meat and wool - but genetics provided an opportunity to select animals better adapted to the changing environment.
"It also also includes a feasibility study led by AgResearch's Dr Kathryn McRae, who will explore immune competence in New Zealand sheep. Immune competence is the ability of the animal to mount a healthy immune response following exposure to bacterial or viral infection," Pickering said.
It will also build on work already underway.
At Pāmu's farm Aratiatia near Taupō, the team is working with a fine-wool breeding flock alongside a control Romney line.
Measurements for production, reproduction, survival, disease, and fine-wool attributes are being conducted, along with environmental assessments. The objective is to identify fine-wool attributes suitable for a temperate environment.
At Pāmu's farm in Kerikeri a no-wool breeding flock has already been established.