Genetics

Sheep

About Us

The genetic improvement of animals has a very large impact on the productivity and efficiency of agricultural production systems. Nowadays, valuable animal protein and fiber is produced with many less resources than a few decades ago. This enables a more sustainable food production with healthier animals, a lower environmental footprint and a more viable rural industry.

The incredible advances in DNA technology have recently revolutionized the field of genetics.. Genomic information has great benefits in prediction of differences in phenotype due to genetic differences, and this can be used in the selection of breeding animals or plants. The same principles are also used in human genetics to predict disease risk based on genomic profiles, and this will increasingly lead to ‘personalized medicine.

We look at measuring new traits in animals to select on, such as those related to the quality of meat, the efficiency of feed conversion, methane production in sheep and cattle and various health and behavioural traits. We also look at the expression of genetic differences in different environments and how some animals (or plants) might be more robust to environmental variation and fluctuation, and we aim to optimise breeding programs where genetic improvement needs to be balanced by maintaining genetic diversity.

Armidale is one of the lead centers in the world in the area genetics of livestock. We have a large research portfolio and strong links with industry programs. We work very closely with the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) who maintain the national genetic evaluations for beef, sheep and pigs, and with the NSW Department of Primary Industries,. We are internationally renowned for our research in livestock genetics and its application in genetic improvement but have active and expanding programs in the genetics of agricultural crops, forest trees and some aspects of human genetics.

Our Research

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Cows