Texel breed at forefront of genetic research

The Texel breed is at the forefront of pioneering research into sheep genomics, with British Texels included in a research partnership between the UK and New Zealand.

The partnership, has resulted in genomics research being carried out by AgResearch scientists in New Zealand, and funded by Ovita, with DNA samples from more than 10,000 animals, including nearly 300 progeny sires in Britain, being used.

British Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates said: “Genomics will allow a DNA sample to be used to directly estimate breeding values for certain traits.

“To formulate and refine the prediction equations requires large numbers of well recorded animals, ideally progeny tested sires, which is something the Texel breed has in both the UK and New Zealand, and indeed in many other parts of the world.”

He said he hoped by combining the information from the two countries, more robust estimated breeding value predictions could be achieved.

“While the application of genomics in the sheep industry is still some years away, thanks to this ground breaking work, British Texel breeders should be among the first to benefit from it when it does become a commercial reality,” he added.