In general, the more traits you select, the slower the rate of progress on each trait. Therefore it is important to identify those traits that are most important in your business. This involves: *Determining target markets This is likely to include consideration of: *Fibre diameter, staple length and staple strength *Fleece weight Using feedback from your GIFT test, & alpaca sales to evaluate performance .............Objectively quantify your herd’s current productivity, eg, kilograms of fibre to highlight what might be genetic limitations of your current genetics and your market opportunities. ...........Participate in formal or informal benchmarking to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your enterprise and align your breeding objectives accordingly ...........Identify key traits essential for achieving production targets. In this module a ‘trait’ is defined as a production characteristic that you may select for, eg, fibre diameter, fleece weight, growth rate The traits to identify, and relative importance may include: Reproduction: weaning rate, mothering ability Growth traits: weaning, post weaning, adult weight Fleece traits: fibre diameter, fleece weight, staple strength, staple length Disease resistance: worms, When planning future progeny.....Genetics is only one contributing factor. Over the last decade, In the Merino research by Dept Prim Indust; NSW , the program showed that sheep producers can significantly boost returns from existing Merino flocks if they breed from animals selected on the basis of measured fleece weight and fibre diameter. Visit: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/sheep/breed-select/merin... You can gain from using genetics to:Lower fibre diameter and increase fleece weight at the same time A 24 year of study (sheep) of hogget fibre diameter and fleece weight records from a commercial flock. Rams were source from the same stud during that time. The result has been a reduction in fibre diameter by approximately 4 microns, and a simultaneous increase in fleece weight of 1kg per head. Most of the gains were made after 1992, when the selection emphasis in both the flock and its ram source moved from within-flock performance measurements to across-flock breeding values. (http://www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au/gain-from-genetics/procedure_9.2.h...) Using genetics in the breeding program The opportunity to genetically change characteristics in your herd is determined by a combination of how heritable (genetically controlled) the trait is, how much genetic variation exists and how well you can identify the genetic differences in the Alpacas you select. We can use the same proven Independent research results from the sheep industry in the Alpaca Industry. * Seek a GIFT report to fine-tune the genetics in your breeding program * Identify the most profitable traits for your enterprise * Quantify current productivity levels to identify opportunities for gain * Genetic decisions have long-term impacts on your herd. Take a longer term view of the market when planning your herd structure and production targets. Considerations include the opportunities for premiums of your fleece. * Set breeding goals based on an assessment of future market requirement * Use Australian Alpaca breeding values and visual assessment to select Sires * Seek a GIFT report to fine-tune the genetics in your breeding program While fibre diameter has a higher heritability than clean fleece weight (68% vs 42%) there is more opportunity to make genetic change in clean fleece weight because it has more than double the variation within most herds. This highlights relative performance in relation to wool production, wool quality and profitability, and allows Alpaca Breeders to easily compare the different bloodlines’ strengths and weaknesses. You can use this tool to help identify the best Sires to source for your breeding objective. The analysis takes out all environmental factors between trials and years, leaving only the genetic variation between the bloodlines. Trait Heritability Variation (%)Relative response1 Clean fleece weight42%16.3100 Fibre diameter 68% 7.5 75 S/P Follicles25%25 1 The genetic change achievable compared to change that can be achieved in clean fleece weight Breeding values The performance of a Sire (body weight, fleece weight, fibre diameter, daughters’ maternal characteristics), is a reflection of the genes and rearing/growing environment.This is often expressed as: Performance = Genes + Environment (P = G+E) Breeding values take account of the known environmental influences such as birth, age, age of dam and management group that can significantly influence an animal’s measured performance. The use of breeding values can greatly improve Sire selection.