SHEEP producers now have the opportunity to DNA test their breeding stock for parentage and poll status in Merinos for just $17, as part of a new research program being run by the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC).

The Sheep CRC is calling for registrations from sheep breeders for the 2012 Genomics Pilot Project, with applications open from this Wednesday, August 15.

The Project offers three DNA testing programs: a SNP test for parentage at $17/test; a SNP test for Merino poll for $17/test; and the 50k SNP test for prediction of genomic breeding values for sires at a cost of $50/test. Merinos tested for parentage, or with the 50k SNP, will receive the poll test results at no additional cost.

The 2012 Pilot Project will deliver valuable commercial information to breeders, while at the same time providing research answers to questions such as: what is the gene frequency of horn genes in the Merino sheep population; and how to sample and use the tests most effectively in breeding programs.

The ability to DNA test for parentage in any breed, Merino poll and a range of other genetically inherited traits, will provide ram breeders with greater certainty when selecting breeding stock, Sheep CRC chief executive officer James Rowe said.

Sheep breeders will be able to use DNA testing in young rams to identify a wide range of traits and achieve faster gains and better balance in ram selection and breeding programs.

Prof. Rowe said the prices set for the tests would be attractive to producers, and were in line with similar programs in other livestock breeding programs.

The cost of genotyping is continuing to fall and we are confident that in 2013 the genomic tests will be available to the industry on a commercial basis at prices that will deliver a good return on investment, he said.

The CRC has decided to provide the 50k genotyping test at $50 because we are confident that this is close to the commercial price for testing in 2013 and beyond.

The beef and dairy industries already have 7-10k SNP tests available around this price and a similar product will be available for the Australian sheep industry by 2013.

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DNA tests for $17 in pilot projects