Sheep research takes transtasman twist

Wiki Thompson shows how it is done at this year's A & P show, in Dannevirke. Picture / Hawkes Bay Today

The production of high-quality wool from easy-shearing sheep is the aim of a new transtasman genetic research partnership.

SheepGenomics is a venture between Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation that aims to identify sheep genes related to health, welfare and productivity.

New Zealand livestock research agency AgResearch has joined the project and it aims to identify the genes responsible for wool quality and for triggering growth on the parts of sheep's bodies considered easier to shear.

Once these genes have been identified, selective breeding will encourage the desired characteristics.

AgResearch applied biotechnologies general manager Jimmy Suttie said joining the programme gave the New Zealand group some influence over the direction of the research.

New Zealand's influence and access to research had looked uncertain following a decision by sheep research organisation Ovita to drop wool research last year.

"A decision was made and AgResearch has picked up the baby, as it were, and carried that baby forward to everyone's advantage," Suttie said.

AgResearch will invest scientific expertise in SheepGenomics while money in the "high six figures" will come from the Australian partners.

Suttie was careful not to criticise Ovita, of which AgResearch is a third owner for dropping wool research, but said it was commercially important for New Zealand to maintain a scientific interest.

"Currently the pastoral industries may not think this is a particularly good area to be in, but we at AgResearch think it is and we'll put our money where our mouth is."

Kiwi scientists were considered among the best in the business, he added.

"From my point of view as a science manager it's bloody hard to keep them sometimes, because we can't afford the salaries that they might get overseas ... we've got to play all kinds of games to make sure we keep them here."

The high cost of modern research meant New Zealand needed to develop international partnerships.

"We don't have a show of standing alone ...

"We've got to pick the areas to be in and make sure that we've got our people pressing against the glass to get into the meetings internationally."

AgResearch joins nine Australia-based research organisations as a signatory to the SheepGenomics programme, which is also collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture and Utah State University.

SheepGenomics programme director Rob Forage said that AgResearch's input would make the project more effective.

Woolly thinking

* Wool industry was worth $1.08 billion in the last June 30 year.

* SheepGenomics is an Australian venture to identify sheep genes for health and productivity.

* AgResearch is joining to study wool genetics.

* Ovita stopped doing domestic wool research last year.

* New partnership ensures New Zealand will continue to benefit from cutting-edge science.