Technical notes
SIL indexes 
Sheep Industry Breeding Objectives (2022) The 2022 review reflects changes in sheep production practices, current and projected product prices and production costs.
Meat Quality The Meat Quality module is based on genetic parameters, carcass quality measurements & genomic information provided by the South Island Genomic Calibration flock (SIGC)
Terminal NZGE (Research) Research NZGE Terminal evaluation incorporating genotypes from Terminal breeds.
NZGE update NZGEv6 - incorporating genotypes from both Terminal and Maternal breeds in one evaluation, increasing the accuracy of BVs and Indexes.
NZMW & NZTW indexes: Overview An overview of the Maternal Worth (NZMW) and Terminal Worth (NZTW) indexes which draw on the core traits relevant to maternal flocks and terminal flocks.
How to use NZMW and NZTW indexes An introduction to using the New Zealand standard indexes - Maternal Worth (NZMW) and Terminal Worth (NZTW)
Introducing NZGE An overview and introduction to the New Zealand Genetic Evaluation (NZGE).
Accuracy - BVs and indexes Factors affecting the reliability of breeding values and indexes
Breeding Values from NZGE Integration of DNA information, measurement and pedigree in the NZGE reported as gBVs utilising all sources of available information.
Reporting by Connectedness Ability to produce across flock reports only showing values for connected animals and traits that can be validly compared.
Reproduction, Survival and Maternal traits
Hogget exclusion from Survival The NZGE Survival model has been updated to exclude Hogget data.
Capped Reproduction Decreasing reward for additional multiple born lambs at higher lambing percentages in the NZGE evaluation.
Capped Reproduction Guide An overview of Capped Reproduction and its importance.
Coding Lamb losses SIL guidelines on what to do about coding lamb losses in severe storms.
Recording Stayability (STAY) The ability of the ewe (or rams ewe progeny) to remain productive in the flock. This document describes its current definition and future developments which require improved recording of exit fates.
Maternal breeding values Focusing on genetic merit for ewe traits - milking and mothering abilities
Hogget lambing Improving hogget fertility and litter size
Twinning rate Increasing the proportion of twins at the same lambing percentage
Accuracy Amount of data from sib & daughter lambing. Factors affecting accuracy for reproduction traits
Lamb Survival Selection to increase number of lambs weaned
Production traits - Meat and Wool
Revised Meat Reporting The Meat module was updated in September 2018 to reflect change in carcass weights, composition and mix of current breeds. All genetic parameters were re-estimated and updated in SIL.
Meat Processor information Relates to: Inclusion of meat processor information in the revised Meat module.
Revised wool and wool quality modules Replaces the three modules, Wool, Fine Wool and Wool Quality, with two modules, Wool and Wool Quality.
Meat Quality The Meat Quality module is based on genetic parameters, carcass quality measurements & genomic information provided by the South Island Genomic Calibration flock (SIGC)
Revised Meat Yield Module September 2018 changes reflecting current processing weights (18.6kg), carcass composition and breeds.
Carcass merit Meat scanning to assess carcass merit: Using ultrasound scan data to predict carcass merit
Meat EBVs 2010 changes to SIL Growth & Meat indexes: SIL has revised the genetic evaluations and indexes for growth & carcass merit (Meat) traits.
Health and welfare traits
Internal Parasites Selection to increase resistance of sheep to internal parasites: Selection for low worm faecal egg counts
Resiliance Protocol Resilience to Internal Parasites protocol: Protocol for measuring resilience for genetic evaluation
CarLA saliva test for resistance to internal parasites SIL offers an eBV for parasite resistance based on the CarLA test - the CARLA® saliva sampling system was developed by AgResearch & Ovita.
Facial Eczema Selection to increase tolerance to facial eczema and an explanation of the FE Star ratings
Recording Body Condition Score for Genetic Evaluation A breeding value and subindex is available for ewe body condition score (BCS). This is how it should be used and recorded.
Dag Score Selection to reduce dagginess.
Bare Points Sheep SIL can record bare points traits on the SIL database including fleece cover on the breech and belly, and tail characteristics
Lists of flocks registered for FE Tolerance If you are a breeder and wish to sign up for the RamGuard programme contact: Neville Amyes, AgResearch, ph (07) 838 5421
Ewe Stayability The ability of the ewe (or rams ewe progeny) to remain productive in the flock. This document describes its current definition and future developments which require improved recording of exit fates.
List of flocks registered for WormFEC If you are a breeder and wish to sign up for the WormFEC (Internal Parasite Resistance) Service, please contact: Techion Group www.techiongroup.co.nz or Gribbles www.gribblesvets.co.nz/wormfec
Research
Methane emissions Recording and reporting associated with the Methane Module
Methane BV units and Interim Methane Index An interim index for methane has been set up in SIL and nProve as a custom index until a methane yield breeding value is available.
DNA and gene tests
DNA parentage basics This technical note pertains to the basic requirements for successful SIL DNA Parentage
DNA Trait collection calendar A DNA trait collection calendar as presented during workshops at the Sheep Breeder Forum in July 2018.
Docking Fact Sheet for DNA parentage Best practice tips presented by Hamish Bibby and Neville Amyes at the 2018 Sheep Breeder Forum workshops
DNA Genotype providers DNA Genotype provider contact details
Genetic evaluation
Breeding Values from NZGE Integration of DNA information, measurement and pedigree in the NZGE reported as gBVs utilising all sources of available information.
NZGE Upgrade to Version 6 (NZGEv6) A new version of the NZGE - known as NZGEv6 - will be available in SIL and nProve from 2 December 2024.
Reporting by Connectedness Ability to produce across flock reports only showing values for connected animals and traits that can be validly compared.
NZGE update - Nov 2022 NZGE V4 Texel and Genotype inclusion criteria
WWT Contemporary groups Weaning Weight Contemporary groups
Terminal NZGE (Research) Research NZGE Terminal evaluation incorporating genotypes from Terminal breeds.
NZGE update - Feb 2024 NZGE V5 - including improvements to BV and Index accuracy and genotype inclusion criteria
Breeding objectives
Tools for Breeders
Data Auditing Tools - Reproduction and Survival Tools to characterise flock data held by SIL for Reproduction and Survival
Breeder Calendar: Yearly Trait Collection and Reports A helpful calendar presented at workshops during the 2018 Sheep Breeder Forum to assist with recording data
Facial Eczema reporting: Decision Tree Restricted trait reporting: If flocks meet the specified criteria, access to restricted BVs can be provided for a limited time
WormFEC reporting: Decision Tree Restricted trait reporting: If flocks meet the specified criteria, access to restricted BVs can be provided for a limited time
Single Step Genotyping: Decision tree This decision tree can be used to determine if genotypes from young animals would likely be included in a Single Step NZGE.
Index and Breeding Value Direction Helpful tools to help you make informed decisions with indexes and breeding values.
NZGE Genotyping: Decision tree This decision tree can be used to determine if genotypes from young animals would likely be included in a Single Step NZGE.
Ram buyer tips
Ram Buyers Guide Quick tips and pointers on genetic plans and buying rams
Working with CSV files Some csv files are available on the SIL website (e.g. Leader lists) or you may have requested a csv report in addition to or instead of a normal report from your bureau.
Reading the NZGE Percentile Band Tables Percentile bands tables are designed to enable breeders and ram purchasers to benchmark animals for indexes and traits relative to other animals in the NZGE analysis.
Percentile Bands Table A link to the Percentile Bands Table. This can also be found on our Tools page, under NZGE Reports.
Young Ram Percentile Bands Table A link to the Young Rams Percentile Bands Table. This can also be found under Tools > NZGE