Meat Sheep Genotyping Services
Improve the quality of your lamb meat with genotyping. Target key traits and drive flock productivity with reliable genetic data.
LAMBPLAN: Empowering Meat Sheep Breeders
LAMBPLAN is a genetic evaluation system from Australia’s Sheep Genetics.
The system is built for terminal and dual-purpose sheep producers and enables users to assess the genetic potential of a ram across a number of traits and benchmark flocks on the basis of their genetic potential.
The Benefits of Using LAMBPLAN
- The interactive database makes it easy to access genetic data that can help improve your ram selection decisions, as well as your flock’s rate of genetic gain and overall productivity.
- LAMBPLAN’s use of ASBVs means ram breeders can make direct comparisons within flocks of a particular breed and across different breeds within the terminal sire group, making performance benchmarking much easier.
- By making purchasing decisions in conjunction with LAMBPLAN ASBVs, commercial buyers can objectively compare rams to identify which ones best match their target markets and production system requirements.
LAMBPLAN and XytoVet: The Process
Once we’ve received your TSU sample and ensured its integrity, we’ll extract the DNA, process it and prepare your genotype data.
We’ll then send this data to the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), which will conduct the parentage and poll/horn analysis and return the results. We’ll send you this report once we are sure that it aligns with the requested testing.
AGBU will forward the poll/horn results and the genomics data to Sheep Genetics for inclusion in the next LAMBPLAN analysis run. You will need to upload the parentage results, along with any other trait measurements you have, to the Sheep Genetics Submission Portal (or by emailing the file to info@sheepgenetics.org.au) prior to the cut-off for the analysis run date. For LAMBPLAN, this is the 1st and 15th of each month, except if that date falls on a weekend/NSW public holiday. In this case, the cut-off will be brought forward to the first business day prior.
The ASBVs for your animals will become available once the analysis has been completed by Sheep Genetics. You will be able to see these results approximately ten days after the analysis date by logging into the Sheep Genetics online dashboard.
See our full sheep genetic testing services. Merino or dual-purpose? See MERINOSELECT genotyping.
Get In Touch
Discover how DNA analysis of your flock can drive more efficient meat production. Get in touch to learn more about your flock’s ASBVs so you can make informed, strategic decisions about your breeding program far into the future.
Order LAMBPLAN meat lamb genotyping services with us today using the form below, and our friendly team will reach out as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is LAMBPLAN and how does it work?
LAMBPLAN is Australia’s genetic evaluation system for terminal and dual-purpose sheep, run by Sheep Genetics, and reports Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) that show an animal’s genetic potential across traits like growth, muscle and fat.
XytoVet manages the DNA and genomics side of the process for you. Once we’ve extracted and processed your samples, we send the data to the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), which forwards it to Sheep Genetics for inclusion in the next LAMBPLAN analysis run.
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What's the difference between LAMBPLAN and MERINOSELECT?
Both are Sheep Genetics evaluation systems, but they suit different types of sheep and breeding objectives. LAMBPLAN is for terminal and dual-purpose meat sheep, as it focuses on traits like growth, muscle and carcase quality. MERINOSELECT is the national genetic evaluation for Merino sheep, with an emphasis on fleece weight and fibre traits.
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Which meat-specific traits can be identified through genotyping?
For meat-producing sheep, genotyping focuses on traits like body size, muscle development, fat distribution, growth efficiency, and disease resistance.
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How often should I genotype my lamb-meat flock?
This depends on your breeding cycle and objectives. It’s common to test when selecting breeding stock or introducing new genetics into the flock. You may choose to test key animals in your flock more regularly, e.g. every 1-2 years, to track their breeding value. Undertaking periodic testing also ensures that you benefit from evolving genetic technologies and markers while allowing you to monitor genetic diversity.
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How can I use genotyping to improve feed efficiency in my flock?
By identifying sheep with genetic markers linked to better feed conversion ratios and growth rates and then selecting them for breeding, you can gradually enhance the feed efficiency of your flock. This can lead to lower feeding costs and faster growth to market weight.
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What sample do I need to provide for LAMBPLAN DNA testing?
Our preferred sample type is a TSU (Tissue Sample Unit) sample for LAMBPLAN genomic testing, however we will also accept blood and semen cards. Once we’ve received your TSU sample and confirmed its integrity, we extract the DNA, process it and prepare your genotype data ready for AGBU and Sheep Genetics.
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When will I receive my LAMBPLAN ASBV results?
Once we’ve sent your genomic data to Sheep Genetics, your ASBVs are calculated at the next scheduled LAMBPLAN analysis run. Sheep Genetics runs LAMBPLAN evaluations twice a month, on the 1st and 15th (brought forward to the prior business day if this falls on a weekend or NSW public holiday), with results usually available around ten days after the run date.
We’ll keep you updated on where your samples sit against these cut-off dates, especially if you’re testing ahead of a sale or joining.
