Breeding Parasite Resistant Polypays
The American Polypay Sheep Association is wrapping up a three-year project that could ultimately lead to enhanced parasite resistance for the breed.
Funded by the American Sheep Industry’s Let’s Grow Initiative, the study uses the National Sheep Improvement Program’s system of Estimated Breeding Values, or EBVs, in looking to quantitative genetics for a solution to a key sheep production problem.
With more rams genetically disposed to parasite resistance, producers will hopefully be able to select for the trait when making breeding decisions, reducing the need for costly and increasingly ineffective deworming treatments.