Development of tools allowing the exploitation of genomic selection technologies in the UK sheep population

This project aims to enable the innovations that will enhance the supply of more efficient and productive breeding stock to the UK sheep sector through the development of the tools that will allow the exploitation of new genomic technologies. It brings together a consortium comprising Innovis, Dalehead Foods, and Waitrose and experts from Aberystwyth University and the Roslin Research Institute It will utilise phenotyping of around 50 traits alongside new genomic profiling and genotyping technologies for the first time, using the Innovis selection lines. It will yield genomic information that will lead to the use of Genomic Breeding Values to allow selection for sheep carrying traits that cannot easily be measured in vivo. The ability to utilise genomic selection to supply commercial breeding stock based on these traits will then enable the UK sheep industry to take advantage of enhanced production efficiency with the associated welfare and environmental benefits.