Unraveling Sheep Genetics Through Time with Dr. Andrew Swan

Join us today on a journey through time as we delve into the intricate world of sheep genetics. In this episode of Genetics in the Paddock with Emily, we'll unravel the rich history and evolution of sheep genetics, exploring how far the genetic evaluation system for sheep has come since the 1980’s. Our guest speaker, Andrew Swan, a chief scientist from the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) will share his experience through genetic milestones, including the merging of various data sets to create Sheep Genetics, the influence of genomics and identification of various traits to include within the genetic evaluation. We'll also discuss the role of the reference population and where the industry is currently at today. Whether you're a seasoned shepherd, a genetics enthusiast, or simply curious about the history of our the sheep industry, this episode will provide a deep dive into the remarkable history and evolution of sheep genetics that you won't want to miss. Tune in as we thread together the pieces that have made Sheep Genetics into the incredible tool it is today. AGBU is a joint venture between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Reigional Development (DPRID) and University of New England (UNE). Please share this podcast with your fellow producers and colleagues and feel free to contact us with suggestions or comments via this email address: [email protected] with “Podcast” in the title. Resources related to the discussion within this podcast: Sheep Genetics: https://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/The information discussed in this podcast are for informative and educational purposes only and do not constitute advice.