Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Welfare and Breeding Trait Selection

Genetic selection in sheep for welfare-positive traits including disease resistance, lambing ease, and longevity improves welfare outcomes for future generations.

Key Facts

Signet EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) are available for multiple welfare-relevant traits
Resistance to nematode parasites is heritable and can be selected for using FAMACHA
Maternal traits including milkiness and ease of lambing affect lamb welfare
Footrot resistance breeding reduces lameness prevalence in offspring over generations
Longevity traits reflect overall health and welfare adaptability

Welfare Considerations

Genetic selection for welfare-positive traits is a long-term, scalable welfare intervention. Selecting rams with better welfare EBVs improves welfare outcomes across many offspring generations.

What You Can Do

Select breeding rams using EBVs that include welfare-relevant traits
Prioritise disease resistance and maternal traits in breeding decisions
Learn about sheep EBVs and their welfare implications
Support research into welfare trait inclusion in sheep breeding indices