Breeding for facial eczema resistance - A progress report
A.G. Campbell, H.H. Meyer, H.V. Henderson, C. Wesselink
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1981, 41: 273-278
Since 1975 one hundred and sixty Romney sires have been progeny
tested by sporidesmin challenge for facial eczema resistance status, as
estimated by degree of liver damage. The most resistant and susceptible
sires have been used to generate resistant and susceptible flocks for
biochemical and field study. The heritability estimate (h²) for
resistance, based on a total of 1455 progeny, was 0.42 ± 0.09.
Exposure to severe field challenge during a natural disease outbreak did
not swamp the resistance mechanism, and long-term survival and
liveweight was considerably higher in resistant than susceptible progeny
following such challenge. There is some evidence that Booroola merinos
may be more resistant than the Romney and Perendale breeds.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
