Alison Henderson, a sheep farmer from Caltowie, is one of the early adopters of genetic technology. She wants to make her flock more drought-resilient. She intentionally uses cutting edge genetic information. Her mission is to breed her sheep for the hotter, drier future that’s taking over the entire Ranching West. Henderson operates his Hendowie Poll Merino and Baderloo Poll Merino studs. She deftly integrates visual evaluations with genomic information to inform breeding decisions, with the overall goal of improving eating quality, wool production and growth traits.
In an era where climate change poses significant challenges, Henderson believes that sophisticated genetic technology is essential for “droughtproofing sheep.” Her approach reflects a broader trend in agriculture where farmers are leveraging science and data to ensure their livestock can withstand adverse climatic conditions.
A Strategic Approach to Breeding
To improve the toughness of her premium local flock, Henderson uses a technique called complementary mating. This involves careful selection of rams that possess specific breeding values or traits she aims to strengthen within her sheep population. She uses data to mate ewes with rams known to produce desirable characteristics. This reproductive strategy augments the likelihood of generating strong offspring that perform well on many different traits.
Henderson asserts, “But for me, I focus on the key profit-driving traits.” Her data-driven approach serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning breeding practices with market demands. Simultaneously, she works to keep her operations sustainable.
By fully integrating genetic technology, Henderson is able to stay one step ahead of all the changing agricultural needs. As she notes, “You can use genetics, science and precision technology to keep the sheep industry as a viable enterprise in your farming system, but a very productive one.” Her independent, forward-thinking mindset allows her to take the lead in the sheep farming community.
Combining Data with Visual Assessments
So Henderson’s methodology isn’t limited to genetic data, but her exceptional eye for visual traits. With a combination of her sheep’s physical features and all their genomic data, she can make more detailed decisions about which animals she will breed. This new combination of techniques gives her a more comprehensive picture of her flock’s potential.
“I think the best way forward is to combine visual traits with data you can collect,” Henderson explains. This combined lens helps her identify the genetic highlights of the flock. It further empowers her to identify the environmental attributes that foster good health, encourage economically productive lifestyles.
The success of this innovative approach is clear in the outcomes. Henderson observes, “That’s really exciting to see what the progeny comes out as because often you are producing sheep that are excellent across a range of traits.” This superpower may prove to be the best defense against the alteration of the planet as we know it.
Embracing Change Amidst Challenges
Indeed, many challenges brought on by climate change have led to a fundamental change in practice among farmers like Henderson. She’s a big believer in the power of positive thinking, even with the challenges that long-term drought has laid at their feet. “I guess I’m a fairly optimistic person so I look for a silver lining in bad situations,” she shares. It is this outlook that fuels Anne’s enthusiasm for innovation and adaptation as part of her holistic approach to farming.
Mark Ferguson, an industry analyst for the American Agricultural Movement, points to the change in momentum inside the ag community during the last five years. “Over the last five years we’ve seen a bit of a momentum shift,” he comments. He warns that although genetics is sure to increase livestock resilience significantly, “You can’t get them bomb proof. This underscores the importance of ongoing adaptation and constant vigilance as they conduct farm business.
Henderson’s efforts exemplify how farmers can leverage genetic technology to enhance their operations and respond effectively to climatic challenges. As she puts it, “It’s no longer sheep just running around in the back paddock hoping for the best.” Instead, through informed decision-making and strategic breeding practices, she is paving the way for a more sustainable future in sheep farming.
