Researchers are confident they have scientifically proven, with the use of low cost electronic ear tags, the long-held observation that lambs follow their mothers, making determination of pedigree much cheaper and less time consuming.

A new low cost technique for helping sheep producers identify and improve flock genetics shows great promise, according to the results of a preliminary research trial.

The trial involved recording data from 64 lambs and 52 ewes fitted with electronic ear tags for about four weeks.

NSW Department of Primary Industries’ sheep researchers developed and conducted the trial in conjunction with the Sheep Co-operative Research Centre.

The one-week-old lambs - all of known pedigree - were tracked after they drifted from their lambing paddock.

By a sequential reading of electronic tag ID numbers recorded at a single point, researchers sought to prove, scientifically, the observation that lambs generally follow their genetic mothers.

More than 17 300 ID numbers were recorded and the data was scored for the association of each ewe with a following lamb.

The exercise found that 60 of the 64 lambs were trailing their mothers.

DPI e-sheep research leader, Dr Kevin Atkins, said the initial estimates of accuracy were considerably higher than anticipated.

'For the pilot we worked with sheep of known pedigree at the Centre Plus stud at Tullamore,'Dr Atkins said.

'We propose this method could be used in situations where full pedigrees are not known, and plan to conduct further trials in the near future.'

Dr Atkins said determining pedigree in sheep flocks was expensive and time-consuming, often involving blood tests.

'The cost often stops producers from managing flock genetics, particularly on the maternal side,' he said.

'In the long run, this technique could be a powerful yet inexpensive way of tracking and improving breeding lines.'

Contact: Dr Kevin Atkins, Orange, (02) 6391 3816 or kevin.atkins@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

- JOANNE FINLAY

This story appears in Agriculture Today.