The MLA Resource Flock first began as the Sheep CRC Information Nucleus Flock (INF) in 2007 and ran for five years until 2012. Over these five years, there was a large number of traits collected every year on the progeny of 5,000 ewes that were joined to over 100 industry sires annually.
From 2012, the MLA Resource Flock commenced and began collecting traits that are hard to measure (phenotypes) and genotypes on the progeny of sires nominated from the industry by breeders.
The 2025 and 2026 matings are being completed under the support of the MLA Donor company as well as support from The University of New England, Western Australian Department of Primary Industries Research and Development and Murdoch University along with a contribution from Sheep Genetics Members.
The design of the Resource Flock has remained similar throughout it’s many incarnations. Briefly, about 1600 lambs are being produced each year from artificially inseminated matings to Merino and crossbred ewes located at 2 research sites at Katanning (Western Australian DPIRD) and Kirby (University of New England).
The lambs are progeny of industry Terminal (The lambs were progeny of industry Terminal (Poll Dorset, Suffolk, Texel, White Suffolk, Southdown, Hampshire and Dorpers), Maternal (Border Leicester, Coopworth, Corriedale, Composites) or Merino (Merino, Poll Merino ranging from superfine to dual purpose types) sires, representing the major production types in the Australian sheep industry. The sires that have been chosen for the project represent a wide spectrum of genetic resources relevant for the future genepool of the Australian Flock. Most have also been selected based on ASBV to represent a wide range across the various traits.
In addition to these sites, add-on projects are run to complement the MLA Resource Flock. These projects aim to capture information from breeder flocks, some of which is not captured in the MLA Resource Flocks such as reproduction. Add-on projects also aim to target how information for hard-to-measure traits can be collected on-farm.
The resource flock is focussed on building the genomic reference that underpins the LAMBPLAN and MERINOSELECT evaluations. Consequently, the mating design is balanced around providing high accuracy breeding values for the contributing sires for hard to measure traits and building a genomic reference that describes the diversity of the industry. Consequently, in comparison to traditional progeny tests the resource flock is focussed on maximising the number of sires and will join comparatively less progeny per sire, approx. 16 ewes/sire via AI.
Sire allocation is based on breed type with sires separated into Maternal, Terminal, Merino and Shedding breeds. Sires are used across Dam breed type and Sites to create linkage and avoid confounding.
Nominations are being accepted by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) for the 2026 Resource Flock joining. All breeds are encouraged to nominate as the Resource Flock aims to build a genomic reference population of hard to measure traits. A focus is to sample a diverse range of sires that are reflective of Australia's sheep industry.
The selection criteria will be based on relationship to sires already in the Resource Flock, genetic diversity and index values.
Breeders will not be reimbursed for the cost of semen or semen collection. Despatch and freight costs will be covered by UNE/MLA.
The MLA Resource Flock aims to develop an industry reference population and focuses on diversity more than genetic merit.
Annually approximately 115 sires are selected from a range of breeds. The number of sires selected from each breed depends on the:
MLA Resource Flock add-on projects have their own selection criteria outlined in the Expressions of Interest of each project.
Spring is an exciting time for the 2025 drop with the Katanning lambs due to be weaned at the end of September with lambing due at Kirby in the next month. The AI mating at both sites has gone as planned with both sites reporting good reproductive rates.
Katanning - conception rate of 81% and a reproductive rate of 1.86 (foetuses per ewe pregnant)
Kirby - conception rate of 71% and a reproductive rate of 1.35 (foetuses per ewe pregnant)
If you are interested in nominating a sire/s to be used at the MLA Resource Flock sites, nominations open annually in spring. Details of the nominations will be communicated via monthly updates, Breeders Bulletin and email.
If you would like to receive these publications, contact us or subscribe to recieve our monthly e-newsletter. Details of the nominations will also be published on the website
Applications for MLA Resource Flock add-on projects will also be sent through these communication channels.