Abstract:
Proc. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet. Vol13 AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND ADOPTION OF BREEDING TECHNOLOGIES BY WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MERINO RAM BREEDERS L. G. Butler' and D. P. Windsor* `Agriculture Western Australia, Narrogin, WA 63 12 *Agriculture Western Australia, Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Katanning, WA 63 17 SUMMARY A survey of Western Australian Merino ram breeders was conducted to assess their level of awareness, perceived understanding and adoption of genetic technologies. Both registered stud breeders and independent ram breeders reported a high level of awareness of most genetic terms. A significant gap between awareness and perceived understanding existed for both groups. The main concepts that need to be addressed with group breeders are genotype, selection differential, Rampower and BLUP. For stud breeders phenotype, estimated breeding value, selection index and genotype x environment interaction should be added. Most respondents believe measurement is valuable in achieving genetic gain. Independent breeders are more likely than stud breeders to use a selection index. Keywords: Breeder survey, genetics, sheep INTRODUCTION This survey was conducted to assist the Wool Program of Agriculture Western Australia to more effectively design and target its extension activities in sheep breeding and genetics and to provide benchmark information to assess progress in industry understanding and adoption of modem breeding technology. In 1991, a survey (Butler et al. 1995) of stud Merino breeders was conducted nationally. Changes in attitudes and knowledge of stud breeders, but not independent or group breeders (referred to as 'independent' breeders hereafter) could be assessed against the WA data from the 199 1 survey. The survey aimed to provide a benchmark for identifying the current (1997) levels of awareness and perceived understanding of, attitudes to, and application of modem animal breeding methods by members of the different sectors of the Western Australian wool industry. This paper discusses responses to those of the survey questions which addressed awareness, perceived understanding and adoption of genetic technologies by Western Australian Merino ram breeders. MATERIALS AND METHODS A draft survey instrument was pilot tested with three focus groups, each consisting of two stud breeders, two independent breeders and two commercial breeders before mailing to 100 randomly selected ram breeders (70 stud, 30 independent). Non-returns were followed up by mail and phone as necessary. Data were grouped and compared according to ram breeding sector. Awareness and understanding for stud and independent breeder were compared using chi-squared analysis. Average 294 Proc. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet. Voll3 levels of awareness by paired t-test. and understanding were compared within stud and independent breeder groups RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Valid responses were received from 48 Stud Merino Breeders (69% response) and 20 independent breeders (67%). This is estimated to represent about 10% of each sector in Western Australia. Level of awareness and understanding. Breeders' perceptions of their level of understanding of genetic terms are summarised in Table 1. Without exception the independent breeders claimed a higher level of perceived understanding of terms than did the stud breeders. Awareness of terms was generally high, with the exception of BLUF, interactions and phenotype. However the level of perceived understanding was lower than the ieve of awareness claimed by both sectors (PcO.05). This analysis did not attempt to differentiate perceived understanding from actual understanding. The main concepts that need to be addressed with independent breeders appear to be genotype, selection differential, Rampower and BLUP. For stud breeders phenotypes, estimated breeding value, selection index and genotype x environment interaction should be added to this list. Table 1. Awareness and understanding Term aware Heritability Genetic correlation Phenotype Genotype Selection differential Estimated breeding value Rampower Selection index GxE interaction Breeding objective Genetic progress Stud vs. Independent: `P<O. 88 of genetic terms (% of respondents) Stud Level of understanding (%) understand 73 48 19 25 33 44 21 33 23 60 56 aware 95 85 70. 70 70 15 65 75 70. 90 80 65' Independent understand 85 65 65' 45 40 65 35 60' 55' 85' 65' 40' . 71. 46 54 65 79 67 63 44 II 75 `P<O.O5 'P<O.Ol I Adoption. The measurement or More than 85% achieving genetic Independent in a selection low level of effects (30% majority (80-85%) of stud and independent breeders are comfortable with the use of performance records and incorporate measurements in their breeding program. of both Stud and Independent breeders believed that measurement is valuable for gain in their flocks. (65%) breeders were more likely than Stud breeders (27%) to combine measured traits index (P<O.Ol). Neither group makes extensive use of BLUP or EBVS, reflecting the understanding of these techniques. Few respondents used records of environmental of stud and 40% of independent breeders) to improve selection accuracy. Independent 295 Proc. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet. Voll3 breeders were more likely to have participated in sire referencing or central progeny testing (50% vs. 11%; PcO.01). Independent breeders were also more likely to use BLUP genetic trends to monitor genetic progress (3 1% vs. 3%; PcO.01). These results indicate that the rates of adoption for a range of powerful genetic evaluation techniques remain low despite relatively high levels of awareness of genetic concepts and a high recognition of the value of performance measurements. The future. Neither group indicated a desire to use such preferred supplier of genetic such services. Two thirds of a genetic evaluation service if made extensive use of genetic evaluation services, but both groups services in the future. Agriculture Western Australia tended to be the or breeding program services for those breeders prepared to pay for both stud and independent breeders expressed their willingness to use it was offered free of charge by Agriculture Western Australia. techniques to increase in the use of DNA Answers to qualitative questions indicated a high levell of interest in selection There was also considerable interest disease and parasite resistance. fingerprinting to provide pedigree information. These data suggest that past extension activities have been successful at raising breeder awareness of modem animal breeding principles and techniques but have been less effective in increasing the understanding of these techniques or supporting their adoption. Future extension activities will need to focus more directly on increased breeder understanding and technology adoption. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are grateful to the survey respondents and to Ros Morrow and Lyndal Steed who assisted conducting the focus groups and compiled the data set from the response sheets. REFERENCES Butler, L.G., Corkrey, S.R., Knox, I.J., Hannan, 35~58 1 in G. and Thomson, R.P. (1995) Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 296