VN May 2023

Vetnews | Mei 2023 13 Merino numbers in South Africa reached nearly 50 million in the 1930s and 1950s, then were reduced to sustainable levels. Of about 22-25 million sheep in 2022, 16 million are wool sheep. The value of meat from Merinos is estimated at twice that of wool since sheep meat is prized at a consistent premium. Several breeds originate from the Merino, augmented over the years by importations from many countries. In the past, emphasis was placed on evaluations based on looks rather than performance, spreading the genes of sheep ill-suited to their environment. Breeding is increasingly based on objective, measurable performance under practical circumstances, in proportion to relative financial value, combined into an Estimated Breeding Value Index. Because of meat’s crucial role in financial viability, selection and genetic progress are based on ewes’ fecundity and mothering abilities. Large numbers of breeding animals required for significant genetic progress to be made led to the formation of Group Breeding Schemes that combine genetics from many farms with agreed breeding objectives. Measuring ram performance under practical conditions with minimal supplementation is a way of evaluating the genetic suitability of breeding stock. Direct genetic identification using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction enables estimates of direct genomic value and breeding value indices. Estimated breeding values are increasingly available, along with relative economic values and indices for rams offered for sale. Organisations to promote agriculture in South Africa began in the 1790s, and by the 1830s, several farmer-led societies promoted livestock. In 1906 aWoolgrowers’Association was created, followed by local wool sheep associations, culminating in the National Wool Growers’Association in 1929. In 1930, an advisoryWool Council was formed, becoming the statutory South African Wool Board in 1946. These two bodies continued to deliver complementary services to the wool industry until 1998, when Cape Wools, the Wool Trust and theWool Forum took over some of the Board’s functions. The NWGA continues to provide dynamic leadership and unique services to its membership, including over 2 700 commercial and 30 000 small- scale communal wool farmers. Concurrently, breed societies were created and developed to promote breeds. Wool marketing is done through various brokers and a compulsory wool levy financed operations between 1929 and 1998. South Africa joined other countries in forming the International Wool Secretariat in 1937 but withdrew in the 1990s. Legislation relating to sheep dates back to the Dutch era (1652- 1795), regulating the movement, taxation and disease control of livestock. In the British era (1795-1910), this legislation included animal welfare, starting in 1856. Regulations, inmany cases, support Parliamentary Acts. There are also official Standards relating to the transportation of livestock and the conduct of sales yards. Sectoral organisations like the NWGA and CapeWools have drawn up Codes of Best Practices for farmers, recently strengthened by Standards. Degradation of the natural indigenous vegetation and veld, followed by reduced carrying capacity for productive livestock and soil erosion, has been an enduring problem for over 300 years, the causes of which were hotly debated. The original transhumance systemmost closely resembled thenatural grazing systemofwildlife The groups doing this are known as Veld Ram Clubs. The Merino Breeders Association was formed in 1937. Article >>> 14