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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427653
Research Project: Discovery of Novel Traits to Improve Efficiency and Sustainability of Different Sheep Production Systems

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Where performance meets progress: Lessons from the Wyoming Ram Test

Author
item LAVERELL, DYLAN - University Of Wyoming
item Murphy Jr, Thomas
item STEWART, WHITNEY - University Of Wyoming

Submitted to: Sheep Industry News
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2025
Publication Date: 7/31/2025
Citation: Laverell, D., Murphy, T., Stewart, W. 2025. Where performance meets progress: Lessons from the Wyoming Ram Test. Sheep Industry News. 29(8):24-26.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Central performance ram tests were once the mainstay of genetic evaluation in the U.S. sheep industry. In many ways, central performance ram tests have been surpassed by across-flock national genetic evaluation programs in terms of their accuracy at identifying genetically superior breeding sheep. However, information generated from central performance ram tests provides sheep producers with valuable insights into historic phenotypic trends and underlying mechanisms associated with performance and health. This popular press article highlights findings from ongoing central performance ram tests throughout the U.S. as well as important considerations to ensure their utility in the future.