Research

 

The ARDG has positioned itself at the forefront of research and development since its inception in 1968.

 

We have been performance recording from the beginning. We have also been able to gain and maintain very strong links with Ag Research. In particular we have enjoyed an association with Dr. Chris Morris, our geneticist for many years, and Mr Neville Amyes which has enabled us to be pathleaders in many of the hard to measure traits, e.g.: facial eczema, worm resilience and molecular breeding values as our flocks have been used extensively to build databases and field work for the research carried out by Ag Research.

 

An example of this is that a sample of blood has been taken and stored from all rams used over our recorded flocks dating back to 1968. These bloods have been used extensively by Ag Research as Dr. John McEwan has set about identifying DNA markers and will be highlighted when a marker is released sometime in the next 18 months for facial eczema.