@conference {41016,
	title = {Cost-benefit analysis of commercial use of the Inverdale prolificacy gene},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {157-160},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The Inverdale prolificacy gene is one of several potential major genes currently being explored for commercial application to the New Zealand sheep industry. We calculated economic benefits of two strategies to breed Inverdale carrier stud rams using gene flow methodology. Strategy 1 involves continuous transition matings from a conventional stud flock to generate Inverdale carrier ewes while Inverdale carrier ewes are self replacing in Strategy 2. Strategy 1 involved less DNA testing per ram sold, resulting in a $140 saving in testing costs at $50 per test. Reduction in conventional genetic response was also lower for Strategy 1 (<5\% as opposed to 24\% for Strategy 2) although Strategy 1 requires closer monitoring of animal identification and some Inverdale rams must be kept to produce carrier ewes. Commercial Inverdale use was shown to be highly beneficial in an existing terminal sire mating system with an added value over a normal ram of $3350 per Inverdale ram purchased. This was also highly cost effective with an expected DNA test price of $50 to $75 per sheep genotyped. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Amer PR and McEwan JC and Dodds KG and Davis GH}
}
