@conference {41676,
	title = {An evaluation of sheep meat genetics in New Zealand: The central progeny test (CPT)},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {368-372},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {The New Zealand Central Progeny Test (CPT) was first established in 2001 with the aims of improving the carcass dollar value of sires and establishing genetic links among sire referencing schemes. Over the past three seasons, a total of 72 sires from both terminal and dual purpose breeds have been evaluated for meat genetics at the AgResearch Woodlands farm and the Lincoln University Ashley Dene farm. All progeny, except the 2004 born ewe progeny from the dual purpose sires, were slaughtered at monthly intervals from December to March each year through two Alliance plants, at threshold liveweights of 34kg. Carcass measurements included cut yield (measured by ViaScan grading) eye muscle area, GR, meat pH, meat and fat colour and days to reach an 18kg carcass weight. These measurements were used to calculate three key indices; days to kill, meat value and a combined meat and growth index, as well as individual breeding values. Results showed significant variation among sires for all key traits and that no single ram or breed dominated the top of the indices or breeding values. The range of economic value was approximately $10 across the terminal and dual purpose sires evaluated, demonstrating that considerable potential exists to identify and select better terminal sires. The CPT is now commencing maternal evaluation, using the retained ewe lambs produced from the dual purpose sires. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {McLean NJ and Jopson NB and Campbell AW and Knowler K and Behrent M and Cruickshank G and Logan CM and Muir PD and Wilson T and McEwan JC}
}
@conference {41439,
	title = {The Alliance Central Progeny Test: Preliminary results and future directions},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {63},
	year = {2003},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {197-200},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Queenstown},
	abstract = {The Alliance Central Progeny Test (CPT) was established in 2001 with the aims of improving the carcass dollar value of sires under the Alliance grading system and establishing links among ram breeders so Alliance can identify the best rams for their clients.  In the 2002/2003 season 22 terminal sires from nine different breeds were evaluated.   Each ram was mated to 30 ewes at the AgResearch Woodlands research farm.  Progeny numbers for each ram ranged from 13-46.   Initial early results showed that breeding values for weaning weight were well spread among sires (range over 2.5 kg) indicating there were genetic differences among sires used.  Lambs were slaughtered in four slaughter groups between December 16th , 2002 and March 11th , 2003.  Analyses from the full data set will be available from May 2003. The next cycle of the Alliance CPT begins with mating in April, 2003, with an emphasis on dual-purpose sires.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Campbell AW and Knowler K and Behrent M and Jopson NB and Cruickshank G and McEwan JC and Wilson T}
}
