Sheep breeders will enjoy cheaper genomic testing of their flock when the price of the Sheep Genomic Test is reduced from $35 an animal to $27 (plus GST), when collected using a tissue sampling unit (TSU), and $30 (plus GST) when collected on a blood card.
The lower price is made possible through a combination of new developments that build efficiencies, spear-headed by a new online ordering system that makes purchasing and processing of orders quicker and easier for producers.
The SheepDNA site has been established by the Australian Innovation Company (AIC), the commercial delivery arm of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC).
Sheep CRC chief executive James Rowe said the new price structure and website, along with faster test processing times from Neogen Australasia, had been implemented to ensure more breeders could benefit from the technology.
“While demand for DNA tests has more than doubled over the last 12 months, it has been clear from our market research that there are still many more producers who want to undertake DNA testing but have been holding back until the ordering process was easier and cheaper,” Professor Rowe said.
“Making DNA testing more accessible will result in faster rates of genetic gain right across the national flock, and to be able to deliver the Sheep Genomic test at $27/head marks a major milestone for the sheep industry.
“Just two years ago the price of the same test was $50 (plus GST).”
He said it is also significant that the price of the Genomic Flock Profiling test will drop by $100 to $700 (+GST).
“This is an important development as many commercial producers are interested in this information in order to better target their ram buying decisions during 2018,” he said.
“The online ordering system will allow producers to select from the range of tests available, lodge their order, and track its progress.
“The user account system means they can keep a track of multiple orders and pay online.”