An ex-post cost-benefit analysis of the Ovita lamb survival project

<p dir="ltr">Improving lamb survival has both economic and animal welfare benefits for sheep farmers. However, genetic improvement is often considered of little practical benefit because of the low trait heritability and recording limitations, especially under extensive management. The Ovita Lamb Survival research project improved industry recording and genetic evaluation of lamb survival from 2003. To quantify research impacts, an ex-post cost-benefit analysis was undertaken using genetic trends of direct and maternal lamb survival breeding values from 1995 until 2023. In 2023, the average direct breeding value for lamb survival in dual-purpose ram breeding flocks was 1.98% higher than in 1995, and the maternal breeding value was 1.10% higher than in 1995. Conservative gene flow calculations indicate that genetic improvements are likely responsible for an additional 337,000 commercial lambs weaned in 2023, worth $54 million per year to the New Zealand economy. Accounting for inflation, genetic lags and the timing of the research investment (2003-2012), and a discount rate of 8%, the net present value was estimated at $164 million. These results provide strong evidence of the returns from the Ovita investment.</p>