What Sheep Genetics does

Sheep Genetics is the national genetic information and evaluation service for the meat and wool sectors of Australia's sheep and goat industries, established in 2005 and operated as a not-for-profit business unit of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). The organization delivers Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) — objective, comparable measures of genetic merit — through three flagship programs: LAMBPLAN (Terminal and Maternal meat sheep breeds), MERINOSELECT (Merino wool and dual-purpose breeds), and KIDPLAN (goats). As of 2025 it is transitioning to Combined LAMBPLAN, a unified multibreed evaluation that enables direct comparison across Terminal and Maternal breeds across 24 traits.

The technology platform is anchored by the proprietary OVIS genetic evaluation software employing Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) and single-step genomically enhanced analyses, co-developed with the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), a joint venture between the University of New England (UNE) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Underlying databases span approximately 10.86 million animals (4.1M MERINOSELECT, 2.8M Maternal, 3.96M Terminal) with 300,000+ genotypes incorporated into Combined LAMBPLAN, drawn from 4,500 flocks, 79 breeds, and 63,000+ sires. Supporting tools include MateSel (mate selection), RamSelect (ram purchasing), the Compare Animals Function, percentile-bands benchmarking, and an XML-based Submission Portal processing data from breeder-side software such as Pedigree Master.

The service operates through annual subscriptions (AUD $600 primary, $200 additional) plus per-animal data charges (AUD $3.10, FY27 rate), with direct client relationships managed by a small team of regional Development Officers (Marnie Hodge, Fiona Higgins, Victoria Ledger). Customer segments are seedstock/stud breeders (primary) and commercial sheep/goat producers across Australia, with international subscription services available for certain breeds. Go-to-market combines the biennial Leading Breeder Conference, regional forums and workshops, online learning via MLA platforms, the Ewe-niquely Genetics podcast, and one-on-one data audits. The organization is headquartered at Building W41a on the University of New England campus in Armidale, NSW, and reports an average 4% genetic gain across its three main analyses (2023-24).

Name

Sheep Genetics

Legal name

Sheep Genetics

Website

https://sheepgenetics.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheep Genetics, operated by Meat & Livestock Australia since 2005, provides the national genetic evaluation service for Australia's sheep and goat industries, delivering Australian Sheep Breeding Values through LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT, and KIDPLAN to seedstock and commercial producers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livestock Genetic Evaluation Software

NAICS

Sheep and Goat Farming (1124), Sheep Farming (112410), Goat Farming (112420)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Genomic Testing & Genetic Evaluation Services (AFAEAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD), Breeding Stock & Genetics (Rams/Bucks, Stud Services, AI/ET Programs) (AFAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Genetic evaluation services
• Sheep breeding values
• Livestock genetic analysis
• Animal breeding software
• Agricultural data analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Armidale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Stud Subscription: Annual subscription fee for access to Sheep Genetics services, including LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT, and KIDPLAN analyses. Includes primary stud subscription and additional stud subscription options.
2. Per Animal Data Charges: Per-animal database charges applied when animals achieve billable status through having weaning weight or later measurements (LAMBPLAN) or post-weaning trait information (MERINOSELECT). Once charged, additional data can be entered throughout the animal's life at no extra cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sheep Genetics operates as the national genetic information and evaluation service for the Australian sheep and goat industries, providing Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) through programs like LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT, and KIDPLAN. The service enables breeders to make data-driven decisions on animal selection, mate selection, and flock improvement using proprietary OVIS software with BLUP methodology and single-step genomic evaluations. Customers access results through the Sheep Genetics Search database and submit data via the XML-based Submission Portal.

Product overview

Sheep Genetics is a not-for-profit genetic evaluation service operated by Meat & Livestock Australia for the Australian sheep and goat industries. The offering consists of multiple genetic evaluation programs (LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT, KIDPLAN, and the emerging Combined LAMBPLAN), a web-based Submission Portal for data upload, and the Sheep Genetics Search platform for accessing results. Supporting tools include MateSel for mate selection, RamSelect for ram purchasing, and the Compare ASBVs Tool for analysis comparison. The service is supported by educational programs like BredWell FedWell workshops, the Ewe-niquely Genetics podcast, and resources including the Data Entry Book. The organization is in the process of implementing Combined LAMBPLAN, a unified analysis platform that will merge Terminal and Maternal LAMBPLAN into a single evaluation with enhanced genomic capabilities, rolling out in phases through 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LAMBPLAN: Genetic evaluation program for lamb and sheep producers, including Terminal and Maternal analyses
• MERINOSELECT
• KIDPLAN
• MateSel
• RamSelect
• Ewe-niquely Genetics
• Combined LAMBPLAN

Products and services

• LAMBPLAN Genetic evaluation service for Terminal and Maternal meat sheep breeds. Provides Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for growth, carcase, eating quality, reproduction, and functional traits through subscription-based access.
• MERINOSELECT Genetic evaluation service specifically for Merino sheep breeds. Provides ASBVs for wool production, body weight, reproduction, and visual traits to Merino breeders.
• KIDPLAN Genetic evaluation service for goats providing Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for participating goat breeders across meat and fibre breeds.
• Combined LAMBPLAN Unified genetic evaluation merging Terminal and Maternal LAMBPLAN analyses. Enables direct comparison of genetic merit across breeds for 24 traits covering growth, carcase, and eating quality. The world's only multibreed genetic evaluation of its kind.
• Sheep Genetics Search Online database and search interface providing access to animal records, ASBV results, and genetic evaluation reports. Includes percentile bands, filtering capabilities, and reports for MERINOSELECT, LAMBPLAN, and KIDPLAN analyses.
• Submission Portal Web-based platform for submitting sheep genetic data via XML uploads, with API integration enabling automated data submission from breed databases.
• MateSel Mate selection tool for breeders to identify optimal matings that balance genetic gain, component traits, and inbreeding risk within their flocks.
• RamSelect Online tool designed for commercial producers to evaluate and select rams based on ASBVs, matching ram teams to specific production goals.
• Flock Profile Test Genetic assessment service for commercial sheep producers providing flock-level benchmarking of genetic merit and identification of high-performing rams within the flock.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4% average genetic gain across the three main analyses (2023-24)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLA is the parent organization operating Sheep Genetics as a not-for-profit service. MLA funds R&D through projects including the Resource Flock and Combined LAMBPLAN analysis development. Sheep Genetics is a business unit of MLA.
• Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGBU is a joint venture between NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and University of New England. Responsible for genetic evaluation research and development including OVIS software, Combined LAMBPLAN analysis, and genetic parameter updates. Key scientists include Dr Sam Walkom and Dr Daniel Brown.
• University of New England (UNE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNE hosts AGBU joint venture and Sheep Genetics headquarters (Building W41a, The Short Run, UNE campus). Home to the Resource Flock management.
• NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW DPIRD co-funds AGBU joint venture with UNE. Contributes to sheep genetics research and development alongside MLA funding.
• Genomic Service ProviderscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Genomic Service Providers who support sheep breeders with genotyping services. Peta Bradley serves as key account manager for these partnerships.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Neogen Corporation: Global animal genomics and safety company offering genotyping services and genomic evaluation infrastructure across multiple livestock species. Comparable as a genomic service provider to Sheep Genetics' data submission and genomic evaluation capability, but at much larger scale and across many species.
• Zoetis Genetics: Animal health giant with a growing genetic and genomic services portfolio across livestock. A broad incumbent competing for the same genomic evaluation wallet share that Sheep Genetics targets, though not specialised in Australian sheep and goat breeding values.

Direct peers

• BREEDPLAN: Australia's beef cattle genetic evaluation system, also operated out of UNE with AGBU involvement. Directly comparable to LAMBPLAN in mission, technology stack (EBVs/ASBVs) and institutional model, but serves beef rather than sheep and goat producers.
• Angus Australia: Australian beef breed society that operates its own genetic evaluation and data services for Angus breeders using BREEDPLAN. Comparable model — breed society + genetic evaluation + member subscriptions — but for beef cattle rather than sheep/goat.
• DataGene: Australian dairy cattle genetic evaluation service (formerly ADHIS). Closely analogous operating model: industry-owned, subscription and per-animal fees, national evaluation role. Comparable in mandate and pricing structure, but for dairy rather than sheep/goat.
• Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI): Provides ILR pedigree software, breed registry and performance recording services to Australian and international livestock breed societies. Highly comparable on the data-management, software and breed-society service layer that underpins Sheep Genetics' submission portal and search database.
• Hereford Australia: Australian Hereford breed society running genetic evaluation services for its members via BREEDPLAN. Comparable to Sheep Genetics' per-breed society client base in mission, structure and reliance on national evaluation infrastructure.

Others

• AgResearch (New Zealand): New Zealand Crown Research Institute running livestock genetics R&D and contributing to sheep and dairy genetic evaluation. Comparable as a public-sector livestock genetics research partner adjacent to Sheep Genetics' AGBU collaboration, though broader in scope.
• Beef Improvement Federation: US coordinating body for beef cattle genetic evaluation programs, analogous to Sheep Genetics' role as national coordinator for sheep/goat genetic evaluation. Comparable in mandate and industry-coordination function across a national beef industry.

Emerging players

• CRV International: International livestock genetics cooperative providing genetic evaluations, AI and herd improvement services. Comparable as a multi-species livestock genetics service provider with a cooperative/membership model, though primarily focused on dairy and broader international markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL6xGkO-I5bMzzFXcdxTGGCE3fFpY3nvFJ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheep-genetics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sheep Genetics