Merino Superior Sires 15, published by the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA), is the latest offering of the report that has been produced annually since 1994, enabling breeders to compare hundreds of top sires evaluated at up to 14 sire evaluation sites across all the major wool growing regions in Australia.

AMSEA chair, Knox Heggaton, says Merino Superior Sires offers even more to breeders this year.

"The recently released Breech Wrinkle ASBVs have been included in Merino Superior Sires for the first time," Mr Heggaton said.

"This makes Merino Superior Sires a must have for any breeder looking to integrate a genetic alternative to mulesing into their breeding objective.

"Using Merino Superior Sires, breeders can select for plainer, lower wrinkle sheep, whilst at the same time keeping an eye on productivity."

The Breech Wrinkle ASBV has been recently released by Sheep Genetics and is a result of five years of intensive investment in research and breeding initiatives across the country.

The research was funded by Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia, together with AMSEA and the Sheep CRC.

This research has shown that sheep with lower Breech Wrinkle ASBVs have demonstrated less susceptibility to flystrike.

However, Mr Heggaton reminds breeders that research has also shown the relationship between breech wrinkle and fleece weight must be carefully managed, so as to prevent associated negative production effects.

"Breeders need to be careful that they keep selection for breech wrinkle in balance with other traits in their breeding objective. Too much emphasis could result in losses in fleece weight which is one of the major profit drivers of any wool growing enterprise," he said.

"Adding another trait to your breeding objective may slow progress in existing traits, however the additional trait should only be added if it is believed that it will optimise long term financial gains and or significantly reduce risk."