While carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane are all important greenhouse gases, for sheep producers the most important is methane. Methane is an inevitable by-product from the fermentation process when ruminants convert forage into meat we can consume, often on land unsuited to other forms of food production. The good news is there are already a number of ways that selective breeding can reduce the amount of methane produced by the flock relative to the amount of lamb produced.
Articles
Signet client survey
The results of a recent Signet survey show the value breeders place on the Signet service; 94% of breeders would recommend Signet’s performance recording services to other pedigree breeders.
Over 70% of Signet clients are also seeing improved financial returns through their involvement in performance recording; with Signet’s data helping them to reach new customers, price rams and improve on farm performance.
Neogen Support Creation of Charollais Genomic Archive
Charollais Sires have made semen available from 79 Charollais rams that were used within the former Sire Reference Scheme. These rams have produced over 13,700 Signet recorded progeny. A significant investment was required to genotype these animals. AHDB provided the initial funding and an extremely generous offer of support and in-kind sponsorship from Neogen enabled us to finish the job. By the close of 2021, we will have genotyped 30 rams on the leading 600K high density genotype and completed a 50K genotype on the remaining 49.
Recording Crossbred Sheep
Selling rams for breeding is all about genetics. In recent years, farmers have become more aware of the benefits of adapting breeds to meet the needs of their system. To help identify the best sheep to use for breeding, which will improve the following year’s lamb crop, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) have been produced.
This article explains how the Harding family developed the Aberblack; a modern, hybrid terminal sire.
New Signet Publication
By performance recording with Signet breeders can add value to their sheep enterprise in two ways, increasing ram sales and enhancing flock productivity.
In an era where livestock producers use genetic information to make informed decisions, it is important not to be left behind. Signet data gives ram buyers the confidence to invest in the best.
Whether you sell from home, auction or online, clearly it pays to record. Why wait? Join Signet today and start unlocking the potential of your flock.
BSAS article - Implications and fall out from Brexit on Animal Science
Jason Simms sat down with BSAS Vice-President Kim Matthews to discuss the implications and fallout as a result of Brexit on the animal science sector ...
North York Moors Swaledale Project completed
In 2017, a group of 6 North Yorkshire Swaledale breeders, with the help of AHDB Beef & Lamb, Signet Breeding Services and Kate Phillips, set out t ...
The JIGSAW of joint ill
Joint ill is one of the lambing challenges that exorcises both seasoned sheep farmers and vets alike. Sporadic in nature and caused by different combinations of reasons, it is a frustrating disease that a few people will tell you was particularly bad this year.
If you are a UK sheep farmer, regardless of whether you do or do not experience joint ill outbreaks, please do complete this survey https://liverpool.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/joint-ill-risk-factors-survey .
Considerations when scanning
Considerations when scanning Ultrasound scanning is an important service for those breeders wishing to enhance carcase quality through the use of mus ...
Cataloging Services for Beef Clients
As part of the developments associated with our new webpage listing cattle for sale, Signet clients can now generate their own sale catalogues.