Join AHDB’s Signet Breeding Manager Sam Boon along with Dr Geoff Pollott from the Royal Veterinary College on Monday 16 August 2021 for a unique insight as to how our sheep industry has changed over the past 50 years. The Sheep Breed Survey results describe the breed structure of the British sheep industry at mating in 2020 and are based on data derived from a postal questionnaire sent to the 38,000 wool producers registered with British Wool in England, Scotland and Wales.
Sheep
A successful Charollais Sale for performance recorded breeders
There was a great selection of performance recorded Charollais rams on sale at the Premier Sale at Worcester. 43% of the rams on offer were performanc ...
Using Performance Recording in crossbred ram breeding
Ram breeding provides the genetics to increase the productivity of your customer’s flock. Performance recording means you can select and market the sheep with the most profitable genetics. Recording crossbred rams uses the same process as a pedigree flock, but you should consider:
Dorset May Fair 2021
The Dorset May Fair makes a positive start for performance recording breeders as the sale season gets underway. There are great levels of performance recording in the Dorset breed...
Innovis to support Signet scanning services
From 1st June, Innovis have kindly agreed to provide ultrasound scanning services for Signet clients in those regions previously covered by Philip Evans.
Innovis already provide a Signet accredited scanning service as part of the Hill Ram Scheme which is running in Wales - with plans to scan over 50 large hill flocks over the coming months. By extending their team, they will partner with Signet for the rest of the season to provide scanning services to our clients.
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.
RamCompare results 2021
Join us at 7pm on Thursday 20th May to hear the latest results from RamCompare and our plans for the future
To sign up head to the AHDB website https://ahdb.org.uk/events/ramcompare-five-year-results
RamCompare - Phase III Opportunities Announced
New rams and farms sought as RamCompare Phase III funding announced
Improving efficiency and reducing costs are both key drivers for any business. But for sheep breeders involved with the RamCompare project, investing in a ram with the right genetic merit for their system has proved to tick both boxes.
After the initial five years of research, funding has now been confirmed to allow the third phase of the project to get underway later this year.
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.