Ewe Mature Weight and Body Condition Score

Only a few maternal breeding programmes are selecting to optimise ewe efficiency by taking into account input costs over the ewe’s lifetime. Measurements of ewe mature size are needed if we are to create breeding values and breeding indexes that enable the selection of more efficient ewes. Modern approaches to electronic data capture enable producers to weigh ewes on a more regular basis and Signet has developed systems to capture this information. The Body Condition Score (BCS) of the ewe is important because it indicates her fatness/thinness at any given weight – and gives us more information than weight alone.

Work to determine the genetic parameters for these traits will start once sufficient data, ideally 3,000 (multiple) animal records per breed, has been collected. The sooner we can get the records the better!

It is quick and easy to make body condition score (BCS) assessments. For more information, and advice on “how to” body condition score, please see The Signet Guide to Breeding More Efficient Ewes

If you have any queries please contact Signet directly on 02476 478829, [email protected]