RamCompare – Press Release 10 Jan 2018

RamCompare project open for pedigree nominations

Pedigree breeders have the opportunity to receive valuable information on their sires’ progeny by nominating rams and semen for use in the RamCompare project.

Animals which are involved in the project now have new estimated breeding values (EBVs) available covering carcase weight, fat and conformation. These EBVs can be used when marketing these rams.

In taking part, breeders will receive feedback on the performance of their rams for commercially relevant traits. RamCompare is the UK’s first commercial progeny test, using data from throughout the supply chain to inform genetic evaluations. It aims to enable the UK sheep industry to drive genetic improvement forward through the inclusion of commercial data in genetic evaluations.

Bridget Lloyd, RamCompare Project Coordinator, said: “This is a great opportunity for breeders to contribute to an important industry project while receiving useful information on their stock, which they can use to promote their rams.”

Alwyn Philips, pedigree breeder, said: “RamCompare provides a great way for flocks to benchmark performance in an unbiased, commercial environment. It also provides an alternative shop window to show customers what genetics really can do.”

For breeders who want to nominate semen, there is a minimum requirement of 30 doses for use via artificial insemination (AI). With the introduction of a unit at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Northern Ireland, the project team is also looking for Suffolk or Texel semen eligible for export. For semen with EU export status, 40 doses per ram is required.

For natural service sires, fit and fertile rams are required, with preference given to rams that are shearlings or older.

RamCompare is seeking rams and semen that meet the following criteria:

• EBVs in top 20 per cent of the breed
• Good history of performance records of the ram and its progeny (eg ultrasound scan, computed tomography (CT) data)
• Shearling in autumn 2018 or older
• Good and known health status and be from a Maedi Visna-accredited flock
• Come from a flock with good genetic linkage to other flocks
• Provide genetic diversity to the rams that have already been used in the RamCompare project
• Part of a Signet-recorded flock

 

Nominations are now open and close on 5 March 2018. For more information on requirements please contact [email protected].

Nominations can be made online using the following links:

Semen nominations: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Semenform

Ram nominations: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Ramform

For AHDB, the RamCompare farms are part the wider AHDB Farm Excellence Platform, which inspires industry to improve performance and succeed through farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange.

The preliminary results of the project are also available on the project website.

– Ends –
Notes to editors

RamCompare is an industry-led project involving partners from along the supply chain:

• AgriSearch
• AHDB
• Dunbia
• Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC)
• Quality Meat Scotland
• Randall Parker Foods
• Sainsbury’s

 

AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain. Its purpose is to equip levy payers with independent, evidence-based information and tools to grow, become more competitive and sustainable. Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, it supports the following industries: meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; and cereals and oilseeds in the UK. AHDB’s remit covers 72 per cent of total UK agricultural output. Further information on AHDB can be found at www.ahdb.org.uk

Contact

For further information contact Emma Heathcote, AHDB Marcomms Executive Beef & Lamb on 024 7647 8636 or [email protected]

@AHDB_BeefLamb

YouTube

beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk