What is to be gained from using a recorded ram?

The Centurion group of Dorset breeders have been involved in performance recording and research for more than 50 years. The cumulative and permanent change this creates in the breed, means that over time the improvements made in recorded flocks benefit the whole breed.

Breeders have access to a range of tools to assess performance and this is combined with pedigree information as part of Signet’s routine genetic evaluations. Using a statistical analysis, we can distinguish between genetic and non-genetic influences upon performance to identify the sheep with the best genetics.

Signet produces Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) using this information, enabling breeders to make informed breeding decisions to continue their genetic advancement. In recent years rates of gain have increased massively, as new approaches have enabled breeders to make better breeding decisions, with the recent launch of breeding values derived from abattoir data an important next step for the breed.

Case Study: Recorded rams delivering growth

A quick look at the genetic trends for Dorset lambs that have been sired by recorded and non-recorded rams shows the consistent gains being achieved from selecting recorded rams on the basis of their EBVs.

Significant progress has been made in improving the growth rate of Dorset lambs using high genetic merit recorded rams in the breeding programme, Dorset lambs in the recorded population now have the genetic potential to be 6kg heavier at scanning time (around 15-17 weeks) then lambs born in the early 2000s. The quality of unrecorded sires has increased too, in part due to the movement of some of the best recorded rams into these flocks and some good unrecorded rams are found each year through progeny testing; but it is a gamble and on average we observe that the lambs by unrecorded sires have genetic potential to be 2kg lower than those by recorded rams – a difference that is getting wider each year.

So why gamble? If you want to finish lambs more quickly, buy a ram with performance records to help guarantee his performance.

Scan Weight EBV trends

Posted by Laura Eyles on 21 Sep 2023

News, Sheep, Articles

About the author

Laura Eyles

Laura has joined the Signet team as a breeding specialist, she comes from an agricultural background having grown up on a sheep farm in Cornwall, where they keep commercial ewes and run a small flock of pedigree Charollais sheep.

Laura has a strong interest in animal breeding and genetics having studied Animal Science (BSc Hons) at Harper Adams University. During her time at Harper, she spent an industrial placement in Cumbria working for a sheep breeding company and some of our clients may recognise her from this role. Since graduating she has worked for a large cattle breeding company before joining us at Signet to lead on a number of Signet’s sheep breeding projects.