Computed Tomography
CT provides a welfare friendly way of assessing the total muscle, fat and bone yield in a live sheep. This near perfect predictor of carcase composition can also be used to measure the muscling in different parts of the carcase, such as the rib, loin and gigot.
Why CT scan?
- CT scanning will increase the accuracy of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) produced for growth and carcase traits.
- Where CT measures prove an individual or family to be genetically superior their indexes and EBVs will increase.
- CT images can be used to assist the marketing of recorded rams.
CT Scanning Dates and Locations for 2020
CT Scan Charges
CT scan charges are normally subsidised by the relevant bodies in England, Scotland and Wales.
Unsubsidised charges are as follows:
- Edinburgh – £70/lamb
- Mobile Site – £97/lamb
The subsidy will apply to male lambs only and will be for a minimum of 5 lambs per flock, with a selection of sires represented. Please note their have been changes to CT subsidy for 2019.
AHDB
AHDB are keen to support breeders that wish to use SRUC’s CT scanning service and in 2019 we will launch six new breeding values for CT derived traits to add more value to the measurements collected. However, due to budgetary constraints across AHDB’s programme of research activity, we are much more limited this year in the amount of support that we can provide to individual breeders.
In our attempt to be fair to all ram breeders, we will continue to offer the same level of support (£55/lamb), but we will be restricting funding to a maximum of 8 ram lambs per flock. Funding in 2019 will also be restricted to those breeds included in the new Terminal Sire Breeding Evaluation.
As in previous years, the subsidy is only available to fully recorded ram lambs. It is recommended that flocks send a minimum of 5 lambs per flock, with a selection of sires represented.
QMS
QMS will fund 50% of per lamb cost to a maximum of 15 lambs/flock or 10 lambs per flock where a breeder is scanning multiple flocks.
HCC (TBC)
Awaiting confirmation but expected to be the same as QMS.
The SRUC CT unit are more than happy to scan additional lambs for any flock, so please do discuss your requirements with Kirsty McLean; email: [email protected] or telephone: 0131 535 3250 / 3251
Are your lambs eligible for CT scanning and the relevant subsidy?
- A minimum of 5 lambs from each flock is required to allow evaluations to be as accurate as possible.
- Only male lambs are eligible for subsidy but we are happy to scan both males and females
- Lambs must be starved for a minimum of 4 hours before scanning
- Ideally lambs should be back-fat scanned before they come for CT
- Lambs should be around 17 – 24 weeks of age at CT scanning. Younger lambs must be well grown (around 40kg)
- Mobile sites have been booked for a minimum of 2 days at each session. We must have 50 lambs per day, booked in for scanning, to enable a session to go ahead
- Lambs withdrawn 10 days before the scan date will be charged at the full unsubsidised rate
To book your place, or to enquire about CT scanning your lambs, contact Kirsty McLean
Tel: 0131 535 3250 / 3251 Email: [email protected]
Click here to read the latest leaflet from SRUC detailing the CT scanning services they offer both in Edinburgh and with their new mobile scanning unit.
CT provides a welfare friendly way of assessing the total muscle, fat and bone yield in a live sheep. This near perfect predictor of carcase composition can also be used to measure the muscling in different parts of the carcase, such as the rib, loin and gigot.
Why CT scan your lambs?
- CT scanning will increase the accuracy of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) produced for growth and carcase traits.
- Where CT measures prove an individual or family to be genetically superior their indexes and EBVs will increase.
- CT images can be used to assist the marketing of recorded rams.
CT Scanning Dates and Locations for 2023
| 17th - 21st April | Edinburgh |
| 27th - 28th April | Stratford Upon Avon |
| 15th - 19th May | Edinburgh |
| 25th - 26th May | Possibly Stratford or Skipton as a new site if breeders are keen. Contact the CT unit if interested |
| 14th - 19th June | Edinburgh |
| 29th - 30th June | Stratford Upon Avon |
| 24th - 28th July | Edinburgh |
| 14th - 18th August | Edinburgh |
| 23rd - 24th August | Aberystwyth |
| 11th - 15th September | Edinburgh |
Please note that the mobile scanner will be provisionally booked for these dates but, as usual, we need to have a minimum of 100 lambs over 2 days for each scanning session with the mobile scanner. Numbers at Edinburgh are more flexible. Please note, any eligible breed can be scanned on any of the dates above providing SRUC is notified in advance. Contact Kirsty McLean to enquire Email: [email protected]
CT Scan Charges
CT scan charges are normally subsidised by the relevant bodies in England, Scotland and Wales.
Unsubsidised charges are as follows:
- Edinburgh – £85/lamb
- Mobile Site – £115/lamb
Lambs withdrawn within 10 days of the scan date will be charged at the full unsubsidised rate.
AHDB funding in England in 2023
AHDB are keen to support performance recording flocks based in England that wish to use SRUC’s CT scanning service.
AHDB will provide a support payment to SRUC of £55/lamb to support CT scanning services. Breeders can chose to take their lambs to Edinburgh or go to one of the mobile venues set up by SRUC.
Eligibility for CT support is as follows:
- Funding is only available for ram lambs
- Each lamb must be fully performance recorded (with an 8 week and scan weight held on file) and with known parents
- Breeders must send a minimum of 5 ram lambs per flock (with a selection of sires represented); funding is limited to a strict maximum of 8 lambs per flock.
- Funding in 2023 will be restricted to the following breeds; Beltex, Blue Texel, Charollais, Dutch Spotted, Hampshire Down, Meatlinc, Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk and Texel
- Breeders must be based in England
New AHDB criteria for Signet recorded CT scanned lambs in 2023
In 2023 AHDB are placing an additional criteria on breeders that wish to receive funding for CT scanning, which is that CT scanned lambs that are performance recorded with Signet must be genotyped (using a 50K genotype).
AHDB will support breeders in getting this done, including the provision of additional funding towards genotyping costs.
- For Charollais breeders – please genotype your sheep through your Breed Society. Genotyping costs will be covered by AHDB.
- For Suffolk and Hampshire Down breeders, please genotype through your Breed Society; £20/sample will be provided to contribute towards genotyping costs.
- For other breeds, unless breeders have access to alternative methods of blood/tissue sampling, we will ask the CT unit to take nasal swabs at CT scanning time. AHDB will decide which animals they wish to genotype and where genotyped, AHDB will cover the genotyping cost. There is no AHDB requirement for Texel sheep to be genotyped.
AHDB funded genotypes will be shared with Breed Societies where data sharing agreements are in place and may represent a cost saving for those breeders that are required to genotype future stock rams. Contact Signet if you have any queries regarding genotyping.
HCC funding in Wales in 2023
In 2023 HCC will pay 50% of the CT cost per ram lamb with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 lambs per business/flock. The breeders must be based in Wales.
QMS funding in Scotland in 2023
In 2023 QMS will pay for 50% of the CT cost per ram lamb with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 lambs per flock/business. The breeders must be based in Scotland.
The SRUC CT unit are more than happy to scan additional lambs for any flock, so please do discuss your requirements with Kirsty McLean; email: [email protected] or telephone: 0131 535 3250 / 3251
Are your lambs eligible for CT scanning and the relevant subsidy?
- A minimum of 5 lambs from each flock is required to allow evaluations to be as accurate as possible.
- Only male lambs are eligible for subsidy but we are happy to scan both males and females
- Lambs must be starved for a minimum of 4 hours before scanning
- Ideally lambs should be back-fat scanned before they come for CT and a selection of sires should be represented in the group of lambs you bring for CT scanning.
- Lambs should be around 40kg weight at CT
- Mobile sites have been booked for a minimum of 2 days at each session. We must have 50 lambs per day, booked in for scanning, to enable a session to go ahead
- Lambs withdrawn within 10 days of the scan date will be charged at the full unsubsidised rate
To book your place, or to enquire about CT scanning your lambs, contact Kirsty McLean
Tel: 0131 535 3250 / 3251 Email: [email protected]
Click here to read the latest leaflet from SRUC detailing the CT scanning services they offer both in Edinburgh and with their new mobile scanning unit.