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Electronic data

The Signet Sheepbreeder service has the facility to accept data in an electronic format. Supplying data in this format enables results to be uploaded directly to the database, reducing operator error and enabling results to be processed faster.

This approach is particularly useful for larger flocks and those breeders with their own on-farm software.

The following files can be submitted to Signet

File specification for sending sheep records to Signet in an electronic format (Version 15. 22nd December 2020)
1). Animal Records (to include new lambs) - Template

For data to be uploaded it needs to be supplied in the exact format shown below. There are over 30 fields in total, but only 10 are compulsory and many fields (such as ET recipient or Breed) will have a standard replicated entry.

These notes assume records will be sent using an Excel spreadsheet or csv file.

User notes:

  • All sheep records must have a Flockbook number. We strongly recommend UK born animals born since 1st January 2000 also have a UK Ministry Tag provided. 
  • Sire and dam identities need to match Signet records exactly; extra or missing, spaces or dashes within ear number fields will cause records to be rejected.
  • If you need to check the Signet recognised UK number or Flockbook Number for a sire or dam known to Signet, please check it using “Quick Search” on the Signet website 
  • Flock Code – is the part of the Flockbook Number that indicates the holding. For animal “ABC:N0001” the Flock Code will be “ABC”.
  • Sires and dams must be no more than 16 years older than their progeny
  • Sires and dams must be at least 200 days older than their progeny
  • Although Prefixes and Names of up to 50 characters can be used, long IDs should be avoided as they may create reporting problems
  • Breed Name and Breed Code – use exact Signet recognised breed name. Breed code details attached
  • Where a sire or dam is not known to Signet, the parent’s details should be supplied as a separate record. This approach allows multi-generational pedigrees to be uploaded.
  • The Constituent Breed/Sixteenths of Breed column can be left blank and these will be assigned based on the parents breed make up. If Breed 16ths are assigned, the four sixteenths of breed boxes must equal 16.

 

File specification for animal records

The list shows the exact field name to be used, followed by any notes relating to the expected content.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
ELECTRONIC ID Format 8260FFFFFFAAAAA, where F = Flock number and A = Animal number
UKMINISTRYTAG Format UK 0 123456 12345 or UK 123456 12345  (older sheep)
FLOCKBOOK NUMBER Traditionally the flockbook number is a flock code, year identifier and an individual number. Flockbook number can be the same as the UK Ministry Tag.  Must be between 5 -17 characters. 
DATE OF BIRTH Must be in format: DD/MM/YYYY or DDMMYYYY or DD-MM-YYYY
SEX M, F or C
BORN AS 1,2,3,4,5,6 or N/A
PREFIX Between 1 and 50 characters
NAME Between 1 and 50 characters
BIRTH WEIGHT Value between 1-10kg
LAMBING EASE 1,2,3,4 ,5 or 6. Leave blank for unknown. See scores
STATUS LIVE, DEAD or SOLD
OWNER FLOCK CODE Flock code of owner
FLOCK CODE Flock code of breeder. "-" if unknown.
BREED Breed Name
GENETIC DAM ID Flockbook Number / UK Ministry Number must exist in database. For Blank put "-"
SIRE ID Flockbook Number / UK Ministry Number must exist in database. For Blank put "-"
SERVICE TYPE NS, AI, ET or Blank ( For Natural Service, Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer, Unknown)
SERVICE DATE Must be in format: DD/MM/YYYY or DDMMYYYY or DD-MM-YYYY
RECIPIENTDAMID Flockbook Number / UK Ministry Number must exist in database
CONSTITUENT_BREED_ONE Numeric breed code
SIXTEENTHSOFBREED_ONE Number 1-16 (or blank)
CONSTITUENT_BREED_TWO Numeric breed code
SIXTEENTHSOFBREED_TWO Number 1-16 (or blank)
CONSTITUENT_BREED_THREE Numeric breed code
SIXTEENTHSOFBREED_THREE Number 1-16 (or blank)
CONSTITUENT_BREED_FOUR Numeric breed code
SIXTEENTHSOFBREED_FOUR Number 1-16 (or blank)
FOSTERED N = No, Y = Yes, known foster ewe, U = Unknown foster ewe, A = Artificially reared, 
FOSTERDAMID Flockbook Number / UK Ministry Number must exist in database
DATEFOSTERED Must be in format: DD/MM/YYYY or DDMMYYYY or DD-MM-YYYY

 

2). 8 Week Weight Records - Template

Signet asks clients to weigh lambs between 6 and 12 weeks of age to achieve an adjusted 8 week weight.

Clients can assign lambs to up to 9 different management groups (using values between 1 and 9) – where lambs have been reared under different conditions.

However – clients should not simply allocate lambs to different groups if they have been in different fields (but similar management) – as this splits the size of the contemporary groups being analysed and can reduce our ability to pick up true genetic variation amongst lambs that have been reared in different places, but under similar management.

User notes:

  • All weight records must be reported against an animal identity. Flockbook numbers and UK ministry numbers need to match Signet records exactly – extra or missing spaces or dashes within the UK ear number field will cause records to be rejected.
  • Weight should be measured in kilogrammes, ideally to the nearest 0.1kg
  • Each animal weight record must be assigned to a management group.
  • Only one weight record per animal can be uploaded.
  • Lambs weighed under 42 days and after 84 days of age won't get an adjusted weight. Younger lambs will need to be reweighed. 

 

File specification for 8 week weight file

The list shows the exact field name to be used, followed by any notes relating to the expected content.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
SHEEP ID UK Ministry number in the format UK 0 123456 12345 or Flockbook number
SEX M, F, C
BREED Breed name
8 WEEK WEIGHT IN KG Weight to nearest 0.5kg
8 WEEK WEIGH DATE DD/MM/YYYY
MANAGEMENT GROUP Numeric code 1-9
3. Shearling Weights - Template

Signet asks clients to weigh shearling ewes prior to mating. This pre-tupping weight is used to calculate Mature Size EBVs.

Any shearling ewes that have already lambed should be placed into a separate management group to those that have not.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
SHEEP ID UK Ministry number in the format UK 0 123456 12345 or Flockbook number
SEX M, F, C
BREED Breed name
WEIGHT Weight to nearest 0.5kg
WEIGH DATE DD/MM/YYYY
MANAGEMENT GROUP Numeric code 1-9
4. Mature Ewe Weights - Template

Signet asks clients to weigh mature ewes prior to mating and at weaning. 

Any ewes that have been managed differently should be placed into separate management groups.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
SHEEP ID UK Ministry number in the format UK 0 123456 12345 or Flockbook number
SEX M, F, C
BREED Breed name
MATURE WEIGHT Weight to nearest 0.5kg
MATURE WEIGH DATE DD/MM/YYYY
MANAGEMENT GROUP Numeric code 1-9
5. Ewe Body Condition Scores - Template

Where clients are Body Condition Scoring their flock, Signet asks that the data is provided for future research and analysis. Any ewes that have been managed differently should be placed into separate management groups.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
SHEEP ID UK Ministry number in the format UK 0 123456 12345 or Flockbook number
SEX M, F, C   We only expect values for females
BREED Breed name
SYSTEM VARIABLE CODE S501 (Which means "Body Condition Score")
MEASUREMENT Values 0.5 to 5 (to nearest half score)
MEASUREMENT DATE DD/MM/YYYY
MANAGEMENT GROUP Numeric code 1-9

 

6. Census (to change the status of animals and to retag animals) - Template

Signet enables clients to retag breeding stock – or to add UK numbers to animals already known with another ID in the Flockbook Number field.

This input can also be used to sell off large numbers of ewes that are no longer active in the flock. This is done by changing their status.

Exact Field Name Data to go into the field
SHEEP ID UK Ministry number in the format UK 0 123456 12345 or Flockbook number
SEX M, F, C
BREED Breed name
DATE OF BIRTH DD/MM/YYYY
NEW ANIMAL STATUS LIVE, DEAD, SOLD
DATE OF DEATH DD/MM/YYYY
FATING CODE The following are accepted fating codes. ACCIDENT, DAM HAD MASTITIS, DYSTOCIA, FAILED TO SUCK, HYPOTHERMIA, INFECTION, JOINT ILL, LAID ON, MALFORMATION, PARASITE, PASTURELLA, PNEUMONIA, PREDATION, PREMATURE, STARVATION, STILL BORN, UNKNOWN, WATERY MOUTH, ON BACK, BLOAT