HOW WE WORK
- Objective - to produce a ram which will offer a high yield of saleable lean meat.
- Formed in 1989, members use common (Reference) sires on 30 ewes within each flock for flocks over 50 ewes and 20 ewes for flocks under 50 ewes by AI to provide links between members.
- All lambs are weighed and scanned in the normal way within their own flocks. Once data has been collected and processed an EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) is available.
-
When members receive their EBV listings they are invited to select rams within specified parameters to be brought to the Ram Selection Day at Penrith. Here members judge the sheep solely on conformation and breed type. Ram semen is then purchased by the Scheme for use as Reference Sires in the following year through a democratic voting system.
GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERSHIP TO PREMIER SUFFOLK BREEDERS GROUP
- Must be registered with the Suffolk Sheep Society.
- Must complete all lamb vigour data and send in to the Society.
- Must record with MLC/Signet and back fat scan (ultrasound) ALL live lambs at 21 weeks
- Promote all members to CT scan
- Promote all members to Faecal Egg Count (FEC).
- Must be MV accredited.
COSTS
- A one-off joining fee of £750 followed by an annual membership fee
- An annual membership fee - this is at present £100 to cover administration costs
- Innovis manage the Scheme’s AI, and charge approximately £500 for 30 ewes, including visit fee (but you may choose any AI company you wish to do your flock).
- All prices quoted are plus V.A.T.
The Scheme is a company limited by guarantee and owned by the members.
