Comments from Universities, Colleges and the M.L.C.
"Future viable sheep enterprises will be focussed on delivering a return/ unit labour. Increasing scale alone will not be sufficient, but must be accompanied by simpler and less labour intensive management systems. Sheep genetics have a major role in providing both reduced labour through selection for easier care traits and reduced costs through increased productivity.
Many sheep breeders, such as the members of sire reference schemes, have invested significantly in genetic improvement since the early 1990's. Through the continual improvement obtained by these schemes, the breeders are now in a strong position to meet market demands for high genetic merit rams.
The main attributes of high genetic merit rams are:
- Lambs are younger when they meet market target weights so production costs are reduced; they have lower feed requirements; health and management demands are lower; farm resources are freed up for other activities.
- Lambs with better breeding potential for leanness and muscling are more likely to meet market specifications.
- Lambs can be taken to heavier weights, without becoming over fat.
- Lambs with superior breeding potential can be managed in a more flexible way to meet different markets
- Maternal traits can be enhanced in female replacements
Commercial lamb producers can source future stock rams from these flocks with confidence, fully aware that many years of research has shown that they are purchasing a ram capable of producing more profitable lambs".
Steven Johnston, Greenmount College
"Performance recording enables breeders to enhance the breeding potential of their flock and add real value to the rams they sell to commercial producers. With benefits of up to £3 a lamb attributable to the use of high performing sires there has never been a better time for commercial producers to invest in superior genetics".
Sam Boon, Signet Breeding Services Improvement
"It is now well-established that performance recording achieves real benefits for commercial lamb producers. The Suffolk Sire Reference Scheme has adopted the most rigorous system of performance recording; by creating genetic links between flocks EBVs and indexes are more reliable and truly comparable across flocks. As a result of years of commitment, the SSRS flocks are now among the best in their breed".
Gert Nieuwhof, Senior Geneticist, Meat & Livestock Commission
"Extensive trials at the Scottish Agricultural College have shown that high indexed rams produce progeny that are worth at least £2 per head more than an average rams progeny. As one ram produces on average 250-300 offspring in its lifetime an extra £500-£600 can be earned as a direct result of using superior genetics".
Dr. Geoff Simm, S.A.C., Edinburgh.
