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Promoting sheep genetics
Katie Thorley
Thinking positively
Photo: Geoff Simm
Sheep genetics are incredibly versatile
…though bigger isn’t always best!
KT & KEPublicationsShows
R&D Markets and sales
Pedigree and commercial
Website
Events
R & D
• FEC & CT support
• Combined breed analysis for terminal sires
• Electronic data transfer
• Genetic analysis of longevity in sheep
• Genetics of trace element deficiencies
• iSAGE
• New CT EBVs
• RamCompare
Farm excellence platform
Ram MOT
• Purchase in time for
treatments
• Quarantine
• Events
Markets and sales
Website
Events on farm
Information at shows
…and we will write the results on the sheep if we have to……
Example: Interacting with industry
…and 200 days later
What next
Promote RamCompare results Combined breed analysis
Commercial & Pedigree
Split the breeding messages• Buying a terminal sire manual• Buying a maternal sire manual
CT carcase traits
Work with societies
KT & KE
Publications
Shows
R&D
Markets and sales
Video clips
Moving forward
Webinars
Pedigree and commercial
Website
Events
Consultation for SQQ
Standard Quality Quotation (SQQ)
Weight bands – do they reflect current market?
Short survey - markets tab then top left
http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/markets/consultation-prime-
lamb-reporting/
31st December 2017
www.ahdb.org.uk
‘Inspiring our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a
rapidly changing world’
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
Gwawr Medi Parry
Industry Development Officer
Swyddog Datblygu’r Diwydiant
HCC – Genetic Improvement
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
Historical GI Work
• Welsh Sheep Strategy
• Welsh Mountain Group
• Sire Reference Schemes
• Ram Vouchers
• EBV Workshops
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
CT Scanning
• 50% funding for PR breeders
• ~70 PR animals from Wales
• Mobile Scanner visits IBERS
• Increase
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
Cefin Pryce
• Performance Recording
• CT Scanning annually
• Huge benefits to genetic
improvement
• Increase accuracies and
confidence
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
37%
16%
47%
Yes, I have in the past but do not every
time
Yes, all my rams are from performance
recorded flocks
No, I have never purchased a
performance recorded ram
2016 Ram Survey
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
RamCompare
Hybu Cig Cymru
Meat Promotion Waleswww.hccmpw.org.uk
Future Plans
• Continue to:
»Advocate purchasing performance recorded stock
»Steer KT messages on the use of EBVs
• RamCompare Phase 2
• Encourage further funding for GI in the Welsh sheep sector
‘The aggregation of marginal gains!’
Communicating GeneticsQMS Plans for 2018
Emily Grant
Knowledge Transfer Specialist
Quality Meat Scotland
•Scotch
•BO
The Challenges
The Challenges
The Challenges
Ramfoozled by EBVs
CONFIDENCE!
How to Tackle
Need to Scotch the Myths
Need to help farmers identify their own BO
The Approach
Articles – Press
RamCompare results – Top Rams & CBA
RamCompare phase II
Publications
Update Exisiting
New?
The Approach
Events
Scotsheep 2018 – Ballantrae, Ayrshire
Monitor Farms?
EBV workshops –
linked with Live to Dead
Thank You
PROMOTING SHEEP GENETICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
PROJECT OFFICER
DR ELIZABETH EARLESHEEP BREEDERS ROUND TABLE 2017
Overview Northern Ireland sheep industry
AbacusBio review - Sheep genetic progress
Current research areas
Knowledge exchange activity
Presentation Outline
Northern Ireland Sheep Industry
⅓ of NI sheep farms account for
almost ¾ of the ewe flock
Independent Review - ABACUSBIO
Major potential to improve the rate of genetic gain
Main reasons for low levels of gain:
‒ Very low levels of performance recording (2-3% of rams from
recorded flocks)
‒ Focus on key performance traits – especially within terminal breeds
‒ Lack of focus on maternal traits
‒ Lack of integration of commercial data
‒ Poor understanding of estimated breeding values
Current value of rate of genetic gain in NI ‒ valued at £495,000 per year
Sheep Genetic Progress
Increased and improved phenotypes – data, data, data
Commercial data from progeny test initiatives – CPT flocks
Increased focus on maternal traits
Standardisation of recording protocols within UK and ROI
Progeny test demonstration schemes
Establish systems for collection/storage of DNA from select animals
Recommendations
Current Research Areas
Optimising grazing strategies for Lowland and Hill grazing
systems – GrassCheck
Evaluation of the effect of sire estimated breeding value for muscle and finishing diet on progeny performance and meat quality
Collation of phenotypic data:
– Feed intake
– Measures of net feed efficiency
– Meat quality
– Saleable meat yield
Farmer Engagement / Dissemination
NSA Events
Website & Social MediaFarm Walks
(Hillsborough/Loughgall)
Scientific peer-reviewed publications
Press Releases (local & national press)
Farmer Booklets
• Understand how to use the breeding indexes
• Have a good knowledge of the science behind the index
• See the benefits of the index at farm level
Farmer-Led ResearchMaking a Difference for Generations
Recommended