AHDB Signet Breeding News
Signet breeding news

We are living in unusual and challenging times, but the current situation with Coronavirus doesn’t mean recording has to stop. Breeders are advised to continue weight recording. The data collected will still provide a robust analysis and prove important in future analyses.


In March, the finishing touches were put to Signetdata.com, our new website. Online data entry is operational for both sheep and cattle and over 25 new online reports/services are now available. Remote access to breeding data is now easier than ever before.


We realise breeders need to explore new ways to market and sell breeding stock. New features have been added to the Signet website to enable breeders to list sheep or cattle for sale and create their own catalogues. New search engines enable producers to find their recorded herd or flock.


Our policy with regard ultrasound scanning is under constant review and general advice for farmers from AHDB can be found here. If we can provide further help, please get in touch.


Samuel Boon
Signet Breeding Manager

Samuel Boon, Animal Breeding Senior Manager (Signet) © Robert Smith
Latest news
Dorset Centurion sale - details now online

The Centurion sale of performance recorded Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn sheep that was scheduled for April had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus, but full sale entries can be found here for animals that will now be sold directly off farm. Contact Signet if you would like this in Catalogue format.

Read more >
Performance recording during the Coronavirus outbreak

Performance recording doesn’t stop with the Coronavirus outbreak. Data provided to Signet will be analysed as normal and EBVs will be produced. Currently the Signet team are unable to perform the on-farm scanning, but you can still submit scan weights for your animals.

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Finding beef data on the Signet website

Over the last 12 months, the online service for beef producers has been completely updated. On signetdata.com you can find all the performance data along with new online tools and reports.

Read more >
Learn how to easily access your own sheep reports and flock stationary

Signetdata now allows you to print off and access your own reports and stationery (forms) for performance recording. There are 25 new reports that you can use to help manage your flock and select the best sheep for breeding.

Read more >
Sad news - we say goodbye to Stewart Nellis

It is with great sadness that Signet shares the news that Stewart Nellist, a key member of Signet’s ultrasound scanning team for nearly a decade, passed away in February after a period of ill health. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with Stewart's friends and family at this dificult time.

Read more >

Where to find what you need on the Signet Database
Use the Sheep and Cattle for Sale page to market breeding stock

The Signet database now hosts pages to market your sheep and cattle, while simultaneously providing access to new cataloguing features. Consider using these new services to help to market your livestock in 2020. Raise awareness about the cattle and sheep that you have for sale by using the new services in conjunction with your own website, Facebook page or email contacts.

Sheep for sale

Cattle for sale

Create your own sale catalogues

A new cataloguing service launched on Signetdata.com means that Signet clients can now quickly and easily create their own sale catalogues for sheep and cattle. This may be the easiest way to email information to prospective clients in the coming year.

Anyone can find breed summaries online

Summary reports for all Signet recorded sheep and cattle breeds are now online and freely accessible. Commercial producers that are not Signet clients, can now access the latest breed benchmarks and listings for the leading youngstock and stock sires.

Sheep breeds

Cattle breeds

When do I send data? Find the schedule for this year’s evaluations

Check the latest deadline dates for beef and sheep, remembering that the Terminal Sire Evaluation is now run every month. Use these schedules to plan when to weigh your sheep or cattle and decide which timings suits you best.

Sheep deadlines

Cattle deadlines

Webinars
RamCompare fourth year results

Results from year four of the RamCompare project are nearly ready for release and will soon be posted on signetdata.com. Join us on Wednesday 13 May for the live results webinar. We will discuss results and examine how high index rams have improved the performance of RamCompare farms.

Register now >
Improve lamb survival through genetics

Increasing lamb survival in your flock will help improve flock profitability and welfare. Dr Forbes Brien, from University of Adelaide, looks at how farmers can enhance lamb survival in the; short, medium and long term. Whilst lamb survival can be improved by changing management, culling decisions and genetic selection, to create long term gain genetic improvement has an important role to play.

Watch now >
Managing an efficient sheep enterprise

Get top tips on how to run an efficient sheep enterprise from sheep farmer Duncan Nelless, from Thistleyhaugh Farm in Morpeth. Duncan covers a range of topics inlcuding changes he has made to his enterprise, grassland management, how to monitor physical and financial performance of the flock and advice for outdoor lambing.

Watch now >

Videos
Signet tutorial - how to log on

This video is specifically for clients of Signet Services to enable them to access their account and the information that is available to them.

Watch now >
Signet tutorial - recording lambing results

This video is for clients of Signet Services to demonstrate how they can use the database to record their lambing results.

Watch now >

What to do now
Enter your information online at signetdata.com

Go to signetdata.com to login, where you can use tools and reports to help you make the most of your genetics.

Get started >
Enter your lambing data

Lambing data can easily be added online. Follow the instructions on how to add your lambing data . Tip: when entering the ewe information, don’t forget to add the date of birth.

Get started >
Enter your eight-week weights

The eight-week weight is used to calculate both the lamb’s growth rate and the ewes milking ability. Lambs can be weighed between six and twelve weeks for the eight-week weight, ideally on one day. To find out the best dates to weigh your lambs use the online calculator.

Get started >
Enter your cattle weights online

When you log onto Signetdata.com, the database calculates when you next need to weigh your cattle. You can now enter your weights and calving information online.

Get started >
For more information

Head to the News and Home section of Signetdata.com

Contact us
The AHDB Beef & Lamb head office is based at:

AHDB Beef & Lamb
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Stoneleigh Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2TL

Telephone: 024 7669 2051
Email our head office
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© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2020.

All content is correct at the time of publication.