AHDB Signet Breeding News
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We have had a busy couple of months attending events, sales and on farm visits across the UK and enjoying getting together with breeders. There are plenty more events lined up for the rest of the summer months.

Performance recorded sheep have continued to achieve strong sale prices through the auction ring. This was highlighted at the Dorset sales in Exeter and the Hampshire Down Sale in Shrewsbury. 

Collecting RamCompare data on farm is always one of our favourite activities to see how the lambs are performing across the country, collecting ultrasound scanning data and discussing future mating plans with farmers. We are hoping to hold a couple of open days at RamCompare farms later in the summer and look forward to welcoming you to these.

Continuing the RamCompare theme we have now closed this year’s ram nominations and would like to take this opportunity to thank breeders for the continued support in the project. It won’t be long before rams will be entering quarantine units ahead of the 2023 breeding season.

Latest news
RamCompare year six results announced

RamCompare’s year six results demonstrate how rams with key breeding traits can optimise flock profitability. In four case studies flock profitability was enhanced by £1.98 to £5.17 per lamb; with some rams producing lambs that finished several weeks earlier than others.

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Recorded sheep shine through at Dorset May Fair sale 2022

The Dorset May Fair continued to follow the positive start from the Dorset Centurion sale for performance recording breeders that took place at Exeter earlier in the month. Topping the recorded sheep at 3400gns, a ram from David and Richard Rossiter’s Huish flock, lot 165 A26:E22345, with figures in the top 10% for terminal sire index and top 5% for maternal index.

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Pioneering work shows genetic traits make lambs more attractive to consumers

RamCompare year six results have continued to show the correlation between Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in terminal sires and commercial productivity in lambs. Signet’s Shear Force research has also proven that the animal’s genes do influence tenderness and that measurements of tenderness can be used to produce breeding values.

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Sheep Breeders Roundtable returns to face to face conference

Following two years of covid restrictions which led to 2021’s online format, the Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) are delighted to be back delivering their popular in-person conference this November.
This year’s theme will be ‘UK sheep genetics delivering for the nation’ and the event takes place from Friday 11 - Sunday 13 November 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at East Midlands Airport.

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Signet database
Adding sheep for sale and creating catalogues

Signet Tutorial Video: Sheep for Sale and Catalogues

Calculating inbreeding values

Signet Tutorial Video: Calculating Inbreeding Values

How to enter beef data electronically

Online data entry for Signet's beef clients

Manuals/Useful articles
Our best guide for commercial flock productivity

Commercial producers are seeing the benefits of looking deeper into an animal’s background before purchase and utilising data to make informed decisions rather than buying on looks alone. Many buyers are seeking high index terminal sires to improve their farm’s profitability; improving carcase conformation, reducing days to slaughter and increasing the value of the lambs sold.

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Using technology to breed lambs with more muscle

To meet the needs of the commercial producer, ram breeders must select rams with the right carcase attributes, and this can be aided using EBVs to identify genetically superior animals. To assess muscling in the live animal, breeders can utilise measurement services such as ultrasound scanning and Computed Tomography (CT) scanning within their breeding programmes to find the best animals and make informed decisions

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Webinars and podcasts
Catch up on RamCompare year six results webinar

RamCompare year six results

AHDB Food & Farming podcast

Using EID and collecting data (audioboom.com)

Events
CT scanning

The latest CT scanning dates and locations can be found here

NSA Sheep Event

Come and see us on the AHDB stand at the NSA Sheep Event 27 July 2022 at Three Counties show ground

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Sheep Breeders Round Table

Taking place 11-13 November 2022. Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport, Derby DE74 2TZ

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Act now

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For more information head to the SIgnet website

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
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© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2022.

All content is correct at the time of publication.