|
Latest news
|
| Breeding sheep to reduce methane emissions |
On Thursday 27 October, 12:00pm – 2:00pm, Join Dr Nóirín McHugh from Teagasc and Samuel Boon from AHDB for a new webinar. They will discuss how selective breeding can be used to reduce methane emissions in the national flock and why genetic solutions are so important in enhancing this aspect of sheep production.
Read more about the role of genetics in reducing methane emissions.
|
| Register now > |
|
|
| New weight recording initiative for Lincoln Red breeders |
The Lincoln Red Cattle Society have recently announced their intention to provide all their members with free access to Signet’s services.
As part of this new initiative with Signet, the Lincoln Red Cattle Society will fund the recording costs of any paid-up Society member; effectively removing the financial barrier that may have previously limited smaller herds from engaging in weight recording.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
| Sheep Breeders Round Table 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. Tickets and accommodation are still on sale with limited availability.
|
| Book now > |
|
|
| Breeding for parasite resistance – measuring IgA levels in blood serum |
Research at Glasgow University has shown the antibody response against the larval stages of Teladorsagia circumcincta can be used as a biological marker for host response to infection. High levels of IgA have been shown to reduce regulate both worm growth and fecundity, with heritability around 30%.
AHDB are currently funding work at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) to incorporate this data into future breeding programmes and deliver this service to Signet clients in 2022. There is also some funding available from AHDB to English flocks who are looking to undertake IgA testing this autumn and incorporate this date into breeding evaluations.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
| The role of Computed Technology when making breeding decisions |
Computed Tomography (CT) scanning is a great tool for identifying superior genetics within terminal sire flocks and can assist the marketing of recorded rams. CT is a welfare friendly way of assessing the total muscle, fat, and bone yield in a live sheep, where medical imaging technology produces pictures of the body using low dose X-rays.
Incorporating CT data into the evaluation of a flock greatly enhances the accuracy of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for growth and carcass traits, with EBVs and Indexes increasing if the data demonstrates that an individual animal or family are genetically superior. This allows breeders and buyers alike to have greater confidence in an animal’s breeding values.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
| RamCompare update |
We have had a busy summer collecting data from our nine commercial farms involved with RamCompare this season and it has been fun getting to know how our new farms operate as we have worked alongside them collecting 8-week weight and 12-week weight /ultrasound scanning data from their lambs.
This season we are collecting data from over 5,600 lambs, from around 95 different sires. Mating plans have been confirmed for the coming year and many rams now completed quarantine and being put out with ewes.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Signet Database
|
| Weigh your ewes this Autumn |
Ewe mature weight is important because although heavier ewes can produce faster growing lambs and are ultimately worth more as culls, they tend to be more expensive to feed and have to be run at a lower stocking density. Using genetic selection to breed more efficient ewes provides a great way to improve both the profitability and the environmental credentials of your farm.
Find out more
|
|
|
|
| Monitor your flock and herd progress |
Signet clients can produce genetic trends for their flock or herd for any of our measured traits and for rates of inbreeding. Click below to monitor your flock or herd's progress.
Sheep genetic trends
Beef genetic trends
|
|
|
|
| Finding and using reports effectively |
We have put together a series of tutorial videos to help you understand how to use and find information on the Signet data website.
In this session we will be looking at breed reports which give an overview of how to find the top performing animals within the breed and also the breed benchmarks which is useful for comparison and ranking animals.
Watch now
|
|
|
|
|
|
Useful manuals and articles
|
| How would Signet recording help your flock to stand out? |
How performance recording with Signet can benefit your flock.
|
| Read more> |
|
|
| Choosing bulls for Better Returns |
Breeding lies at the foundation of any beef production system and this manual highlights the importance of selecting superior parents for breeding which will lead to cumulative and permanent gains in herd productivity, profitability and efficiency.
|
| Read more> |
|
|
| The National Hill Sheep Evaluation |
This booklet explains how hill sheep producers can get involved with performance recording services and take their flock forward.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
| The National Maternal Sheep Evaluation |
This booklet provides an unbiased way to find those rams and ewes in the flock with the best genetic potential.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
| The National Terminal Sheep Evaluation |
The UK breeds sheep with world-leading terminal sire
genetics and has some of the best tools for measuring
and analysing sheep in the world.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
