New breeding values for abattoir traits to improve ram selection
25th April 2023
With the aim of improving the choice of top-performing rams throughout the UK, AHDB’s Signet Breeding Services have launched new breeding values for abattoir traits, which will form an integral part of the National Terminal Sire Evaluation going forward.
Through multi-breed genetic analysis, the National Terminal Sire Evaluation helps ram breeders and commercial ram buyers to identify sheep with the best genetics for growth and carcase traits.
As part of the program, over 20 Estimated Breeding Value (EBVs) are analysed each month, using data from a range of sources including ultrasound scanning and Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, which have significantly enhanced carcase attributes over the last 30 years.
With the inclusion of abattoir records for analysis within the National Terminal Sire Evaluation, AHDB hopes to increase the impact of RamCompare by improving the overall accuracy of data.
RamCompare identifies top-performing rams in the UK by demonstrating the extent to which a lamb’s value at the abattoir is influenced by its sire’s genetics. During seven breeding seasons, the project has recorded over 38,500 lambs sired by 400 rams, using both artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating.
The addition of abattoir traits coincides with the launch of a new economic index, ‘Lamb Value’, which has been developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to identify the most valuable terminal sires based on their breeding values for abattoir traits.
Lamb Value takes into account the value of increasing carcase weights and conformation at an optimum level of finish, but also factors in the savings made via reducing days to slaughter, an element that is often overlooked.
A publication explaining these developments will be available at the National Sheep Association (NSA) regional events, namely Sheep South West, North Sheep and Welsh Sheep.
AHDB board member and Meatlinc breeder George Fell commented: “The inclusion of abattoir data into the industry’s genetic evaluations will take our analyses to a new level of accuracy, providing better predictions of genetic merit for those traits on which commercial producers are paid.
“This is a major step that will increase the value returned to those levy payers investing in performance recorded genetics,” he added.
Meanwhile, AHDB’s breeding specialist Samuel Boon, also pleased by the developments, reminded breeders that RamCompare is not the only sources of abattoir data available.
“Many farmers already send in additional abattoir data to supplement the analysis, which now includes nearly 4,000 Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn carcase records. Interest in this area is increasing considerably and the RamCompare project demonstrates its value,” he added.
RamCompare releases year seven results in online webinar
Each year, RamCompare’s progeny test results are released as an industry webinar with stakeholders in attendance from across the breeding industry to keep abreast with new developments and find out the current year’s leading sires for carcase weight, conformation and days to slaughter.
During the online event, producers will not only learn which ranked highly within the project, but will also be able to view which breeding lines currently lead their breed of interest.
The 2023 webinar will take place on Thursday 11th May and free tickets can be booked online on the AHDB website.
RamCompare is a joint-levy funded project supported by AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The project is also supported by Agrisearch in Northern Ireland and works with partners across the food chain.
For more information, please visit www.ramcompare.com
