Presentation. 1. Signet overview 2. Combined Breed Analysis 3. RamCompare 4. Raucous applause

Transcription

1 Signet Update

2 Presentation 1. Signet overview 2. Combined Breed Analysis 3. RamCompare 4. Raucous applause

3 Signet Role Provide genetic evaluations to sheep and beef producers to identify animals with superior breeding potential. Enables the industry to capitalise on genetic improvement

4 Signet Activities 1. Performance Recording Services Sheep Cattle (those that need us) 2. Knowledge transfer relating to Breeding and Genetics 3 Research and development RamCompare & Beef Feed Efficiency

5 Beef Recording Breedplan Aberdeen Angus Beef Shorthorn British Blue Charolais Devon Hereford Saler Simmental South Devon Welsh Black Signet British Blonde Highland Lincoln Red Red Poll Stabiliser Sussex Luing (Pilot) Longhorn (Pilot) Direct (Same Signet Approach) Limousin

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8 Communication

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10 Want to learn more about EBVs? Try the new EBLEX on-line training package

11 Where next for Terminal Sire Recording? Combined Breed Analysis

12 Performance recording has been a great success... High rates of genetic gain for growth and carcase traits

13 Success Breeders are using EBVs to add value to ram sales Increase in demand for recorded rams Commercial understanding is increasing (but still a long way to go) Number of flocks recording is limited and hence industry impact could be higher

14 Challenges Breeding Values are getting bigger... Is it time to rebase?

15 Challenges Breeders are looking for more regular BLUP information 3 runs a year is limiting More crossbred animals and crossbred flocks are looking for useful EBVs Current BLUP solutions are limited

16 Index / EBV Current approach

17 Index / EBV Current approach Charollais Suffolk Texel Meatlinc

18 Index / EBV Across breed approach Charollais Suffolk Texel Meatlinc

19 Combined breed evaluations What are other people doing? UK Dairy Evaluations Everyone in one pot, but breeds reported separately Lambplan Combined runs for Merino + Rest Sheep Ireland (future?) SIL Central Progeny Test ICBF Beef in Ireland Starting with a simple approach doesn t preclude more advanced solutions in the future

20 Advantages (potentially) More regular EBV updates More efficient use of money to produce EBVs More accurate EBVs for crossbreds Greater accuracy values for all Clearer message for commercial producers Even greater interest in top end genetics

21 Independence Within breed rankings remain EBVs across breeds Need to look at breed specific indexes Breed specific genetic group solutions For those not interested in other breeds not really an issue business as usual

22 Summary Results from research on Combined Breed Analysis to be released at November 2015 SBRT With a view to introducing service in 2016

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24 Experimental design RamCompare is aiming to establish a commercial progeny test for terminal sire breeds Data will enable a comparison of the commercial performance of progeny by genetically different rams

25 RamCompare Project runs for two breeding seasons Starts May 2015 Commercial progeny testing Six flocks across GB Using AI and single sire mating Testing 67 rams over two years Texel, Suffolk, Charollais, Meatlinc and Hampshire Down Balanced across top 20% for carcase traits Aims Use commercially collected data in genetic evaluations Could help validate Combined Breed Analysis

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27 RamCompare Partnership AHDB Beef and Lamb, HCC, QMS, Agrisearch Sainsbury s EBVC, ABSustain Dunbia, Randall Parker Foods EGENES Allflex, Shearwell, SAC SGHS, Novartis

28 Trial design 120 ewes to AI for four rams 30 ewes per sire 200 ewes to natural service for five rams 40 ewes per sire Farms will use Suffolk, Texel and Charollais and either Meatlinc or Hampshire Down High degree of replication between farms / years

29 Predicted number of lambs per ram 30 ewes to AI Conception rate 60% Rear 1.4 lambs/ewes 25 lambs per sire 40 ewes to natural service Conception rate 90% Rear 1.4 lambs/ewes 50 lambs per sire

30 Year 1 Ewes Farm A Farm B Farm C Farm D Farm E Farm F AI 30 AI:S1 AI:S1 AI:S1 AI:S2 AI:S2 AI:S2 AI 30 AI:T1 AI:T2 AI:T1 AI:T2 AI:T1 AI:T2 AI 30 AI:C1 AI:C1 AI:C2 AI:C1 AI:C2 AI:C2 AI 30 AI:M1 AI:H1 AI:M1 AI:H1 AI:M1 AI:H1 Natural Service 40 NS:S4 NS:S5 NS:S6 NS:S7 NS:S8 NS:S9 Natural Service 40 NS:T4 NS:T5 NS:T6 NS:T7 NS:T8 NS:T9 Natural Service 40 NS:C4 NS:C5 NS:C6 NS:C7 NS:C8 NS:C9 Natural Service 40 NS:M3 NS:H3 NS:M4 NS:H4 NS:M5 NS:H5 Natural Service * 40 Farm choice1 Farm choice2 Farm choice3 Farm choice4 Farm choice5 Farm choice6 (* Note: One natural service ram is a choice Suffolk, Texel or Charollais already held on-farm)

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35 Data Sire and dam information DOB, birth weight, sex, litter size, fostering Weights 8 weeks, 90 days, sale Ultrasound measurements Carcase classifications Some dissection and tenderness measurements

36 RamCompare End point: Top 25 sire list Growth Carcase traits Index Comparing rams, irrespective of breed

37 Milestones Finalise flocks Done Ultrasound scanning pilot - Done Confirm semen and find rams - Doing Health visit - Doing Tupping and AI Project partner meeting (November 2015) On-farm & abattoir data collection

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