Nominations open for genetic evaluations project RamCompare

Ahead of its new phase of development, the national progeny test project is looking for rams with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in the top 20% of the breed.

Nominations of natural service sires that are shearlings or stock rams with a known, high health status are welcome, as well as older stock rams provided they are fit and fertile. The project will also purchase frozen semen in batches of 30 doses for use in artificial insemination (AI).

Funded by the levy boards AHDB, HCC, QMS and supported by Agrisearch in Northern Ireland, RamCompare uses supply chain data to inform genetic evaluations. The aim of the project is to enable commercial farmers to select superior performance rams, whose progeny are better able to meet market specifications with improved efficiency, carcase value, and a reduced cost of production.

Rams are selected from a range of terminal sire breeds and used on commercial farms across the UK each year. Progeny are monitored from birth to slaughter the following year, providing essential data to Signet for breeding evaluations.

Launched in 2015, RamCompare has tested 401 terminal sire rams to date, producing more than 38,500 lambs from commercial ewes that were mated using AI or natural service.

Nominations for the 2023 breeding season close on 12^th May 2023. Applicants may use one of the below forms to nominate rams or semen:

• Ram nomination form online link: https://forms.office.com/e/wUEa9mK4rC

• Semen nomination form online link: https://forms.office.com/e/fb6DDUiHNP

Project coordinator Bridget Lloyd said: “This is a great opportunity for breeders to contribute data which can be used to promote their flocks and the rams they have for sale. Updated results will be released in May bringing leading flocks into the spotlight with breed-specific articles and commercial farm case studies in the farming press.

“Improving efficiency and reducing costs are both key drivers for any business and investing in a recorded ram with the right genetic merit can meet both these criteria.”

Samuel Boon, Signet Breeding Services manager, said the team is excited to enter a new phase of development: This year, we’re working to integrate the analysis of abattoir traits into Signet’s routine genetic evaluations and updating the breeding index that is used to identify elite rams.

“These developments are an important step for RamCompare, delivering a key objective that we set when the project was launched. Nominating rams this season will give breeders a unique opportunity to get ahead in this important area of breed improvement,” he added.

For more information including latest results, commercial farms involved and online ram nomination forms, visit www.ramcompare.com or www.signetdata.com or email Bridget.Lloyd@ahdb.org.uk for more details.