RamCompare, jointly funded by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and the Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), is looking for farms to take part in a national sheep progeny testing initiative.
RamCompare is jointly funded by HCC and AHDB to gather performance data from commercial lambs to drive genetic improvements in the sheep industry.
This season, RamCompare needs ‘host’ farms to provide around 300 commercial ewes of a uniform breed type, which are mated to terminal sire rams provided by the project, using single-sire, natural-service mating groups or artificial insemination.
Data collection
Rams selected for use rank within the top 20% of performance-recorded terminal sires and during the project, farms will collect data using electronic identification (EID) from birth to slaughter. This is to ensure that lambs are reared as a single management group within a fast-finishing system.
RamCompare project coordinator Bridget Lloyd commented: “This is a great opportunity for host farms to benefit from using top genetics within their flock. They have the chance to use rams with high health and genetic merit, they will get support to benchmark their flock performance against other project farms and the opportunity to engage with a small group of innovative likeminded farmers.”
To be considered for the project, farms need to be able to meet the following criteria:
- Provide 300 commercial ewes.
- Use high-index, performance-recorded terminal sire rams supplied by the project.
- Ewes must be single-sire mated.
- Data must be collected on lambs using EID from birth to slaughter.
- Lambs will be raised as one management group with a fast-finishing system.
Optional artificial insemination can be organised for 90-120 ewes as part of the project and host farms will receive funding to support data collection.
Glascoed Farm, Aberhafesp, has been a host farm since 2021; farmer Alwyn Nutting explained: “Our interest in using performance-recorded stock began when we selected a ram based on his performance figures some years ago and we then also wanted to achieve the best from our commercial flock. RamCompare enables us to use high genetic merit rams of different breeds with ’high health status’, which are selected on specific traits such as scan weight and muscle depth that suit our commercial system. The genetic potential of these rams means their progeny have higher value carcases with lower production costs through reduced days to slaughter.
“I enjoy being part of this project and urge you to contact HCC to find out more if you would like to get involved!”
Research, development and sustainability executive at HCC Dr Heather McCalman said: “A number of pedigree performance recorded flocks in Wales have submitted rams to this project over the years in order to test their value in a commercial progeny test.
“To hear more about them, the project and genetic improvement in sustainable grassland livestock systems, we will be hosting an open day at Glascoed farm on Thursday 4th September. It will also be a chance to hear about the economic benefits achieved for lamb enterprises using top performance-recorded sires in a commercial system. Save the date and keep an eye out for more information later in the year.”
Nominations for farm recruitment close on Friday 16th May, for more information, contact Dr Heather McCalman at HCC on hmccalman@hybucig.cymru or go to ramcompare.com.
