New point of sale identifiers will allow breeders to spot top rams at sales thanks to a new initiative from Signet Breeding Services.
The gold and silver identifiers are designed to be worn round the neck of a ram and will identify animals in the top 10% and top 25% of their breed, based on index.
High-index rams can increase profitability by £3-4 per lamb. Over a ram’s lifetime, this is an extra £1,000.
The identifiers are part of the ‘Seek out the Standard’ campaign, which encourages breeders to Seek, Check and Review to ensure they buy rams with high genetic merit.
It is hoping the initiative will help breeders spot top rams at a glance and add thousands to their profits.
'Superior genetics'
Emma Steele, Signet Specialist Breeding Adviser, said: “These identifiers will make it easy for ram buyers to spot superior genetics at a glance, which will lead to increased productivity for both pedigree and commercial breeders.
“Once breeders have identified rams with top genetics, they should check the ear tag identity of the animal and review its EBVs with the breeder, using the sale chart or online at basco.org.uk.”
Driving greater on-farm uptake of genetic potential by increasing the use and understanding of estimated breeding values is a key activity in the AHDB Beef & Lamb 2017-2020 strategy.
Signet Breeding Services will be debuting the identifiers at both the Charollais and Hampshire Down premier sales, taking place at Worcester and Stratford respectively on 1 July 2017.
Identifiers will then be distributed to Signet clients in early July to use over the summer.
