New booklet launched to offer advice on recording pedigree flocks

Sheep breeders need an unbiased way to find rams and ewes in the flock with the best potential for breeding with the launch of a new booklet.

It is said that it will be a handy guide for farmers as they look towards measuring and boosting the performance of pedigree flocks.

“Performance recording the pedigree flock” has been launched by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) as part of the Hill Ram Scheme, a project designed to bring the latest technology to upland flocks in Wales with the aim of strengthening the Welsh sheep sector through long-term genetic improvement.

The booklet gives advice on how to compile and use data on the ‘vital statistics’ of sheep such as lamb growth rates and ewes’ maternal ability, as well as muscle depth and fat content – which are important measures in producing lambs that meet the consumer’s requirements and improve the bottom line of farm businesses.

More accessible to all sheep farmers

One farmer who has seen an improvement as a result of performance recording is Dyfed Davies of Eisteddfa Fawr in Pembrokeshire who joined the Hill Ram Scheme in 2019.

Dyfed and his family run a flock of Tregaron Welsh Mountain ewes on the Preseli Mountains.

Dyfed explained:

“The biggest hurdle to start performance recording our flock was the extra workload during lambing time.

Thanks to the TSU technology offered by the Hill Ram Scheme, it has made performance recording our flock possible as it has allowed the ewes to continue to lamb on the hill in their natural environment with minimal shepherding.

“Our main traits of focus are the maternal ability of ewes and the eight-week weights of lambs, we are striving to produce both hardy efficient replacement stock and heavier lambs when selling.”

Sean Jeffreys, HCC programme officer working on the Hill Ram Scheme, explained:

“We hope this booklet will provide the information needed to help farmers to performance record their flocks.