September - AHDB Beef & Lambbeefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Update-on-Ra… ·...
Transcript of September - AHDB Beef & Lambbeefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Update-on-Ra… ·...
Update: Consultant WorkshopSeptember 2016
Experimental design• Direct comparison of the progeny of rams from five terminal sire breeds
• Identify those rams with the most profitable genes for commercial sheep production
• Testing 67 rams over two years• Rams chosen were top 20% EBVs for carcase traits
Partnership• Six commercial flocks across GB• 16 organisations• Data collection – 3,000 commercial lambs/year
Not FarmCompare…
….or FarmerCompare
Remember this it Ram Compare
Project aims• Use progeny performance to compare genetically different rams– Use commercially collected data in genetic evaluations– Could help validate Combined Breed Analysis
• Identify genes with the biggest impact on speed of finishing and carcase value
• The degree of difference between breeding lines for new traits ‐ saleable meat yield & tenderness
Data collection ‐ lambing
• Date of birth• Birth type / rear type (single or twin)
• Birth weight / lambing ease• Death• Fostering
Data collection – growth
• 56 day weight• 90‐120 day weight, ultrasound muscle and fat depth
• Pre‐slaughter weights• Ewe body condition score• DNA sample
– Parentage, abattoir checks
Lamb selection• AB Sustain, Dunbia and Randall Parker• 15‐22kg carcase / R 2‐3H • Final weight at 22 week weight• Consistency between farms and abattoirs– Same pre‐slaughter lairage– Interval between killing and cutting
Data collection ‐ abattoir
• Sale weight & carcase weight‐ calculate killing‐out %
• Conformation & fat classification
‐ compare against sires values
• Primal meat yield & tenderness measurements
DNA sampling
RamCompareJoin in at home……
AI Team 2016/2017
AI Team 2016/2017
Sam Boon’s not Kirsty Moore’s
Project outcomes 2017
• Ram comparisons irrespective of breed – using EBVs• November 2017 ‐ lists of the top 25 rams
– Progeny growth rates – Progeny carcase traits – Index
• New EBVs for days to slaughter & carcase weight
Other research: Combined breed analysis
• Currently available in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia
• RamCompare data would help validate a new UK terminal sire evaluation
• Allows multiple breed evaluation. Animals from different breeds can be compared via the resulting EBVs
• UK version available to Signet clients soon
Thank you
Thank You & Questions