Sheep Breeders Round Table online conference - session 2 (AHDB)

Breeding more efficient ewes

Host: AHDB               Chairman: Prof Mike Coffey, Professor of Livestock Informatics

Session 1: Multi-breed evaluation for maternal breeds

Samuel Boon, AHDB, will be talking about recent research and the planned launch of a new, multi-breed evaluation for maternal breeds. The new model will include updated breeding values for parasite resistance and new breeding values for traits like lamb survival, longevity, mature weight and body condition score in an approach that seeks to optimise performance, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the national flock. George Cullimore has a Signet Recorded Lleyn flock located near Bath. George will talk about the opportunities that exist to breed for parasite resistance and the opportunities this new analysis provides for his business.      

Session 2: Enhancing maternal performance – New Zealand

Sharon McIntyre, Genetic Evaluation Technical Manager for Beef and Lamb New Zealand, works closely with SIL (the sheep recording service in NZ) in the creation and delivery of new technical services. She will talk about the latest developments in enhancing maternal performance in NZ, including current thinking with regard to ewe mature size and longevity.