Sheep farmers in Wales are being invited to join a pilot that will test whether high genetic merit, performance-recorded rams improve hill and maternal flocks. Floctest: EBVs in Action is part of the Welsh Sheep Genetics project, funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) with Innovis and Signet.

A subsidy of up to £1,000 a ram is available for a minimum of two and a maximum of four qualifying performance-recorded rams bought for the study. The project will DNA-test up to 400 ewes, the farm's retained stock rams and all resulting lambs in each flock, comparing lambs sired by the recorded rams with those from existing rams in a blind test, so farmers need not set up single-sire mating groups.

The pilot will track breeding efficiency, scanning and lambing rates, lamb growth and carcass traits such as conformation, fat class and deadweight. Participants get help with data collection and a bespoke Breeding Action Plan to learn how Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) can drive flock improvement. HCC's Dr Eleri Thomas said the scheme seeks a diverse mix of breeds, systems and regions across Wales.

Photo: gailhampshire / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: The Scottish Farmer