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07/08/06
Hampshire Down sheep breeders are taking the lead over all other
breeds recorded by Signet Sire Reference Schemes (SRS). “In
2006, 45% of the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association’s
lamb registrations were SRS recorded, the highest volume of any
breed association or society and a figure that has increase by
100% on the last two years,” according to Signet’s
Maurice Jones. “In addition, these breeders demonstrated
their commitment to progress by forwarding 46 Hampshire Down
rams for Computer Tomography (CT) scanning, the highest number
proportionate to the whole breed among all breeds this season.”
Chris Westlake, of Cadeleigh, Tiverton bred the top ram judged
on conformation on the Signet SRS 2006.
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Furthermore, Signet SRS combined with whole body CT scanning,
the two modern approaches to sheep breeding, are helping the Hampshire
Down Sire Reference Breeding Group to identify quality high index
ram lambs, of which the top 10% will confer superior growth rate
and muscling. To an average early lambing flock of 240 ewes, that
can be easily worth £1,500 to £2,000 over and above
their average counterparts.
“The average Scheme Index for the group has moved up during
the last 24 months from 156 points to 177 points a trend which
reflects the permanent and cumulative effects of genetic progress,” says
Mr Jones. “Scan weight EBV for growth has improved by 0.69kg,
muscle EBV for lean meat content has also improved substantially,
while fat levels have reduced slightly.”
“The top 10% of recorded Hampshire Down lambs truly reflects
how the group has progressed since its formation in 1998. Scan
weight EBV at around 18/19 weeks of age has improved to
5.27kg above the average at the start of the Scheme, while muscle
depth EBV has increased by 2.13 mm. At the same time backfat EBV
has been reduced by -0.54 mm,” says Mr Jones.
“Compared with rams with an average Scheme Index of 177,
those in the top 10% with a Scheme Index of 244 or more will leave
progeny from an early finishing flock worth an additional £6
to £7 per lamb, a huge potential extra profit over four years,
a Hampshire Down’s expected minimum working lifetime,” he
says “These improvements will enable early lamb commercial
producers to either achieve target weight up to two weeks earlier
or add up to 2.5kg to a commercial lamb’s sale weight and
ensure it remains within the target carcase specification. Later
lambing flocks, grass finishing can also expect to see financial
gains of £2 to £3 per lamb”.
HDSBA Signet and breed development chair, Jennifer Atkinson comments: “These
trends reflect the increasing commitment between breeders and the
association to promote the use of SRS Scheme and the intelligent
use of EBVs to improve key commercial traits and position the breed
among the leading terminal sires.” She adds: “High
genetic merit Hampshire Down rams, which were in fact among the
breed champions at the two Royal shows this season, also have excellent
conformation, and will deliver progeny that are not only fast maturing,
but are well muscled; the type of lamb that meets with current
market and consumer requirements.”
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