New manual to help ewe breeding profits

May 8 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A NEW manual has been launched to help farmers get more profit from ewe breeding.

The English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex) has released the manual, called Improving Ewe Breeding for Better Returns.

It has been written to help sheep farmers select female breeding stock that will better suit their farming system and the intended markets for their progeny.

Published as part of the Sheep Better Returns Programme, the booklet covers all the issues that need to be considered when breeding or buying-in replacements.

Eblex breeding specialist Samuel Boon, who helped put the publication together, said: “Breeding more productive ewes can enhance flock profitability significantly.

“But making the right breeding decisions is not a simple task. There are a wide range of traits to be considered, many of which cannot be assessed visually. In this manual we show how using tools such as EBVs can help.

“For example, we take a close look at the maternal traits that influence the number of lambs reared per ewe – which is a key driver of profitability.

“Selecting rams with high litter size EBVs will increase lamb numbers produced by their female offspring, while selecting for maternal ability will ensure ewes have sufficient milk to rear their lambs.

“Although litter size heritability is not high, significant progress can be made by selecting rams and ewes using the litter size EBV. This is a more reliable way of enhancing prolificacy than simply selecting rams reared as twins or triplets.”

Chris Lloyd, industry development manager for Eblex, said: “We felt it was appropriate to launch this manual at the May Fair, as this is the first sale of the year when buyers will have an eye on the ability of the rams to influence the maternal traits in their flock.” The manual will be posted to all sheep producers signed up to the Sheep Better Returns Programme.

English levy payers, who are not signed up, can obtain a copy by calling 0870 241 8829 or emailing brp@eblex.org.uk.