New genomic breeding values help sheep producers accelerate flock improvement

Sheep producers can now make earlier, more reliable breeding decisions using our newly updated genomic breeding values for maternal breeds.

Launched today, the new breeding values are available for Lleyn, Exlana, Wiltshire Horn, Romney, Easycare and Wool Shedding Composite sheep.

By combining DNA information with performance records, they provide a more accurate prediction of each animal’s genetic potential, giving breeders greater confidence when selecting replacements and breeding stock.

The evaluation draws on more than 28,000 genotypes generated through levy-funded work and collaborations with breeders, breed societies and research programmes, including Breed for CH4nge and the Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme.

Genomic information strengthens the reliability of predictions for young animals before extensive performance records are available.

It also helps verify parentage, maintain pedigree accuracy and improve comparisons between flocks, particularly for traits that are difficult, expensive or take a long time to measure, such as milk production and longevity.

With more dependable information available sooner, breeders can select and use young rams earlier, shorten the generation interval and increase the rate of genetic improvement within their flocks.

Samuel Boon, AHDB Senior Animal Breeding Manager at Signet, said:

“Being able to predict how a ram’s daughters will perform before they enter the breeding flock is a major advantage for maternal breeding programmes.

“Genomic services go well beyond individual gene tests, such as those for scrapie resistance, by providing a more complete picture of an animal’s genetic potential. They should become a key part of breeding programmes seeking faster, more reliable genetic improvement.”

For young or previously unrecorded sheep, genomic information provides a more reliable starting point in the evaluation. It also improves the accuracy of breeding values for animals with established performance records.

The launch extends Signet’s rollout of genomic breeding values, following their introduction for hill sheep in 2023 and terminal sire breeds in 2024.

Signet evaluates around 35,000 lambs from maternal breeds each year.

The maternal analysis also includes breeds such as the Bluefaced Leicester, Charmoise Hill and Roussin, for which genotypes are being collected to support possible future inclusion.