Content related to the topic: breeding

11 October 2022

Ultrasound scanning guidance by Signet

This manual provides new guidelines for ultrasound scanning of sheep for muscle and fat depth. Ultrasound scanning provides measures for body composition in sheep breeding programmes, designed to enhance carcase yield and conformation, while optimising fatness.

11 October 2022

Terminal Sire Breeding Evaluation manual

In the 25 years since the introduction of across-flock evaluations, more than 3 million terminal sire sheep records have been analysed by Signet Breeding Services. This analysis has been carried out by using a dataset of over 650,000 ultrasound scans for muscle and fat depth, and over 10,000 images from computed tomography (CT). The UK breeds sheep with world-leading terminal sire genetics and has some of the best tools for measuring and analysing sheep in the world.

25 March 2022

The National Maternal Breeding Evaluation

Ewe breeding flocks have been involved in weight recording programmes for over 50 years. The reasons breeders were interested in flock recording back then are the same today. Breeders need an unbiased way to find those rams and ewes in the flock with the best genetic potential.

4 January 2022

Fertility improvements for impact

Strategic dairy farm host, Andrew Gilman, is improving his herd's fertility by using different data metrics to pinpoint the area where changes could have the most impact.

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Breeding Replacement Heifers

Find out about replacement heifers and their importance in overall productivity.

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Vaccinations for a suckler herd

Learn how to use vaccines safely and effectively

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Nutrition for heifers

Successful heifer development is underpinned by nutrition. Feed alone accounts for over 75% of variable costs on most beef farms.

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Managing Heifers

Find out all the key points on managing heifers from vaccines and nutrition to overall welfare.

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Using EBVs and Indexes for selection in the suckler herd

Read about the importance of EBVs and Indexes to meet your end market needs and goals for your herd.

19 August 2025

EBVs and indexes for suckler herds

Find out why good breeding and carefully considered genetics lie at the foundation of any successful beef production system.

19 August 2025

Selecting maternal traits

Find out how to achieve your long-term business and technical goals for your suckler herd.

1 September 2021

Sheep Breed Survey 2021

The Sheep Breed Survey is so much more than a survey of sheep breeds. Successive surveys record what happened in the past, but they also explain how lamb production will change in the future. Changing breeding policies in both the lowland and hill sectors are identified, indicating how the productivity and efficiency of the national flock will change – along with its carbon footprint. Breed Survey data informs the debate for those seeking to market meat based on system/breed/region, aiding the marketing of lighter carcases and guiding the development of new meat products.